Reply to: Changing work sector

[ladymuck]

Just getting my first gig in retail. I have zero supply chain management skills but my general skillz is bad enough regardless

[northernladuk]

I'm no expert, but I think you're supposed to stick it in.

Me neither but I thought you needed to be able to stick it out long enough to stick it in.

[WTFH]

In the last 25 years I've had clients in the following sectors:

Medical Devices/Pharmaceutical
IT
Manufacturing
Construction
Food & Beverage
Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Aerospace
FMCG
Government

The top 2 account for >60% of my career, the top 5 would cover >80%.
I've never felt that I wanted clients in other sectors, nor have I felt like I needed to avoid certain sectors. I've normally taken roles because they interest me and will pay the bills.

[jamesbrown]

I tried changing from the financial sector to the adult entertainment sector but I could not stick it out for long.

I'm no expert, but I think you're supposed to stick it in.

[Paddy]

Hi,

Has anyone successfully changed the sector they work in?

I have been working as a software developer in financial services for most of my career and fancy a change. I have some very in demand skills (scala, functional programming, some spark) and am good at what I do.

Thing is it is pretty dull. I fancy doing something more interesting/worthy for the rest of my career but don't really fancy taking a hit to my day rate.

I tried changing from the financial sector to the adult entertainment sector but I could not stick it out for long.

[SueEllen]

yes I know the problem is that simpleton recruitment agents often don't understand that if you can do X in finance you can also do X in Government or retail

They aren't all simpletons as I've worked in a variety of sectors doing very similar work and using similar technologies.

I've been approached for tobacco a few times and turned them down. I noticed when you approached for tobacco or gambling you are asked if you have an ethical problem with it first.

[DoctorStrangelove]

Since becoming a contractor I've worked on projects for clients in the following sectors: online news, financial services, travel agencies, universities, diverse clients of a graphic design agency, commercial radio, Yahoo!, commercial radio again, various clients of a marketing agency, a university examinations syndicate, furniture retail, online library services, advertising, UI software for Freesat boxes, promotions and competitions, careers guidance, competitions again, metals trading, marketing again, consumer credit services, managed IT services, and central government. And CUK, of course

So if anything, I find it unusual when I end up back in a sector I've already worked in, as it's only happened three times in over twenty years

Have you considered lion taming?

Just askin' like. .

[Eirikur]

I've worked in Local Government, Retail Banking, Airports, Higher Education, Pharmaceutical, Shipping, Construction. Never had an issue with switching industries.

What it is about your skill set that means you are a one trick pony with no transferable skills?

Me Local Government, National government, betting and gaming, airlines, finance, energy, retail, household appliances, charity and telecoms, my skillset can be used in all these industries and more, not sure why you are stuck in one (yes I know the problem is that simpleton recruitment agents often don't understand that if you can do X in finance you can also do X in Government or retail)

[TheDude]

I have worked in defence (simulation software), market data, medical data and banking.

I'd consider anything interesting (excluding gambling, defence, tobacco) if the money is acceptable.

[Whorty]

Similar ... as a BA, PM, Finance Systems bod it's my skills clients want as most are transferable to any sector ..... a P2P implementation is pretty much the same whatever the sector, it's just the items being purchased that differ.

I've worked in Gas, Asset Management, General Insurance, Lloyd's Insurance, Pharma, Pensions, Banking, Property, Social Housing, Consultancy, Media, Entertainment. Probably others I can't think of .... I've been approached to work with BAT twice and turned them down. That's one sector I'd always struggle to work in.

[NickFitz]

Since becoming a contractor I've worked on projects for clients in the following sectors: online news, financial services, travel agencies, universities, diverse clients of a graphic design agency, commercial radio, Yahoo!, commercial radio again, various clients of a marketing agency, a university examinations syndicate, furniture retail, online library services, advertising, UI software for Freesat boxes, promotions and competitions, careers guidance, competitions again, metals trading, marketing again, consumer credit services, managed IT services, and central government. And CUK, of course

So if anything, I find it unusual when I end up back in a sector I've already worked in, as it's only happened three times in over twenty years

[vetran]

If you are talking about using the same skills then I've worked in all sorts of areas and on the whole it's just more of the same really whatever the clients do. I've worked in Nuclear, Eurofighter, various defence, finance, global pharma, retail and so on and the initial buzz of it being 'exciting' doesn't last that long for me. It's still back to the daily grind of ITIL and the like. That said my last couple of roles have been in retail and I do get a buzz from seeing what I do out there. Bit nerdy I guess but working on AST's for a supermarket chain was fun as it was also my local shop and they had them in. I've just finished a gig at another retailer deploying stuff to stores which I also happen to visit regularly so I do like to see the output from the projects. Not everyone thinks like that and it's hardly exiting I guess.

I did find (in the old days) that a clients location and offices made a big difference. I did like staying away midweek, particularly when the client had a bright airy new office. I did some work for a council and then a stint in the new Coop building in Manchester and although it was the same work the quality of gigs couldn't have been any different. Couldn't wait to get out of the council gig but absolutely loved Angel Square. That's all gone by the wayside now and I do miss it.

If you are talking about a completely different role with different skills then I've no idea I am afraid.

I used to work in Telecoms for an American organisation which sold to BT, walking into solicitor, estate Agents etc and seeing the phone system was quite cool. Also they are popular in US dramas so I get all excited when I see one on the TV.

Then worked in Electrical who supplied a number of retail outlets, walking into a petrol station and seeing our kit on the back shelf was always quite good.

as per LM your skills are probably transferrable there are a lot of companies in the mortgage & insurance arena changing their offerings that would like your financial expertise.

[ladymuck]

I've worked in Local Government, Retail Banking, Airports, Higher Education, Pharmaceutical, Shipping, Construction. Never had an issue with switching industries.

What it is about your skill set that means you are a one trick pony with no transferable skills?

[northernladuk]

Something with interesting problems to solve rather than a stream of Jiras to fix.

I quite fancy logistics/shipping.

If you are talking about using the same skills then I've worked in all sorts of areas and on the whole it's just more of the same really whatever the clients do. I've worked in Nuclear, Eurofighter, various defence, finance, global pharma, retail and so on and the initial buzz of it being 'exciting' doesn't last that long for me. It's still back to the daily grind of ITIL and the like. That said my last couple of roles have been in retail and I do get a buzz from seeing what I do out there. Bit nerdy I guess but working on AST's for a supermarket chain was fun as it was also my local shop and they had them in. I've just finished a gig at another retailer deploying stuff to stores which I also happen to visit regularly so I do like to see the output from the projects. Not everyone thinks like that and it's hardly exiting I guess.

I did find (in the old days) that a clients location and offices made a big difference. I did like staying away midweek, particularly when the client had a bright airy new office. I did some work for a council and then a stint in the new Coop building in Manchester and although it was the same work the quality of gigs couldn't have been any different. Couldn't wait to get out of the council gig but absolutely loved Angel Square. That's all gone by the wayside now and I do miss it.

If you are talking about a completely different role with different skills then I've no idea I am afraid.

[SueEllen]

You are unlikely to get the same rate but put your CV out there and see who contacts you.

If the project sounds interesting and is only for 6 months then accept it if the rate isn't tulip.

Just be aware a few years down the line you could keep ending up on projects that involve two of your key sectors.