Be upfront. When gunning for a job that’s a step down, don’t be coy about your intentions. The hiring manager will probably be concerned that you won’t feel challenged or stick around long in the role. Avoid this by remaining clear and upfront with the hiring manager — tell them exactly why you want to take the job, and help them understand your motivation.

Try an internal transfer. If you’re currently employed, an internal transfer may be more successful than sending out your resume to other companies that don’t know you. Most companies don’t want to lose employees, even if it means letting them move around and take on other roles. You already have valuable knowledge of about how the company works, and sometimes you can bring more to the table.

Network. Try reaching out to your professional network to help you get a foot in the door at a new company. When you have someone on the inside vouching for you, it will go a long way in terms of the hiring manager’s confidence in you as a candidate. Don’t get discouraged. If you aren’t having any success with sending your resume out or reaching your internal network, reconsider your approach. Talk to people in the industry you’re interested in to get a better sense of what skills and experience you need to highlight on your resume.