Thinking About An Engineering Specialty or Industry Pivot? Ensure Your Professional Profile Is Telling the Right Story.

I’ve been having lottsssss of conversations lately around pivoting specialties and leveraging transferable skills sets.  So I’m going to share with you a conversation I had last week (let's call him Rick) and some of the associated aligned actions we’re taking for a successful pivot.

For context.

Rick’s been working at an EV company for the past 4 years and is currently a Chief Engineer.  When we talked it became very clear that he was burnt out and frankly wanted out of the automotive product development industry and he saw getting into software as his path. 

He said software, and it caught me super off guard.  His resume and LinkedIn profile painted him as a mechanical maestro, with a particular knack for interiors. I see this type of background a lot in people who want to make pivots and I figured our discussion would revolve around leveraging his expertise into burgeoning technologies like batteries or electronics. But nope, he wanted software.  It’s awesome when people know what they want, so cool.  Let’s do it.

Digging deeper, Rick expressed a desire not just to switch technical domains but to redefine his role entirely, aspiring towards software leadership within the healthcare sector. A pivot that, not gonna lie, at first glance, seemed a leap too far.

Yet, as we unpacked Rick's experiences, a more coherent narrative began to emerge. Beyond his title, Rick's role was deeply entrenched in people management and process innovation, even leading & getting in the trenches with a cross-functional software development team. The pieces of the puzzle started to align.

But why healthcare? This pivot seemed even more puzzling. It turned out that Rick's initial career contemplation had been a toss-up between engineering and medicine. Choosing engineering didn't extinguish his drive to impact people's lives in a meaningful way (he also had some personal reasons we won’t dive into here, but also supported this passion). So with this context, Rick's journey took on new significance, providing a solid foundation to strategize his transition.

There are LOTS of things I can say about strategy to make a career pivot, that I’ll share in upcoming editions. But, the point of sharing Rick's story is to showcase the importance of self-presentation, especially when eyeing a career shift. What narrative does your professional profile weave? Does it reflect not only where you've been but also where you're headed?

So here are the actionable takeaways:

• Craft Your Narrative: Ensure your resume and LinkedIn not only detail your past achievements but also articulate your future aspirations. It's crucial that your story makes sense to an outsider, showcasing a logical progression.   If you need to, use the “about me” section on LinkedIn or the summary section of your resume to help tell your story.
• Refine Your Headline: Your LinkedIn & resume headline should clearly state your desired role. Instead of "EV Chief Engineer," Rick might opt for "Engineering Leader & People Champion: Driving Healthcare Software Innovation with Heart.". Make it obvious and easy for recruiters and hiring managers to know what you want.
• Connect the dots: I’m a big fan of jumping on a white board and brain dumping.  And then drawing parallels to what you have done and how they could impact what you want to do.  You can use a Venn diagram, mind map, fishbone diagram, whatever you like but find the skills you can leverage in this pivot.  Bonus points: Find ways that some of your other skills could be used as a unique asset that others in these types of positions normally would have, but you do!

And truth be told, there may be gaps… and there might have to be some stepping stones to get from A to Z.  So if your story doesn’t make sense (yet), that’s okay.  Now you know where to put your efforts to fill those gaps - be it trainings, attending industry events, taking a lateral move or even step back to get experience you’re lacking.

So yes, we again find ourselves talking about intentional action here.  It's about having a clear vision of your destination, then strategically retracing your steps to craft a compelling narrative and action plan. This approach, grounded in deliberate, purpose-driven actions and the smart leverage of your unique skill set, paves the way to your desired future. By doing so, you're not just passively hoping for opportunities to come your way; you're actively constructing the path that leads to them.

Rooting for you!

Ashley

P.S. Thinking about making a shift?? Let's talk about how you can create your narrative, leverage your transferable skills and strengths to do so! Book a time HERE!

LATEST RESOURCES - In case you missed them...

LinkedIn Live Replay -AI ChatGPT Basics

LinkedIn Live session called 'Putting AI to Work in Your Job Hunt: The Basics,' aimed at demystifying how AI can turbocharge your job search. From refining resumes to acing interviews with AI's help, we covered it all! If you missed it, catch the replay to see how AI can be your ally in landing your dream job. Check out this LinkedIn Live Replay. Link HERE

LinkedIn Live Replay - Strategy for Vision with your Career with Chris Combs

Don't miss out on this incredible LinkedIn Live session with Strategy Expert, Chris Combs, where we dove deep into the essentials of strategic planning for career growth and organizational success. If you're looking to sharpen your career strategy or align your team with a unified vision, check out the replay to catch all the valuable insights and practical advice Chris shared! Link HERE

POST - A hard part to a career transition - Leaving your work family

In my recent LinkedIn post, I share my story and some heart-to-heart advice for anyone thinking about switching careers. It's all about the big leaps we take, the work fam we miss, and how stepping into the unknown can be scary but super rewarding. I've been there, done that, and I'm here to help you figure out how to embrace the change and make your next move with confidence. Check out the post HERE.

INDUSTRY NEWS & COMPANIES ON MY RADAR:

In an ever changing, evolving industry it's hard to keep up with what's new.  Here's what's on my radar.

• Kartik Lamba is doing my job for me this week haha. Check out his post for Climate related startups that are hiring!! Here's the LINK.

• I'm really paying attention to space lately. Seem to be some crazy growth happening there. SpaceX has 1200+ jobs open (584 in engineering). Very similarly Blue Origin 1200+ open jobs and (594 in engineering). Also keeping my eye on Astrobotic, Moon, Relativity Space and among others - lots of transferrable skills!
• Marine has also caught my eye with growth at Brunswick with their electric boat (also have 2000+ jobs) and Arc. Talk about leveraging transferable skills!
• Aptiv is stopping its financial support for Motional, a joint venture with Hyundai for a robotaxi service, citing high costs and a long ROI timeline. Despite this, Motional remains optimistic about its future and funding, continuing its autonomous vehicle projects and collaborations, including a new robotaxi with Kia, with ongoing support from Aptiv and Hyundai. SITE
• Market Indicator --> Elroy Air, an autonomous cargo drone developer based in South San Francisco, secured $48.9 million in funding, as disclosed in a regulatory document.
• Toyota announced ambitious plans for new battery technology and EV innovation, aiming to launch next-generation lithium-ion batteries by 2026 that offer longer ranges and quicker charging. Toyota is also working on solid-state batteries, expecting to commercialize them between 2027 and 2028, potentially revolutionizing the EV market with significantly improved range and charging times SITE.
• eVTOL seems like a goooood place to be right now. Supernal up 76% in headcount in the last year with 84 jobs open, 49 of those in engineering. Joby has 209 jobs open, 84 in engineering, and Archer has 137, 72 of them engineering.
• Lucid also has 916 jobs currently open, 350 in engineering. If you're planning on going through a technical interview with them though, hit me up. They are no joke.

JOB SEEKING QUICK TIPS:

CHATGPT PROMPT OF THE WEEK

I have 0 [role/experience] experience and I want to transition into the [role/industry]. I’d like a personalized roadmap based on successful frameworks and best practices for this type of transition. I’m going to give you my resume so you can see my past experiences and skills first, then you’ll make a plan that includes any skill gaps I have, any transferable skills that may apply, and a roadmap of ideas for what I can do to close the gap. Are you ready? If so, say yes and I’ll give you the resume.

• Based on this plan, provide a 3 month roadmap that includes daily, weekly, and monthly habits, milestones, and outcome based goals that align to my goal of making this transition.

RESUME TIP

Crafting a compelling "Resume Header" is your first opportunity to make a memorable impression. Positioned right after your name and contact information, this highlighted section should succinctly declare your career intentions, aligning with the specific role you're targeting. Think of it as your professional headline - a concise blend of your desired job title and a unique value proposition that sets you apart. Tailor it for each application to mirror key phrases from the job description, ensuring it resonates with the hiring manager's needs. This strategic customization not only showcases your ambition but also demonstrates your alignment with the role, positioning you as the ideal candidate from the very start.

This can be formatted a variety of ways, but here's one example.

WHAT'S BREWING AT CHARGEDUP

People are always asking me what's new or what's in the works so figured I'd share with y'all (I'm not from the south but "y'all" just felt right).

Ahh I'm so exited to give you sneak insight that based on popular demand we are creating an exclusive ChargedUp Community!! It's full of resources including on demand and live trainings, challenges, fireside chats along with the opportunity to network and connect with like-minded individuals in the sustainable transportation field!!! I haven't made it open to the public quite yet, so if you're interested in being part of it DM "community" to me for more info and ability to get founders level pricing!

Propel and Build Program - This is a 6 month program crafted for people who have a job but are looking to make a transition or uplevel.  We spend the first 3 months high touch getting your ducks in a row and then continue on executing and ensure a smooth transition.  More info HERE

On-Demand Training Program

• As you know, my goal is to help over 1200+ job seekers in 2024.  This is my way to reach people that need the help, but at a lower price point than 1:1 coaching or accelerator programs.  More to come soon!

CHARGEDUP EVENTS Coming Your Way:

• LinkedIn Live Event: Connecting Dots, Connecting People the best way to grow in your Technical Career with Charles Manno, PMP, CSSGB, PCQI, Blue Origin (Feb 29th)
• LinkedIn Live Event: The Impact of Relationships in your Technical Career with Alejandro Plazas (March 14th)

Curious about ChargedUp and what we do??

Check out our website: www.chargedupcareers.com

At ChargedUp, we're more than coaches; we're your career architects, building pathways for seasoned professionals to navigate the evolving landscape of job seeking. We understand the challenges – the job market isn't what it was 25, 10 or even 5 years ago. It's tougher, more dynamic, and requires a nuanced approach. That's where our expertise and empathy come into play.

🌟 Our Core Principles: Intentionality, Authenticity, Position, and Relationship-building. We don't just preach these values; we embed them in every interaction, every piece of advice, and every strategy we develop with you. Our goal? To align your career authentically with your passions and values while navigating the dynamic needs of the industry.

🛠️ Our Services:

• Tailored One-on-One Coaching
• Resume and LinkedIn Optimization
• Courses and Masterclasses
• Intensive, Hands-on Programs

We're talking to you, the professionals who've seen the industry evolve, who've grown with it, and who now face a new era of job seeking. Job seeking is hard, more so when the rules of the game have changed. But fear not, we're here to demystify it. With our recruitment background, we know how to leverage modern tools and strategies to make your job hunt efficient, effective, and true to your career goals.

Because we understand the unique challenges faced by seasoned professionals. We're not just about finding you a job; we're about discovering where you'll shine the brightest. Our approach is holistic, empathetic, and laser-focused on your success.

Want to learn more about the potential of working together? Book a call HERE!

Thanks for reading!

P.S. Remember, if you're having any trouble navigating your career transition, I'm here and would love to help! Here's my calendly once again :)