Post on 10-May-2015
description
Making a Smooth Career Transition
Mei LuFounder & CEO
Jobfully.commei@jobfully.com
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
About me
• MS in Engineering (CMU) and MS in Computer Science (UPenn)
• Software Engineer -> Software Engineering Manager• MicroStrategy, M.I.T., Qpass, etc.• Stay-at-home mom• Returned to work - Recruiting for SF Bay Area tech
companies• Startup founder - Jobfully.com, web-based intelligent
job search software
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Career Transition
Definition:“Any major change in work-role requirements or work context, and as a process that may result in a change of job, profession, or a change in one’s orientation to work while continuing the same job.” - H. Ibarra, INSEAD
Role -> Team -> Group -> Division -> (Company) -> Industry -> Sector
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Big or Small
Before:Battery Commander -> Third Division Infantry ->
Second Battalion -> Special Operations Command -> (US Army) -> Armed Forces -> Public
After:Global Employer Brand Leader -> Marketing -> Global ->
HR -> (Amazon) -> Consumer Internet / Software -> Private
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Big or Small
Before:Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) -> Ad
Center -> Search -> Online Services -> (Microsoft) -> Software -> Private
After:Software Development Engineer (SDE) -> Core OS ->
Client Products -> Windows -> (Microsoft) -> Software -> Private
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Why is it Harder than We Think?
No more “repeatable” success formula:-> Less predictable results
Others are skeptical, especially decision makers:Bigger imagination gap = Bigger business risks
Need to build more trust:-> It takes more effort and time
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#7 – Shallow ResearchSymptoms:
Later regrets – “not exactly what I had in mind”Solution:• Talk to people in your target job or at your target companies• Talk to people who made similar transitions• Try it out for realExamples:
Volunteer, job shadow, internship, freelance, short-term projects
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#6 – Unclear GoalsSymptoms:
People don’t know how to help youSolution:
Have clearly defined goalsExample:
“I want to get into non-profit work.” too vague “I want to manage fund raising for a health-related non-profit organization.”
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#5 – Unrealistic ExpectationsSymptoms:
Financial stress or feeling stuckSolution: • Thorough research• Verify assumptions
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#5 – Unrealistic Expectations (continued)Example:
An entry-level web developer gets ~$60k/year vs. senior-level at $120+k/year.Assumption – “I should be able to get a Sr. Web Developer position within 6 months after completing a web development certification program.”Reality Check – “Would hiring managers disregard my 12-year experience as a user experience researcher and consider me as an entry-level web developer?“
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#4 – Too Big a StepSymptoms:
Difficult for you to achieve and for others to believe
Solution: One change at a time
Example:Stay in the same role while moving into a new industry
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#3 – No MilestonesSymptoms:• Can’t measure progress• Unsure if it’s do-ableSolution: • Have well-defined intermediate steps to reach end
goal • Perform your target job on a small scale first, then
gradually grow into a full-time role
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes#3 – No Milestones (continued)Example:Becoming a personal financial advisor
1. Perform financial planning for friends or family with simple financial planning needs, such as graduating college or getting married. Get referrals.
2. Perform financial planning for friends or family with more complicated needs, such as retiring or expecting a child. Get referrals AND get paid.
3. Perform financial planning for people you didn’t know before and get paid at market rate or higher.
4. Get enough business from referrals and other leads to be making a living.
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#2 – Unconvincing StorySymptoms:• Lack of evidence to support succeeding in the new job• It's not clear to others whether you are qualifiedSolution:• Help people envision you succeed in the new role with
clear, memorable stories• Highlight your core strengths and transferrable skills
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#2 – Unconvincing Story (continued)Example:
“In my last project, I simplified our audit process and reduced 1/3 of the high-skilled personnel hours while maintaining the same strict standards. My work resulted in $300k annual savings. I can help your company streamline the current design review process by reducing unnecessary complexity.”
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#1 – Not Having a PlanSymptoms:
“Yo-yo” progressSolution:• Have a strategy, timeline and framework to make
constant progress• Spend time and energy on things that matters• Create accountability
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Top Career Transition Mistakes
#1 – Not Having a Plan (continued)Example:
Action Items!
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Action Items (1 of 3)• Identify and close gap
– Hard skills: training or certification programs– Real-world experience: volunteer, internship,
freelance, etc.– Network, network, network:
• People in your target role• People in your target profession• People in your target companies• People in your target industry• People who made similar transitions• Mentors or coaches
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Action Items (2 of 3)• Test and benchmark your competency level
– Know the KPI (key performance indicators) of the new role
– Do the new work and measure your results– Continuous learning and improving– Document your results– Get testimonials and referrals
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Action Items (3 of 3)• Test your market value
– Will people trust you to do it?– Can you get paid for it?– Are you clearly articulating your value?
• 20-second pitch• LinkedIn profile• Resume / cover letter• Etc.
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Wrapping Up
• Use the list of top mistakes as a checklist– Are you implementing the solutions?
• Develop a plan– Are you including ALL three groups of action items?
• Iterate on your plan– Do– Learn– Verify or Modify
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Q&A
© Jobfully, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.
Resources & Contact Info
Visit Jobfully blog – blog.jobfully.com• Read and comment• Email me if you have topics or questions• Tell your friends about these free resources
How to reach me –mei@jobfully.com(425) 247-0999