Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers -- and Seize Success

by Dawn Graham

Overview

Are you stuck in an unsatisfying job or feel like you’re in the wrong profession? An industry that just isn’t a fit? Don’t just settle but succeed in the right career!

Get unstuck and land a new career—one you’re genuinely passionate about. Switchers helps you realize that dream. Written by celebrated career coach and psychologist Dr. Dawn Graham, the book provides proven strategies that will get you where you want to go.

The first step is to recognize that the usual rules and job search tools won’t work for you. Resumes and job boards were designed with traditional applicants in mind. As a career switcher, you have to go beyond the basics, using tactics tailor-made to ensure your candidacy stands out.

In Switchers, Dr. Graham reveals how to:

• Understand the concerns of hiring managers
• Craft a resume that catches their attention within six seconds
• Spotlight transferable skills that companies covet
• Rebrand yourself—aligning your professional identity with your new aspirations
• Reach decision-makers by recruiting “ambassadors” from within your network
• Nail interviews by turning tough questions to your advantage
• Convince skeptical employers to shelve their assumptions and take a chance on you
• Negotiate a competitive salary and benefits package

Packed with psychological insights, practical exercises, and inspiring success stories, Switchers helps you leap over obstacles and into a whole new field. This guide will help you pull off the most daring—and fulfilling—career move of your life!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400238095
Publisher:	AMACOM
Publication date:	11/28/2022
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dawn Graham, Ph.D. is one of the nation's leading career coaches. She is Director of Career Management for the Executive MBA Program at The Wharton School, where she counsels business leaders on making strategic career choices. A licensed psychologist and former corporate recruiter, she hosts SiriusXM Radio's popular weekly call-in show Career Talk (Channel 111).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Preface xv

Part I Choose Your Switch 1

1 Are You a Switcher? The "Magic" Equation for Seizing Career Success 3

2 The Psychology of the Job Search (and How to Use It to Your Advantage!) 23

Part II Clarify Your Plan A 49

3 If You Don't Invest, Why Should They? Figure Out Your Plan A 51

4 Change Isn't Linear: Mapping Your Path to a Career Switch 71

Part III Craft Your Brand Value Proposition 83

5 (Re)Brand or Be Branded: Craft Your Professional Identity 85

6 Your Career Story: Where Reason Meets Intuition 103

7 What Got You Here Won't Get You There: The Proactive Job Search 119

Part IV Create Ambassadors 143

8 No Excuses: Your Network Really Is Your Net Worth 145

9 The New Way to Network: Create Ambassadors 159

Part V Keep the Ball in Your Court 181

10 How to Never Have a Bad Interview: What Are They Really Asking? 183

11 It's Not Fair (It Really Isn't!) 207

12 Always Sleep on It: Get Ready to Negotiate! 221

13 Never Look for a Job Again (Get Recruited!) 235

Appendix: How to Choose a Career Coach 249

Notes 253

Index 261

Editorial Reviews

'Changing careers can be stressful. But Dr. Dawn Graham's brilliant new book puts you in control of the process. She provides the proven, research-based strategies that will help you stand out, get noticed, and get hired.' —Dorie Clark, author of Reinventing You and Stand Out, and adjunct professor, Duke University's Fuqua School of Business?

'It is rare to find a career book that is both inspiring and practical, but Dr. Dawn Graham has hit the bullseye with Switchers. This is a must-read for anyone who could use the help of step-by-step tools and strategies toward changing their career. Perfect book to give to someone who needs a career switch or is currently experiencing one.' —Dr. CK Bray, CEO, Adaption Institute, and author of Best Job Ever

'The insight in Switchers is exceptional. It's like reading Dr. Dawn's radio show and feeling like she's talking directly to you! With this book you'll get candid and very expert advice on making a career change. Having helped thousands of people find new careers, I promise you, this book is a must-read.' —Tom Gimbel, Founder and CEO of LaSalle Network

'Switchers is one of the best career books that I've read in years. Dr. Graham explains the little-known psychology behind the hiring process; she helps demystify the job search process as a whole; and her insights and truly meaningful advice will help career-changing job searchers at all levels!' —David Cooley, Director, Alumni Career Services, and Career Coach at UCLA Anderson School of Management

'A successful career change requires both an internal search and an external search. Switchers is that unique guide that helps you to manage both dimensions. As a psychologist, Dawn can help you overcome internal obstacles and fears of change. As a career coach to business professionals, Dawn also gives you the tools to convince an employer that you are the best person for the job, even if you don't have the experience specified in the written job description.' —Roy Young, CEO and Founder of Beyond B-School

'Changing jobs today is hard enough. But if your goal is a complete career change, you won't stand a chance using the same-old job search techniques. Dawn Graham's tested, step-by-savvy-step process for making a life-changing career switch is as real as it gets. There are no instant, phony, click-your-way tricks here. Graham will put you to work—using detailed methods rooted in her expertise in executive recruiting, coaching and psychology—and, ultimately, Switchers will put you to work in the new career you want. Career change is a huge ask. But Graham shows you exactly how to make it real.' —Nick Corcodilos, asktheheadhunter.com

'I have people come to me all the time for guidance in changing careers. Sometimes they know what they want to do and sometimes, they just want something different, but they don't know what. Regardless, they don't know how to switch gears. Dawn Graham helpfully goes through the whole process—including figuring out just what you're willing to give up for the change (Are you willing to take a pay cut? Move?); how to get around the ever-present applicant tracking systems; and how to take responsibility for your own career. If you're looking to change careers, but just not sure how to go about it, this book will be immensely helpful. Switching careers isn't easy, but it is possible.' —Suzanne Lucas, The Evil HR Lady

'If you want to be a career 'switcher', you absolutely must read this book. Dawn Graham has it all. She is a former recruiter, a professor at the Wharton School and the host of Career Talk on Sirius XM. If she doesn't know how to impart strategies for your career change, I don't know who can. Among other things, Dawn shows you how to first craft you plan before you execute (because once you're clear on the goal it's far easier to make it come true); she explains how to network your way into your new career with 'Ambassadors'(which is essential in today's job market); and she tells you what you need to know to nail the interview. Best of all, Dawn will also make you smile as you learn. Don't walk—run to get this book. You'll thank me later!' —Abby Kohut, career consultant and author of Absolutely Abby's 101 Job Search Secrets

'So few people are in jobs they truly love, depriving them of a truly fulfilling career experience, and the world of their gifts and talents. In a fun and engaging style, Graham offers readers the tools to stand out from the pack and bridge that gap.' —Randy Street, President at GH Smart and coauthor of New York Times Bestseller Who

From the Publisher