Each industry, company, and project team consists of people doing specific types of work. As you join a new firm or a new group within that firm you will need to leverage what you already know and be prepared to learn new things.
You will have some time prior to accepting a new position when you can prepare yourself for the role. If you want to branch into a new industry or join a new organization there are three areas that you will need to consider as you make the jump.
The three big buckets that will shape your transition are:
- Network
- Knowledge
- Know-how
Let’s do a double click into each one.
1. Network
Your network is your most important asset, but building it often starts too late in peoples’ search for their next job.
There is a difference between information gathering and networking. Not everyone you reach out to for an informational interview will become part of your network, despite them becoming a connection on LinkedIn. Building a few strong relationships by getting to know someone, following up, and having a genuine shared interest will help you build trust and be able to rely more on that person when you have tough decisions to make.
It’s important to learn how networking is viewed in the industry you are planning to join. In consulting, networking is almost considered part of the job and engrained in the culture. There is a high frequency of networking events and connecting with managers and principals is also encouraged. In a research lab, networking is less critical to your success though still an important activity.
It’s also important to identify who is at the center and periphery of the industry. Who are the core players? Who bridges the gaps between industries? Who is more active and may be willing to have a conversation? People who are active on LinkedIn or publish content are more likely to respond to your request and help to connect you if they don’t have time to talk directly.
If you are aiming to switch industries, the goal of building your network is two-fold. First, to learn from people who have already done what you are trying to do. And second, to find people who are like you and have a shared experience (i.e. schooling, jobs, etc.). These conversations will help to shape your path and to focus your attention on your immediate priorities.
2. Knowledge
It’s important to identify what kinds of knowledge you should be building as you start to make the switch between industries. You will likely have limited time to learn new things based on your school and work commitments thus you need to prioritize. For example, it’s likely better to spend your time learning how to structure problems and structure your thinking, rather than learning excel. Structured thinking is foundational whereas excel is a skill that can be learned on the job.
If you do have time to learn industry specific knowledge, it’s important to understand the current state of the industry, and how it is evolving over time. Focus on key concepts and trends rather than details. Start to get a sense for who the big players are and what products and services they offer.
As you search for information it’s valuable to identify which pieces of information will be easier or harder to obtain. This could be due to a paywall, limited context, or lack of time. Also identify the way you plan to consume or interact with information. This could be classes, newsletters, podcasts, books, websites, or through talking to people in the industry.
3. Know-how
In addition to building a network, and learning about the industry, you also need to figure out what you will be doing and if you have the ability to do the job. That is, do you have the skills or can you develop them?
For an entry level position, the most critical skill you can have is the ability to learn quickly. Most large organizations are accustomed to training new employees and are very good at providing people the resources needed for the job. Regardless of the level you join at you will have to learn how to do that job first before moving up.
Regardless of your job, communication skills will be important. In academia you may talk to your boss every few days whereas in consulting you may talk with your boss every few hours. This is a big change. The challenge of adapting to the forms, cadence, and style of communication was something I had heard about from others during networking, and so it was something I was aware of and prepared for before starting in consulting.
You may not get the opportunity to practice the skills you will need if they are not customary in your current industry. However, being aware of what lies ahead and having an initial plan for the changes you will need to make can help to make the transition easier.
Summary
Making a transition into a new industry is challenging. Don’t go at it alone and don’t expect things will be the same.
Every industry has a unique culture, nuance, jargon, and preferences. It’s important to identify how you will need to transform yourself while you prepare to make the jump to something new.
Andrew Kuczmarski is a PhD candidate at the University of Delaware whose passion lies at the intersection of science and business.
Image: Pexels