The First Step to Take When Changing Careers: Connect with “Weak and Dormant” Ties, Expert Says

By Moon Harper

Jan 20, 2024 02:00 AM EST

The best time to switch careers is at the beginning of the year, when businesses renew hiring budgets, creating more jobs and networking opportunities if you've ever thought of quitting your job and exploring new career paths.

Switching Careers When You Don't Even Know How to Start

According to Yale University's lecturer, Joanne Lipman, recent changes in the job market, like companies dropping degree requirements and increasing remote work opportunities, have simplified transitioning into new fields. If you're considering switching careers but don't know where to start, here's the first step you can take to begin your search:

Connect with "Weak and Dormant" Ties

When changing careers, extending your network beyond your inner circle is essential. According to Lipman, bestselling author of "NEXT! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work," conversations with close friends may not provide the most valuable insights.

Lipman suggests that engaging with "weak" and "dormant" connections is best when seeking a new perspective or opportunities.

What is a "Dormant" Tie?

Dormant ties are individuals you were once acquainted with but lost touch with over time who can view your situation from a different perspective and introduce you to beneficial opportunities.

Compared to weak ties, reaching out to dormant contacts is more comfortable because you share a common experience and history, making reconnecting easier than building a connection from scratch.

What is a "Weak" Tie?

Weak ties are individuals you know casually but aren't close with, like a neighbor or an old classmate. If you find it challenging to find a weak tie, ask friends or family to recommend individuals who are enthusiastic about their jobs or work in a similar field as you. Erin McGoff, a career educator based in New York, suggests chatting with them.

According to McGoff, you can reach out for networking on LinkedIn or Instagram by chatting with text people and saying, "Hey! I'm looking to switch careers and want to learn more about working in tech (or any other industry). Do you know anyone I can chat with?"

Be Specific and Realistic

Having a clear goal in mind and managing your expectations is crucial in any networking conversation. It's uncommon to reach out to a stranger for a coffee chat and walk away with a job offer. Instead, view networking as information gathering, where someone might suggest a potential career path aligned with your interests or identify transferable skills to emphasize at the top of your resume. The more specific you are about what you want in a new career, the more helpful assistance you'll receive. Being particular indicates that you are prepared, serious, and respectful of the other person's time.

Weak ties act as career bridges, offering more accessible access to valuable new information, according to Lipman. Many individuals who successfully changed careers didn't discover new job opportunities through their closest connections but through these weak and dormant ties, which are more powerful than one might realize.