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Marketing, finance, legal and IT professionals can use their skills to find leadership positions in healthcare by matching available jobs with their background. Getty Images The healthcare sector is expected to add nearly 1.9 million new jobs a year until 2034, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts. These openings won't just be for doctors and nurses. Entry level positions like dental assistants and massage therapists, as well as back-office and management jobs offer ways for you to get a foot in the door without medical training. Forbes' leadership and career experts share how you can use your experience to pivot to a new career in an essential and growing industry. Matching Your Skills With Industry Needs Marketing, finance, legal and IT professionals can use their skills to find leadership positions in healthcare by matching available jobs with their background. Once you're in the industry, spend your first year researching the healthcare industry more broadly to better understand where you might grow your career. Matching your established background with in-demand functions "makes it easier to apply your core skills and experiences from other industries," writes Forbes contributor Harry Kraemer, the former CEO of Baxter International, a global healthcare company. "Then once you’ve landed a job in healthcare, you can see what areas appeal to you, such as enhancing the patient experience or improving operational efficiency,” he adds. Network with colleagues, family, friends, classmates and others to learn about the industry. "You’re looking for insights into where they work; for example, on the provider side at a health system or on the product side such as a company that makes medical equipment, Kraemer says "What is it like to work there?” Tips For Finding Healthcare Jobs Entry-level jobs can give you a broad view of the healthcare system, leading to new opportunities that match your skills. Getty Images You can use AI tools to help refine your job search and tailor your resume to match available positions. AskChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and other tools about roles you might be interested in applying for. Forbes contributor Kate Wieczorek recommends some useful prompts: What top five skills are needed to be successful in this role? What is missing from this resume to be successful as a [position name]? What are some interview questions for a [position name] in [industry name]? This exercise can help you better understand which roles might be a good fit and how to present yourself as the ideal candidate. The best way to stand out in a competitive job market is to tailor your resume for each position you apply to and to network with other professionals in the healthcare industry. Forbes contributor Colleen Batchelder recommends using AI tools to reduce the time it takes to customize your resume. “The primary issue that hiring managers face when reviewing AI-generated resumes is the lack of originality and customization to meet specific job requirements,” Batchelder writes. “Recruiters want to understand how your skills align with the company’s needs. That means your resume needs to be tailored to the specific objectives of the business. Which leads us to our next tip: Make every resume responsive and relevant to each company.” Consider using industry lingo in your resume as well. Forbes contributor Luciana Paulise offered example terms such as “revenue cycle,” “EHR,” “patient engagement,” and “health information management.” Remember there are a wide range of healthcare companies, from startups to manufacturers to service centers like hospitals. A Deloitte report in 2024 estimated that the femtech sector, primarily startups focused on women’s health, is expected to grow to more than $108 billion in annual global revenue in the next few years. Startup companies often offer marketing and finance roles that don’t require healthcare-specific credentials. However, there are relevant certificates that are less expensive than a university degree. Spending a few months on a new certification may be a good option if you're looking to transition into healthcare while working another job. “Budget oversight, process improvement, team leadership and regulatory compliance are highly transferable skills,” Paulise writes. “Consider certifications in healthcare administration, health information systems, HIPAA compliance or project management.” How To Approach Job Interviews And Networking Whether you want to work at a large corporate employer, a tech-savvy startup or a small, independently-owned business in a traditional healthcare field like dentistry, research the companies in your area in addition to applying to listings that are already online. By looking for regional companies you may find opportunities that are not as easy to surface on large platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. Meeting contacts in person can be more effective than relying only on email and online applications. If you don’t already know someone in your network who could help recommend you for a healthcare job, or introduce you to people who work in the industry, be prepared to hit lots of networking events and make cold calls. Though the odds can be slim, if you break through, it’s important to highlight skills from previous roles that are applicable to healthcare. “To stand out, emphasize your past work leading change management efforts in tech adoption, system integration or digital transformation—particularly involving diverse stakeholders,” writes Forbes contributor Cynthia Pong. “This is especially true for professionals with cybersecurity experience.” Pong also listed other examples such as experience with customer service, human resources and management, all of which may be relevant for healthcare sector jobs. If you’re invited to an in-person interview, your first impression will be especially important. That’s why Forbes contributor Robin Ryan recommends men wear collared shirts and women wear either conservative dresses in a subdued color, or collared shirts and clean slacks. No dramatic makeup and avoid prominent logos on clothing. “Greet the interviewer with a big smile on your face, a firm handshake and look the person directly in the eye when you say hello,” Ryan writes. Pivoting your career starts with research and networking. Forbes contributor Mark Perna recommends asking people you already know “who else should I talk to” in order to get the first warm introductions in the industry. If you don’t know anyone who knows anyone else working in healthcare, try conferences or checking with your alma mater for alumni networks. There are many ways to find your first opportunity and, once you’re working in the field, you can start exploring how to grow your career. Got a tip? Share confidential information with Forbes. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
