Making a Smooth Career Transition

Making a Smooth Career Transition

Mei LuFounder & CEO

[email protected]

© 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


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


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


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


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


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



#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.”



#5 – Unrealistic ExpectationsSymptoms:

Financial stress or feeling stuckSolution: • Thorough research• Verify assumptions



#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?“



#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



#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


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.



#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



#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.”



#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



#1 – Not Having a Plan (continued)Example:

Action Items!


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


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


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.


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


Q&A


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 –[email protected](425) 247-0999

http://blog.jobfully.com/

mailto:[email protected]

Making a Smooth Career Transition

Career

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