Every week, NETSHARE hosts Ask the Coach, a phone-in coaching session with leading career management experts. Here is a post contributed by last week’s coach Kim Batson, The CIO’s Coach.
Are you actively or passively in a job search and considering changing industries? How do you compete with others who have prior experience in that industry?
It’s all about ‘connecting the dots’ for a potential employer.
You might consider industries that are similar to the one you are in now, but different. For instance, if you are in the banking industry, you might consider the brokerage industry or credit/charge card industry. A connection can be made in their minds that your expertise would be valuable to them, and for you the change could be enough to recharge your career.
You might also consider industries that are entirely different from yours, but where your skill set is highly valued and needed. For instance, if you are a technology executive with expertise in transforming supply chains in a manufacturing environment, your skill set is also highly sought after in other industries, for example, wholesale or retail. To compete here, you want to make sure that you are highlighting the business impact of your successes and not just industry-specific accomplishments.
You also might consider reaching out to companies and organizations that align with your passions and values. Passion can account for much in the hiring decision. If you are passionate about the environment, consider companies that are producing products and services that support the environment in some way, such as solar energy companies. If you are passionate about the outdoor recreation, consider marketing yourself to the outdoors industry. In these instances, you need to highlight your passion, and any related activities that show your involvement in them, in your cover letter and other career documents.
Once you’ve decided which industries you are going to focus on, prepare your documents, your personal brand and your value proposition in a way that is powerful and makes it easy for potential employers to connect the dots.
Finally, use the right research and job search methods to uncover challenges, leads and opportunities within your target industry. Recruiters are probably not the best method to use if you are changing industries since they are usually hired to dig deep for talent within the same industry. Researching, networking, informational interviewing, and direct company contact will be more successful. Avoid electronic screening mechanisms since you most probably won’t have the buzzwords of the new industry on your resume. Begin to connect within the new industry instead – read the magazines they are reading, attend the conferences they attend, and get to know the players beforehand, if you can.
Remember, it’s all about connection!
