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is it possible to change industries?

post #1 of 37
3/30/11 at 8:59pm
Thread Starter 
Pretty straightforward question. Right now, how possible is it to change industries entirely?
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post #2 of 37
3/30/11 at 9:06pm
I've done it, 3-4 times, depending on how you look at one of the moves. it depends on how you leverage it - I basically went from training people to use arms, to selling the services, to selling used military medical equipment, to selling medical equipment, to selling software, to selling communications systems, back to medical equipment, then back to communications systems.
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post #3 of 37
3/30/11 at 9:08pm
I think it largely depends on they type of role. Things like sales, accounting, IT jobs might have the same core duties regardless of what the company actually does.
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post #4 of 37
3/30/11 at 9:46pm
Yes, I have gone from banking to consulting to marketing analytics.
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post #5 of 37
3/30/11 at 9:53pm
Changing industries is definately possible. Changing job functions might be harder.
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post #6 of 37
3/30/11 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 
Interesting point. If my current job function is essentially tied to a specific industry, am I screwed?
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post #7 of 37
3/30/11 at 9:59pm
Tell us what it is, and what your core skills are.
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post #8 of 37
3/30/11 at 9:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milpool View Post
Interesting point. If my current job function is essentially tied to a specific industry, am I screwed?

you have to figure out how to explain the transition.
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post #9 of 37
3/30/11 at 10:02pm
I like the rule that with a move you can either change jobs or change industries.

Almost impossible to do both at the same time and sometimes just accomplishing any change requires a new degree.

Is it possible to change jobs within your industry, with a longer term goal of switching out of industry with your new job title?
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post #10 of 37
3/30/11 at 11:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reborn View Post
I like the rule that with a move you can either change jobs or change industries.

Almost impossible to do both at the same time and sometimes just accomplishing any change requires a new degree.

Is it possible to change jobs within your industry, with a longer term goal of switching out of industry with your new job title?

Ugh. That rule is what is making my search for an exit strategy so miserable.

I have tried several times to switch roles, and it isn't working. Interviews are not going well. I keep getting passed away from the position I apply for and back towards the position I have. So I think the only way out is to change industries so that I'm not seen as more valuable in my current role (math/physics geek, med device stuff).
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post #11 of 37
3/30/11 at 11:02pm
Do you really want to do something new or do you want to get paid more money to do what you're currently doing?
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post #12 of 37
3/31/11 at 12:05am
what kind of math/physics geek
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post #13 of 37
3/31/11 at 6:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alliswell View Post
Do you really want to do something new or do you want to get paid more money to do what you're currently doing?

This is the exact problem I have with interviewers. They either don't believe I want out or don't believe I'm capable of doing something else.

Why is that so hard to believe?
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post #14 of 37
3/31/11 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scientific View Post
what kind of math/physics geek

The kind that is ready for a change.
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post #15 of 37
3/31/11 at 8:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milpool View Post
This is the exact problem I have with interviewers. They either don't believe I want out or don't believe I'm capable of doing something else.

Why is that so hard to believe?

Please make your case as articulately as you can to us here. Wanting to change is nice, but there has to be a more compelling reason.
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