Moving sector - how to know if it's right for you?

Every procurement and supply chain professional has moments where they feel it is time for a change. It’s perfectly natural to want to try different things out during the course of your career and it isn’t good for either employer or employee to get stale or lose enthusiasm in their role. Sometimes what’s needed is a new type of role, a change of team, or a different location. But if you love your work but need a fresh challenge, it might be worth considering changing the sector or industry you work in.

This article will explore how to know if moving sector is right for you. We’ll look at things to consider before you take the plunge, and how to approach potential employers in your new industry. If you find you are still unsure after reading the article, don’t worry. Give the team at Bramwith a call. We’d be more than happy to discuss your options with you.

How do I know if moving sector is right for me?

Whether you are relatively new to procurement and supply chain or a seasoned professional you won’t want to jump ship to another type of business without really thinking through all the implications. Here are some questions to answer to help you make the right decision.

What are your motivations for moving to a different type of business? What are the things that are really driving your move? Think through your current role and the aspects of it that you like and don’t like. Consider your team structure, your manager’s leadership style and your workplace culture. Make sure you aren’t mistaking the urge to change to another area of business with a desire to be part of a different team or working environment.
Think about the differences between your current sector and those you would like to move to. What would be on offer in your new industry that isn’t available for you in your current role? Are these exclusively present in the new sector and will this be the case in two or five years' time? The world of work has changed a great deal in the last few years, after all.
Are there any challenges with moving to your new sector? Are potential employers likely to welcome applications from people in your sector? For example, if you want to move from a corporate environment to a charity or NGO you will need to think about how to explain your new ambitions in your resume and covering letter. We’ll cover this in more detail in a later section.
How will the salary and benefits stack up in your new sector? If you are likely to take a pay cut, need to travel further, lose your vehicle allowance or work in a markedly different way, will you still have the same enthusiasm for your new sector in a few years' time?
Do you know people in the new sector that could give you honest insights into what life and work is like? It’s important to make sure your perceptions of this new environment are correct before you move; real-life experience from trusted peers is a great way to get that.

How to approach applications in your new sector

The next step in your journey to moving sector is preparing your applications and resume to suit the different requirements. If you are moving to a similar area of business you may only need to make minor adjustments. But if the new industry is very different you might need to put in a considerable amount of time to ensure your application is attractive to potential employers.

Here are a few tips to point you in the right direction.

When adapting your CV don’t presume the person reading your CV has any knowledge of your current sector or the unique challenges and opportunities it faces. They may also have preconceived ideas about the type of business that you will need to try to change. For example, an NGO might be concerned that a candidate from a pharmaceutical company will be very corporately minded and will struggle in a less commercial environment. Where possible, explain your motivations and your reasons for the move and emphasize that this is an ambition you have held for a long time. You don’t want to give the impression that you will be moving on before too long.
If you are attracted to a particular procurement and supply chain role, then the chances are you believe you are qualified for it. Review the job spec and adverts carefully and identify all aspects of the role where your skills and way of working will be valuable. Then you can prioritize explaining how these are transferable between the two sectors. Resist the urge to play down the responsibilities you had that you feel are easy or more straightforward. If you think they will be attractive and valuable to your new employer, they should be included.
Try not to make presumptions about how your new sector operates. If you aren’t able to get first-hand insights from a friend or peer then speak to a specialist procurement and supply chain recruiter. The team at Bramwith, for example, have a great deal of experience working with clients in a wide variety of business areas. We’ll be able to help you understand what these employers are looking for and how to adapt your language and approach accordingly.
Get under the skin of your new sector. In addition to scouring job specs and the company’s website and comms, have a good look at any industry journals and online news outlets relating to that sector. You can also read up on industry figures on LinkedIn or attend some events or webinars.

We hope these tips on how to know if moving sector is right for you have been useful. There is a fair amount of work involved with changing to a different industry so it shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you are sure you want to move and that your skills and approach would be a good fit then it is well worth putting the hours in. A change is as good as a holiday, as the saying goes. Procurement and supply chain professionals are good at what they do because they thrive on new challenges and variety. A new sector could breathe fresh life into your career as well as your general wellbeing.

Good luck with your research and please do let us know if we can help with this next exciting step in your career journey.