A Checklist for Career Change

A Checklist for Career Change
Amy Feind Reeves T’92 April 6, 2015 Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Career Choices & Changes:
A checklist Let’s get personal About questions About me Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves
Today’s “Checklist” Why am I seeking change? What do I need? What do I Want? How do I sell it? How do I make it happen? When is a reasonable timeframe? Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Today’s “Checklist” Why am I seeking change? What Do I Need? What Do I want? How do I sell it? How do I make it happen? When is a reasonable timeframe? Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Why Am I Seeking Change? There is a big difference between wanting to move away from something and wanting to move towards something The former is rarely a solid foundation for change, while the latter can be elusive. Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Are You Moving Away From Something? Clues include:
Why Am I Seeking Change? Are You Moving Away From Something? Clues include: Boredom Feeling Unappreciated Knowing You’ve Plateaued Anger Frustration With Work Life Balance Feeling Stuck Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Or Moving Towards Something? Clues include:
Why Am I Seeking Change? Or Moving Towards Something? Clues include: Learning all you can about something new Asking questions until you are annoying Enjoying your research more than your day job Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Your Intention Matters
Why Am I Seeking Change? Your Intention Matters A change can be alluring- but it won’t necessarily solve the core issues When you’re jumping ”from” instead of jumping “towards” – employers and others can tell Changes in careers can come with steep learning curves that require passion and commitment for success Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

If you’re not there yet……
Why Am I Seeking Change? If you’re not there yet…… Focus on life outside of work Generate some enthusiasm and find people who share it: book clubs, running clubs, etc. Be curious about what other people are doing Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Today’s “Checklist” Why am I seeking change? What do I Need? What Do I Want? How do I sell it? How do I make it happen? When is a reasonable timeframe? Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

What Do I Need? What do I Want?
Being smart about change means closely defining both What you NEED out of a change What you WANT out of a change Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

What Do I Need? To define the parameters of your change, you need to understand what you are and are not willing to give up Quantitatively Qualitatively Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Specific, quantitative budget considerations
What Do I Need? Specific, quantitative budget considerations High What number will allow me to get by? What is my goal number? Is this number really important to me? Impact on Personal Satisfaction Low Impact on Financial Security Negative Positive Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Specific, qualitative considerations……
What Do I Need? Specific, qualitative considerations…… POSITIVES NEGATIVES DAILY LIFE Really enjoy my co-workers Commute to work is awful POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH Would enjoy my manager’s job The industry as a whole is not growing WORK LIFE BALANCE Summer hours are great 3x a year, the pace is frantic and the hours long Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

The result: your shortlist.
What Do I Need? The result: your shortlist. Example Quantitative Qualitative Willing to give up 1 vacation a year and my family is on board Must continue a 15% savings rate with a matching plan Can take a 10% salary reduction for 3 years as long as it returns to and stays at present level for the following 10 years Domestic travel is fine, no more long term global travel Flexibility to attend 2 lacrosse games / week in season Want to be in corporate headquarters, not a satellite office Want an office in an active area with lots of restaurants and bars Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Realistically, what we want is often in conflict with what we need.
What Do I Want? Realistically, what we want is often in conflict with what we need. Lex Luther Superman World Domination World Freedom Bank CEO? Lots of Personal Satisfaction Food Bank Founder? Lots of Money Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

So what is most important for you in your next career?
What Do I Want? So what is most important for you in your next career? Exercise List everything - be specific Cluster like themes together Prioritize theme areas For now, only consider top three themes Later in the process, during interviews for example, you’ll want to refer to your original notes Turn those themes into low word count, high impact statements Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

What Do I Want? Example Laundry List (Private) Work in a role that benefits kids Key Themes (Private) Willing to accept 20% initial pay cut EDUCATION INDUSTRY OR OTHER FOCUS ON KIDS Stay in Denver Core Change Statement (Public) Be home for dinner 3 nights / week WILL MAKE MODERATE FINANCIAL FOR LIFESTYLE TRADEOFFS Seeking to add value in the local pre-K to 12 market Keep family in current community NO LOCATION CHANGES Be able to walk to an organic coffee shop Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

You now are close to having the foundation for your story.
How Do I Sell It? You now are close to having the foundation for your story. Your Insight Your Story My Interest What I’m Moving Towards What I’m Looking For What I Want What I Have To Offer My Transferrable Skills Can You Help Me? Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

You have more transferrable skills than you realize.
How Do I Sell It? You have more transferrable skills than you realize. Basics (Implicit In Your Pitch) Attention to detail Organizational skills Ability to deliver under pressure Keen judgment Specifics (Explicit In Your Pitch) Relationship development Project management Budgeting Team leadership Internal and external client management Board and investor relations Market segmentation Technology integration Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

How Do I Sell It? You have more transferrable skills than you realize. Example Examples Building relationships with investors Measuring results Portfolio Manager Non-Profit Director Successful P&L experience Managing others’ work Focusing on customers Non-Profit Director General Manager Managing deadlines and project plans Manager Entrepreneur Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

How Do I Sell It? You have more transferrable skills than you realize. Example Examples Drawing inferences from large amounts of data Understanding industries and customers Bank Credit Analyst Agency Marketing Analyst Understanding customer needs Making connections with people Real Estate Broker Data Security Sales Being prepared for anything Staying calm Knowing when to raise a red flag- and when to just handle it Catering Manager Office Manager Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Looking for another job needs to become, in itself, another job.
How Do I Make It Happen? Looking for another job needs to become, in itself, another job. Focus YOUR network is your best asset. Get the word out. Be specific. Ask for help Curiosity YOUR wants and needs may evolve with your search. Be open and stay as flexible as you are curious. Enthusiasm YOUR level of energy is contagious. Interest - ED is interest - ING. Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

That said, it does not have to be awful.
How Do I Make It Happen? That said, it does not have to be awful. New Connections New Opportunities New Communities Learning Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Think about your tactics in three tracks.
How Do I Make It Happen? Think about your tactics in three tracks. Proactive Reactive Professional Development Identify Who Can Help Or Who Knows Someone Who Can Help Set Up Job Alerts Using Applicable Key Words Solidify Your Wants and Needs with Current Knowledge Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

“Proactive” is the hardest and most valuable.
How Do I Make It Happen? “Proactive” is the hardest and most valuable. Proactive Develop your LinkedIn network Go to your alum career office and database(s) Comb your personal network At church At soccer games At school events Make it easy to help you Explain what you need Tee up an request that can be forwarded Identify Who Can Help Or Who Knows Someone Who Can Help Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Set Up Job Alerts Using Applicable Key Words
How Do I Make It Happen? “Reactive” may be the easiest, but ultimately the least likely to get you hired. Reactive LinkedIn, Idealist, Indeed are the “freshest” Go directly to companies of interest to sign up Become a social media follower At first, just read the job descriptions if you want a learning curve Revisit your network as you learn of new companies Set Up Job Alerts Using Applicable Key Words Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Solidify Your Wants and Needs with Knowledge & Experience
How Do I Make It Happen? Professional development feeds your other two tracks and legitimizes your interest. Professional Development Join professional associations and read up on the industry (they also have job boards) Read case studies on leading company websites Study the books of industry leaders Take courses Seek out volunteer opportunities to perform the same tasks Become a social media leader Solidify Your Wants and Needs with Knowledge & Experience Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

What Is A Reasonable Time Frame?
Realistically, give yourself a year and set monthly goals to track your progress. Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Figure out what you really want; use some of the exercises here Buy a notebooks! Research what’s out there Devote some time each week to yourself and making headway Finalize sales pitch Create standard and letter template with sales pitch for reaching out Prepare family for extra time needed Begin reaching out to LinkedIn Network Start scheduling informational calls / coffees Read 50 relevant job descriptions Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

What Is A Reasonable Time Frame?
A few tips: Keep Detailed Records You’ll need a spreadsheet of whom you’ve contacted Write Thank You Notes Today’s dead end can be tomorrow’s dream Don’t Be Discouraged If you need to take a break for a few weeks, take one. Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

Today’s “Checklist” Why do I really want this change? What do I want? How do I sell it? How do I make it happen? What is a reasonable timeframe? How else can I be helpful? Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved Amy Feind Reeves

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