Switching Your Career The secret to successfully switching careers lies in identifying your transferrable skills and creating personal and professional personas that work in your new industry. Getting into the Mind of the Hiring Manager Even when technology plays a role in the hiring process, those systems are programmed by people who have their own ideas, biases, and assumptions about what makes a candidate the best fit for the role. Engage the Likability Effect in the Job Search Research indicates that likability can be equally if not more important than competence when hiring managers are making decisions. Likability also helps you succeed once you land the job: Likable employees get more assistance and earn more promotions. Increase Visibility to Advance your Career Stellar performance is only half of the equation when it comes to professional success. The other half is visibility—ensuring that decision-makers know about your accomplishments and career goals.