Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023 - 59

L&D CAREERS
AMY DUVERNET,
PH.D., CPTM
NAVIGATING L&D CAREER TRANSITIONS:
TIPS FROM L&D PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW
I recently had the opportunity to
lead a Certified Professional in
Training Management (CPTM™) alumni
roundtable focused on transitioning
your learning and development (L&D)
career. The roundtable was chock
full of sage advice, lessons learned
and poignant questions about how
to be successful during career shifts.
Whether you're a seasoned L&D
professional looking for a change,
you've recently experienced a layoff
or termination, or you're a newcomer
interested in finding your footing in
L&D, transitioning your career comes
with a set of common challenges that
can feel difficult to navigate. As such,
I'm dedicating this column to sharing
some of the wisdom shared during
that roundtable.
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
First, ask yourself, " What aspects
of L&D am I passionate about? Are
there specific industries or sectors
that intrigue me? " Next, survey your
extended L&D network - review
their job titles and talk to them about
what's great (and not so great) about
the work they do. Be sure to assess
your current skills, strengths and
weaknesses in the context of the
possibilities. Training Industry offers a
self-assessment based on our Training
Manager Competency Model; this is a
great starting point if your career goals
relate to L&D management.
Once you've identified your career
goals and your current skills, you're
ready to start applying for jobs. But
don't neglect research at this stage.
Investigate the company, its mission
and vision statements, its annual
report and any recent press releases.
Consider the implications of each for
its L&D department and initiatives.
2. LEAN INTO YOUR STRENGTHS
AND PREPARE EXAMPLES
One of the biggest challenges
transitioning careers relates to drawing
connections between previous
experiences and new positions. To
identify your transferable skills, you
have to understand your current skill
set and then compare your strengths
against the skills needed in the job
role you're seeking. Make a list of
your skills and review the list sideby-side
with the job posting to map
out connections. Don't be afraid to
think outside of the box either -
some of your experiences may not
seem relevant (e.g., volunteering in
your child's classroom), but it's worth
considering the unique skills and
strengths you demonstrated (e.g.,
managing competing needs and
demands, assessing different skill
levels and adjusting accordingly, etc.).
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED
IF YOU FACE REJECTION
ALONG THE WAY.
Once you've got your list of transferable
skills and experience, you can prepare
examples and practice conveying those
examples in a clear and compelling
way that emphasizes their relevance.
Do this with colleagues, friends and
family and at networking events.
3. PRESENTATION MATTERS: SEEK
FEEDBACK FROM YOUR NETWORK
Finally, don't neglect presentation. By
designing an impactful resume and a
LinkedIn profile that showcases your
transferable skills, you'll have a better
chance of standing out from other
applicants. Make sure to ask trusted
colleagues and friends to review
your resume, cover letter and other
application materials and consider
investing in a service or coach who
can help by offering feedback on your
application package.
As you're applying for new positions,
don't forget to tailor your applications
and cover letters to the specific role
you're applying for. By customizing
your messaging, you can demonstrate
how your skills and experiences are a
perfect fit for the role you're pursuing.
I hope that these tips help to get you
started in your career transition! One
final tip: Don't be discouraged if you face
rejection along the way. Transitioning
careers can be challenging, but
persistence and adaptability are key. Use
each rejection as an opportunity to refine
your approach and continue learning.
Amy DuVernet, Ph.D., CPTM, is the
director of training and development
at Training Industry, Inc., where
she oversees all processes related
to Training Industry's courses for
training professionals, including program
development and evaluation. Email Amy.
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Training Industry Magazine - Fall 2023

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