Recently, someone told me about a young woman who’s looking to change jobs. She’s taken a course in the field she’s interested in, but hasn’t made the move yet. Here’s what I would share with her.

1. Remember that most hiring is done because of 3 things: 1) likeability, 2) competency, and 3) potential. Yes, people tend to want to hire people who have done it before, but if you’re willing to go into entry roles, everyone is equally “unqualified.”  I once had a college graduate apologize for not knowing the financial industry. He’s not supposed to: instead, he shows leadership through holding part time jobs, being football captain, and having a great GPA. Even if you don’t have the exact experience, you can talk about your similar experiences.  The hiring manager will make the connection.

2. You already know a lot more than you think. It’s easy to learn technical details: what this thing is called, what the process is. The attributes which make you successful: likeability, teamwork, good communications skills, analytical thinking, detail orientation…you probably had those in grade school. They’re important wherever you go.

3. Chase the experience, not the money. Once you get there, you just want to learn. The money will come.

4. When you get the new job, leave on great terms. Give appropriate and flexible notice, transition your responsibilities to the new person. Don’t leave your old group in the lurch.

5. Every new challenging job will be scary. Every big move I ever made? I was convinced that it would be the one to torpedo my career and I’d have to move back with my parents. You know what? Didn’t happen. I knew a lot more than I thought I did, and what I didn’t know, I learned.  Scary is a good indicator you’re stretching yourself, not just jumping from one thing to another.