Have I got a job for you.

• Author: Challenger, John A.
• Position: DOLLARS SENSE

NEARLY ONE-THIRD of successful job seekers switch industries, as the key to a finding a position is casting the widest net possible. That means searching beyond the help wanted ads, looking outside of your local job market, and exploring opportunities in industries other than the one in which you were employed previously. We are reaching a point in our economy when certain industries are going through significant changes and, in many cases, simply are not producing as many jobs as in the past. This means that job seekers have to get more creative and think outside the box when it comes to selling their skills in industries where they might not have experience.

The pharmaceutical sector is a prime example of an industry in flux. While demand for new drugs remains strong, mergers, government regulations, and the Internet dramatically have changed the way companies get their latest drugs into the market. As a result, the armies of pharmaceutical sales reps that once were typical have shrunk by nearly 40% since 2005.

If you are a sales rep in the pharmaceutical industry, you still can find well-paying jobs. However, the opportunities have declined significantly and are likely to continue to do so. Consequently, if you are a job seeker in this industry, it may be wise to search out opportunities in closely-related fields, such as medical devices or biotech, or leave the health care sector entirely.

Too many job seekers believe that working for a long time in a specific industry means that they must remain there even though the outlook is bleak for getting a new job. That is a self-imposed limitation that tends to consign the person to a sometimes-depleted job market.

While job seekers can attempt to transfer their skills into well-established industries that may be burgeoning, others may want to go a more unconventional route. Here are some under-the-radar industries for consideration.

Here are five under-the-radar Industries to consider.

Craft anything. Artisan cheeses, craft beer, craft bourbon, etc., are growing in popularity and the number of producers of these goods are expanding rapidly. Approximately 1,250 craft breweries have opened since 2009, according to one estimate. The number of cheese-making establishments has increased by 13% since 2012, the Census Bureau notes. You do not necessarily need special knowledge about making these products. In addition to the people who create the products, all of these newcomers to the burgeoning...