From the ATDChi Blog

STARTING A NEW CAREER IN TALENT DEVELOPMENT

By: Annette Wisniewski

“You don’t have any relevant experience.”

How do you get work in a new field when employers ask for previous experience? It can be daunting, but there are some strategies to support you in making the transition. I have used each of these strategies successfully at some point during my career.

Extrapolate from Your Current Experiences

Prior to working in L&D, I was a programmer/analyst. The same basic ADDIE principles apply to both L&D and programming. Both involve analyzing the need; designing, developing, and implementing the solution; and then evaluating the results.

What have you already done in your current field that translates to learning and development? Teach? Design training? Create a job aid? Develop a new process or procedure? Whatever it is, document it and be prepared to discuss both how it relates to, and differs from, L&D best practices.

Obtain Credentials

When I wanted to return to the corporate world after being a stay-at-home mom, I realized that I needed to retool. So, I went back to school and earned both my master’s degree in instructional and performance technology and a certificate in workplace e-learning and performance support.

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