Career switch: map your competencies and motivation

Would you like to make a career switch, but don't feel you have the right education or connecting work experience for it? At Puls we hear this said on a regular basis. Now the step to astronaut, surgeon or pilot is usually not realistic, but for many positions more is possible than you might think. One condition is that you can put your competencies and motivation into words. This article (including assignments!) can help you gain more insight into this.

It is proving increasingly difficult for employers to fill vacancies. According to CBS, there are currently more vacancies than job seekers. In practice, we see that employers are adjusting the job requirements in vacancies more often and that the level of education and subsequent work experience play a less important role than before. With an enthusiastic motivation and the ability to put your competencies into words you also have a chance nowadays!

Mapping your motivation

With your motivation, make it clear why you would like to work for the organization and why you are excited about the position.

How can you properly articulate your motivation?

Start by researching the company and the position:

• What appeals to you about the company's culture and values?
• What are the main duties and responsibilities of the position?
• What are the challenges you would like to face?

Write down these points and translate them into concrete examples that you can use in your application.

Mapping your competencies

With your competencies, you demonstrate why you are suitable for the job. Competencies are a combination of your knowledge, skills and personality traits, and indicate what you are good at. What are traits that make you unique? What are the most important experiences you have gained in previous jobs or during your studies?

What are your competencies?

Start by making an overview of your competencies. You will find some examples in this competency list. Choose five competencies that you find typical for yourself. Then think of situations in which you have used these competencies and achieved a successful result.

It may also be interesting to ask some (3 to 5) people around you what competencies they think fit you. Then also ask them to argue why they think that competency suits you. Then you can put these opinions side by side and reflect on them. The following questions can help: "Which competencies are mentioned most often?", "What are the similarities/differences?", "To what extent does your self-image match the image others have of you?

Once you have a clear picture of your competencies, you can see to what extent they match the job you want to apply for. Imagine that you have always worked as a store assistant and you want to make the transition to customer service, then customer focus, conflict management, creativity (solution-oriented thinking) and listening may be competencies that you can demonstrate from your current work experience that you are suitable for a customer service position.

In short, don't be immediately put off by the job requirements but give yourself a chance to explore whether you still qualify for the position.

Professional help

Do you need further professional help to identify what your motivation and competencies are? Puls offers a wide range of services that can help you find out what you are good at and what makes you happy! Check out the services on our website.