How To Switch To a New Career (Even If You're Not Qualified)

If you want to change to a new career, but lack the conventional backround and qualifications for the new role, you may think that you don't have a chance in getting it.

Well, the fact is... in some situations... you'd be right. You will need a particular credential, qualification or body of experience to be qualified. But then again, what if your lack of qualifications is actually a red herring? In fact, you may have a condition I call "credentialitis". Basically, you erroneously think that you must go back to school, or do some course, or get some credential, in order to be qualified for that career change, or to get that new job or promotion.

I always considered qualifications and credentials to be short-hand for skills and knowledge... but not the only "short-hand" and not necessarily indicative of the most valuable skills and knowledge. For example, what if you're an entrepreneur who left college before graduating, launched a super-successful business which you ended up selling, and now want to be the sales manager of a large, established company? If you have credentialitis you may doubt your ability to become the sales manager of a large company. You might even consider getting a college degree so you are "qualified".

But will studying really be all that beneficial, considering you've already acquired hands-on business and sales skills? Couldn't you present yourself as someone with unequalled business experience, skills and knowledge - someone who has built and sold a company, as opposed to someone with theoretical knowledge acquired from a business school?

Again, I'm not questioning the need for formal education when it comes to making career changes like engineering or teaching. But in many cases you already possess the most important skills and knowledge needed for the career change you want to make... and anything else you can learn on the job, by purchasing a book or by attending a half-day workshop. I know, I know - you may be confident in your own abilities, but how do you convince a potential employer who wants to see that certificate, diploma or degree? After all, it seems our entire society has credentialitis.

Well, although it's difficult to change people's beliefs and attitudes... it's definitely worth attempting. Especially if it saves you time and money and gets you the job you deserve. Consequently, I urge you to first be clear on what skills, abilities, knowledge and talents you bring to the new career. Do you honestly think they're enough? If so, the next step is to get confident in communicating these qualities to a recruiter or potential employer.

But if you still wonder whether some kind of formal education might be necessary, answer the following: Would you be doing it to learn something new and valuable... or to prove that you already know something?

You see, overcoming credentialitis is not only likely to save you money, time and energy on formal education... but it's also likely to bring greater self-confidence and happiness. And if someone ever questions your "lack of qualifications" you can simply explain how your unique background has armed you with knowledge and skills that are superior to those you could get from studying.

Of course, not everyone will be satisfied with an explanation like this. In that case, you need to ask yourself whether working for people and companies that have credentialitis is really for you. And when it's your turn to recruit people - try not to be too pre-occupied by credentials yourself. By all means pay them due respect, but don't let them overshadow legitimate real-world experience that may actually be more valuable.