Nowadays more workers are committed to career change: 56% are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months. And it’s way easier to do that within a current company, especially in large enterprises. Kate Bakhareva, CEO of the executive search agency Be-EXEC, explains how to make this transition with confidence and ease.
Let’s see what motivates people to change professions.
For some, it’s an opportunity to get a more in-demand and higher-paying specialty, for others, it’s about gaining new experiences and knowledge. In any case, such a decision can benefit your career strategy.
Working in different fields allows you to expand your skill set and develop cross-functional competencies. The latter is particularly valued in the job market, especially today when the number of businesses and roles across various disciplines are only increasing.
In this article, we’ll be talking about:
· Reasons to stay with the current company
· What business thinks about switching roles
· First steps for the shift inside the company
· Pecularities of the adaptation period
· Pitfalls of a new role
No Resignations?
Changes do not necessarily have to be drastic. Instead of looking for a job or internship in a new company, why not try to make a cross-functional transition in your current place?
Anyone who has applied for jobs with no acquaintances or outside referral programs knows how often CVs go unanswered. The situation is even worse for entry-level positions.
The chance that your candidacy will at least be considered in your current company is usually higher — it’s hard to ignore someone you sit next desk in the office, right? An interview in a familiar environment with people you know is likely to be less stressful, and onboarding will be faster. After all, you already know the company’s general rules and global goals.
To make a well-informed decision, you can conduct preliminary research.
- Learn more about the department in general, its challenges.
- Communicate with your future team. When at a corporate party, your colleague is more likely to tell you about your potential arrogant boss or unstructured processes in the team than a recruiter.
- Find out what skills you already need to have for the new position and which ones you need to improve.
What Does Business Think About Switching Roles Inside The Company?
Re-educating your employee is often easier and cheaper than seeking a new one in the market (especially when it comes to positions with rare competencies).
Here are some reasons for that:
- Such a candidate is already loyal to the company.
- They are familiar with the corporate culture.
- They understand company’s internal processes.
- It’s convenient to quickly gather feedback from colleagues and form a realistic understanding of the candidate’s experience, skills, and personal qualities.
In perspective, a person who has worked in different departments can gain a deeper understanding of how the business operates and become an irreplaceable employee. Also, during mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring, cross-functional transitions can help avoid duplicating functionality.
Many companies are willing to give employees a chance to change their career profile. However, in practice, well-established transition programs are really rare. Each case is unique, and offering a unified algorithm that works for everyone is difficult enough.
First Steps To Take To Make A Shift Inside The Company
Cross-functional transitions come with real difficulties, and employee motivation plays a key role here. You have to be planning your path on your own.
- Notify your current manager of your desire to switch departments — the transition should not be a surprise. Remember that they can be asked to give your characteristics, so maintaining good relationships is important. Discuss beforehand that in theory, you can return back if the new field disappoints you.
- Prepare in advance for negotiations with HR. Clearly articulate why you believe you are suitable for this role, which qualities and skills that you’ve gained in your current position will help you become a good specialist in another field.
- Research similar vacancies, carefully study the requirements and the salary ‘plug.’ Talk to the new colleagues and find out what their typical workday includes — their answers may differ from the position description.
- Be sure to mention what you have already done to learn the profession: courses, being a mentee, books read, and cases studied — anything that demonstrates your commitment. Explain why you want to stay and try yourself in a new role specifically in this company. Show yourself as a loyal employee.
One conversation is likely not enough — it’s just the beginning. Be prepared for real hiring with interviews and a test assignment. After all, there may be several candidates for the position among your colleagues too.
Adaptation Period
When taking a new position, do not overlook onboarding and the need for all the same actions as when switching companies. Explore the standards, attend kick-off meetings, and others. Together with the new manager, define checkpoints and how you will evaluate the results.
If possible, ask for a mentorship program.
Remember the main thing: the responsibility falls first and foremost on you, and proactivity is important at every stage.
Take your time to get used to the new people. If you have already worked in the company, it is quite likely that you are already familiar with your new colleagues and managers, and you may have even formed friendly relationships with some of them.
However, socializing at corporate events and going for coffee is not the same as working together. Maintain subordination and try not to rely on friendship benefits.
Pitfalls Of A New Position
There are not only advantages but also downsides to starting a new career in the same place.
Most likely, you already have some reputation in the company. If it’s clean, it will only benefit you, but if you have acquired a reputation as a troublemaker or not the most responsible person, getting rid of it will not be easy.
You also can’t embellish your resume. After all, to confirm or refute the information, colleagues just need to step into the next office.
Even if you do everything right, transitioning to another field may not work out for various reasons.
- It’s difficult to be one hundred percent sure that something is your forte until you try it. Be prepared for such a turn, plan ‘escape routes’ in advance, and don’t burn bridges. Don’t perceive it as a failure: you have gained new experience and skills that will be useful.
- It is also important to understand that changing fields is not a cure for burnout itself. Remember that burnout is a real illness. If you are already there, the need to adapt to a new role may only make it worse, so better to take a break first and work with a specialist, and then make a decision.
In A Nutshell
Any life changes do not happen out of fatigue or hatred of the current situation. You must have an understanding of where you want to go and a strong desire to be there.
Cross-functional transition is a long-distance run, so to have enough motivation and strength for it, try to choose a field that truly excites you.
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