SEEKING A JOB IN A NEW INDUSTRY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE INTIMIDATING

Many have concerns about finding a new job in an industry that they have not worked in before.  they are concerned about the value of their skills crossing over to the new industry.  Many are concerned about whether the new industry will see how their skills are applicable to a new position dealing with new products, new technology, new markets or new products.

Professionals change industries and change careers all the time.  It is because they have let the new industry know where they, as a candidate (not relying on the prospective employer to do so) have seen value in their skills and background, that these job seekers get interviews and job offers.

Following is a situation, brought to my attention by a reader of "The Job & Career Search Maven", that illustrates this point.

Note the advice I give him.  It could have value for you too.

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Gordon, 

I have a specific question for you, pertaining to my own search.

I have 30 years progressive operations management experience in the pulp and paper industry, including the last 14 years as a General Manager/Mill Manager over progressively larger paper mill operations for 2 different major industry corporations.

I have oriented one leg of my search strategy specifically outside the paper industry, since most segments of that industry in the US are showing negative or zero growth over the past several years.

While I have always considered my technical background (BS and MS in Pulp and Paper Tech - a specialization of Chem Eng) and leadership experience to be easily transferable, at least among the continuous process, chemical based industries, I am becoming frustrated in my attempts to target and apply for operations management positions in the chemical industry.

I am getting little or no response at all to my inquiries in that direction. I am at a loss as to why I am not generating any interest at all with the chemical producers. Do you have any thoughts on why this is, and how I can convince them of the value of my paper industry experience as it pertains to their operations? Thanks for your help.

R H

Dear R H,

I would suggest a three-fold approach:

1) Take the focus off your Pulp and Paper industry experience, and put it on your management in a chemical-related industry. Do this with a summary at the beginning of your resume. It need only be 3-4 sentences...not long.

2) In bullet points under each job, highlight accomplishments and involvements that are directly chemical related. Be as detailed as you can, giving results and effects you had on the organization or operations.

3) Apply directly to chemical companies you are interested in working for. DO NOT send your resume to HR. Send it to such people as the Operations Manager, Director of Operations, VP of Manufacturing or President...you get the idea, I think. They will see the value in your skills and how they relate to chemical operations better than HR.

I hope this helps. I will go into this in more detail soon in a future post.

Gordon
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This approach is applicable to any industry.  Take out "Pulp and Paper" and "Chemical-based Industries" and substitute any two industries you like.  The principles will be the same.

Try it.  You may be surprised how effective it is. 

If you have any questions, let me know at execmgmt.search@gmail.com.