Integrating Career Changes

Linear careers are breaking. Here's how to build something stronger: By 2027, AI automation will erode the value of more than 60% of specialized skills. Specialization used to mean security. Now, it’s a significant risk. In an increasingly complex world, intentionally broadening your skill base is the only defense. Starting as an entrepreneur, I was forced into discomfort: → Sales felt awkward → Design felt foreign → Management felt forced → Writing felt painful → Investing felt risky I wasn't an expert at any. In this credibility valley, most quit - because being average feels terrible. But, like compound interest, the longer you persist and intentionally add skills, something powerful emerges: Each new skill multiplies the others’ value. Eventually, these skills took me from starting a single business to running multiple companies and operating a fund. Here's the deeper truth I've learned: Specialists master depth. But risk tunnel vision. Generalists see patterns. But risk superficial understanding. The timing paradox: → Generalists thrive in chaos → Specialists dominate stability Linear paths may feel safer, but today they're more vulnerable than ever. The best defense isn't just adding skills, it's adding them intentionally. A simple compound skill advantage playbook: → Select adjacent skills before they’re obviously valuable → View discomfort as critical feedback, not as failure → Prioritize skill integration over isolated mastery → Constantly practice unlearning to adapt faster The uncomfortable truth: you'll never be the best at any single skill. You'll become irreplaceable through their combination. Your choice: Stay specialized and fragile, or become multidisciplinary and antifragile. What skill combination are you building? Share in the comments below.

The secret to standing out isn’t being the best—it’s being different. You don’t need to compete with others on their terms; instead, build a unique combination of skills that only you can bring to the table. This is how you carve a path that’s uniquely yours. This is the advice I shared with young people who feel the pressure to be the “best.” Comparing yourself with others can be an exhausting downward spiral. Your uniqueness is your superpower. Rewrite the rules to work for you. When you’re starting out, carve out a niche. The more narrow it is, the easier it is to stand out and excel. Once you gain a foothold, you can broaden your skillset and expand your impact. Think of it as building a “skills stack.” The idea is simple but powerful: instead of trying to master one area, combine complementary skills from different domains. Each skill you acquire becomes a multiplier for the others. You don’t need to be the best at any single skill—being good at a unique combination is enough to make you stand out. Early in my career, I specialized as an economist. But over time, I recognized that solving complex problems required a multifaceted approach. So, I adapted: blending economics with history, financial markets with psychology, and finance with storytelling. This interdisciplinary approach allowed me to create my own game. Following my own path made work feel like a journey, not a competition. It kept me from getting lost in the trap of comparison. Start small: Choose a skill you’re curious about and think about how it could enhance what you already know. Over time, your stack will grow, making you uniquely equipped for opportunities no one else can match. The world doesn’t need more copies. It needs you, as you are. How are you building your own skills stack? And what advice would you give to those striving to be the best?

Use case prioritization is becoming essential for organizations navigating the evolving landscape of GenAI. Over the past 10-12 months, we’ve seen a surge of bottom-up use cases emerge across industries. This explosion of ideas has brought immense potential, but it also necessitates a structured, centralized priority approach. An approach that takes an objective view of value creation through technical extrapolation. We’re likely to see this trend gain significant momentum in 2025, reshaping not only organizational strategies but also the skill sets required to thrive. When I previously wrote about the evolving dynamics between IC (individual contributor) and managerial roles in AI-driven organizations, it felt a bit ahead of its time. Now, those ideas appear more practical and relevant. The democratization of AI has fundamentally altered both the development process and strategic frameworks within companies. Previously, writing a PRD was a core task for product managers, and converting it into a program plan required specific skill sets. But this paradigm has shifted. Today, organizations no longer need large teams performing these tasks manually. Instead, they benefit from smaller, high-caliber teams that leverage AI technologies to operate at scale. This isn’t just a matter of increased efficiency; rather, it’s a transformation of the underlying skills. For instance, strategic product discussions have evolved significantly. Long-term visioning has given way to medium-term, execution-focused roadmaps, with technical specifics entering the conversation much earlier than before. For those wondering how to stay relevant and upskill in this new environment, don't limit yourself to courses/sessions that explain the technology or research papers unless your role is deeply technical. Instead, seek out experiences that offer practical insights, especially workshops, conferences, and sessions where practitioners share real-world successes, failures, and lessons learned. These experiential learnings will shape your thought process and keep you adaptable in an ever-changing field. The shelf life of theoretical knowledge is shrinking rapidly. The way forward is not just about understanding technology; it’s about evolving with it. #ExperienceFromTheField #WrittenByHuman #EditedByAI

Career transitions aren't about finding a new train track to ride to career advancement—they're about mastering the rock climb. Here's the framework I use with clients to help them pivot successfully: Step 1: Identify Your True Pain Point Before making any move, ask yourself: Is it your boss you dislike or the actual work? Is it the industry or just your company culture? One client was ready to leave her entire field until we discovered she only needed an internal transfer away from a toxic boss—saving months of job searching while keeping her seniority. Step 2: Apply the W.I.S.E. Framework Don't jump straight to job applications. First, analyze: Workplace needs: What motivates you at work? Industries: Which sectors will you thrive in? Skills/Roles: What work uses your skills/strengths? Experience: What experience can you leverage in your transition? Step 3: Become the Entrepreneur of Your Career The ultimate goal? Complete ownership of your professional destiny. This mindset shift is everything. Your experience is your product, and you must position it differently for different opportunities. Feeling stuck? Successful job seekers prioritize and compromise.  Use “forced choice” to help you prioritize what’s most important to you and narrow down your options. Here's a question for deeper reflection... How does your past experience prepare you for the roles you're targeting now? #Careers #JobSearch #LinkedInTopVoices

Moving into a management role is a major change... Here's a first-hand account of my recent experience and what I have been learning ~~~~~~~~ I recently moved into the role of Acting Engineering Project Manager. This is my first time in a formal management role, and I have been learning every day. The scope of my new role spans the execution of all aspects of the project, including: ▪︎software ▪︎hardware ▪︎human factors ▪︎safety ▪︎cybersecurity ▪︎digital transformation This broad scope keeps every day dynamic, challenging, and interesting... and with the expanded scope also comes new growth areas. ~~~~~~~~ Two months into the role, here are my three major learning curves: 1. Change from executing tasks to enabling the team 🎯 The biggest change has definitely been moving from executing my own tasks to planning them for others. My focus is now on enabling team members to hit their milestones. Sometimes I have to resist my urge to jump in myself; a conductor is not the one playing all the instruments. Their focus is on conducting the orchestra. 2. Handling increased complexity 📊 As a manager, the daily complexity is much higher. Often, it feels like balancing many spinning plates. Prioritization takes on a different meaning when *everything* is important. Timeblocking my calendar and sending myself emails of To-Dos has been very helpful. There is no easy solution to these situations, and I am treating each one as a learning opportunity. 3. Achieving team flow 🔗 Communication is key to keeping the team informed and aligned towards the same goals. Meaningful meetings are important for this synergy. I have been doubling down on my meeting skills. These include sending out clear agendas, taking thorough notes, and tracking action items to closure. With a wider field-of-view, it is easy for me to overload a team member with information. So I have been working on pacing information and sharing with intent. Team flow requires clarity. Clarity comes from delivering relevant information in a concise manner. ~~~~~~~~ Two months down ✅️ What is something you remember from transitioning between different types of roles? #engineering #projectmanagement #fieldnotes

If your entire job search strategy is filling out applications, uploading your resume, and then waiting… you’re missing the bigger picture. I can only speak for the software job market, which is an absolute mess for job seekers. Qualified candidates are everywhere, and you must take extra steps to stand out. Marketing yourself to a hiring manager is not a sin. Yes, some companies should change their hiring practices. Yes, I've made a ton of mistakes when hiring people. Just this last week, I accidentally ghosted someone when I had a last-minute family event jump on the calendar. AND YES, this is off the back of my post last week, where I shared why I no longer read resumes and gave tips on how to stand out in the interview process. Most of you loved it (thank you!), but a few strongly disagreed... STRONGLY disagreed. Who knew people would be so passionate about resumes? I get it. People have different perspectives. However, a resume and job application alone aren’t enough to stand out from the crowd. I promised a few in the comments that I would follow up with tips on making your LinkedIn profile stand out. So let's do it. Start with the Headline: Avoid default titles like “Marketing Manager at XYZ.” Instead, showcase your value: “Driving Revenue Growth through Data-Driven Marketing” or “Empowering Teams to Create Scalable Strategies.” Spend Time on the About Section: This is your elevator pitch. Highlight your skills, achievements, and passions in 3-5 paragraphs. Make it you, not just a resume dump. Add Key Achievements to Your Experience Section: This is one of the most effective and least used. Use bullet points that emphasize results and impact. Quantify whenever possible (e.g., “Increased MQLs by 50% through revamped campaigns”). Keep it concise, but USE NUMBERS. Don't Ignore the Featured Section: Add links to your portfolio, blogs, presentations, or standout projects. This is the place to shine a spotlight if you’ve published articles or spoken at events. Keep Your Profile Active & Current: Update your profile with every new role, project, or milestone. Stale profiles give the impression of inattention. Set a calendar block or invite every other month to update your profile. Start there. Your LinkedIn profile is more than a digital resume because who wants to read a resume? It’s your chance to tell your story, highlight your skills, and make someone want to talk to you. Go forth and conquer.

⭐𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗽 ⭐ When helping my clients navigate a career transition, they often tell me that they feel "lost", "stuck" or "confused" 😕 and don't know what they want do next (sound familiar?). If you're feeling this way at the moment, here is an exercise I do with my clients that helps give them a lot of clarity 💡: 🔷𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭 - 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 “𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄” 𝗮𝗻𝗱 “𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁” 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 Take some time to reflect on your career so far. Write down the tasks that have energised and engaged you, sparked creativity, or made time fly? These are your flow tasks ❤️ Now consider the flip side. What tasks drain you, bore you, or feel uninspiring? These are your burnout tasks. 🔷𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮 - 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 “𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲” Once you have clarity on what tasks energise you (and what don't), you can design your ideal job description using AI tools like ChatGPT. Prompt ChatGPT with information such as: ✔ Flow tasks ✔ Ideal team and manager ✔ Work culture and values ✔ Preferred work arrangements (hybrid, remote, flexible etc.) ✔ The type of clients, causes, or industries you want to support This becomes your anchor document ⚓A guide that reflects what matters most to you. 🔷𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯 - 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 "𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹" 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Now ask ChatGPT to search platforms like Seek, LinkedIn, or Indeed for roles that closely match your “ideal” job description. It doesn’t mean you’ll find a perfect fit straight away, but it helps sharpen your focus and gives you a starting point. This exercise consistently helps my clients shift from confused and stuck ➝ to clear and energised about their next step. 📢I'd like to also note that we do not solely rely on advertised roles, and my advice is to always be proactive with your job search. The hidden job market is powerful, so leverage your network, start conversations, and build new connections. ✨ If you’re feeling uncertain about your own path, give it a try and let me know what you think. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can offer you any support or guidance in your career development. #careertransitions #careerchange #careercoach

Attention - Career pivot!? It is rather often that I receive direct messages from candidates asking for advice on how to manage a significant career pivot. Changing careers at a mature stage in life is a little like going on a very tall roller coaster - it can be both exciting and scary. Here are some thoughts to consider: ↝ 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Start by assessing your skills, interests, and values. Understand your strengths and what drives you. This self-awareness will guide you towards a career that aligns with the true you! ↝ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘁-𝘂𝗽: Understand the financial implications of a career change. Determine how your income might be affected during the transition period and plan accordingly. In today`s environment it almost always takes longer than planned. ↝ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲: Take the time to learn about potential career directions. Look into industries that interest you and explore the job market demand, required skills, and educational or training pathways. Talk to real people to gain insights! Make sure that you take into consideration local market specifics. ↝ 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Identify your skills or knowledge that can be transferred as well as gaps between your current experience and your desired career. Courses, certifications, or workshops can be helpful (and costly). ↝ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Leverage your existing network and reach out to professionals in the new field. Networking can be critical in your decision making as well your eventual success. ↝ 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: If possible, gain practical experience in your new field through volunteering or internships. This can help you confirm you are on the right path; acquire hands-on experience and expand your network. ↝ 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Understand that changing careers may take time and effort. Consider adjusting your plans based on new information or opportunities that arise. ↝ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: Resilience on this journey will be critical. Job hunting and career changes are often challenging, but maintaining a positive mindset will increase your chances of success. ↝ 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁: Once you've made the change, periodically evaluate your career satisfaction and progress. Be open to making further adjustments if needed to ensure long-term fulfillment. ❓ Anything you would add? Any questions? ------------------------------------------------- Oh, hey there! I am Dana - Recruiter with a 💡 ☝🏼 Like this and want more interesting content? 🍪 Share if others could benefit from this too! 🔔 Follow me and 'hit' the bell on my profile.

The Strategic Flaw Undermining Career Transitions   Throughout my career guiding professionals through industry and functional transitions, I've identified a consistent pattern among those who struggle to pivot successfully: they position themselves as inexperienced candidates in the new domain rather than as valuable cross-pollinating experts.   This fundamental positioning error creates unnecessary obstacles in an already challenging process.   Successful career pivoters employ a distinctly different approach: • Value Reframing: Positioning their outside perspective as an asset that brings fresh thinking to entrenched industry challenges • Problem-Solution Alignment: Identifying specific issues in the target field that their unique background equips them to address differently • Strategic Narrative Construction: Developing a compelling story that connects their existing expertise to the future needs of the target industry • Selective Credential Building: Acquiring specific knowledge markers that demonstrate commitment while leveraging existing transferable skills   The most effective career transitions aren't accomplished by minimizing differences or attempting to compete directly with industry insiders on their terms.   Rather, they succeed by deliberately highlighting how cross-industry perspective creates unique value in solving the target industry's evolving challenges.   For professionals considering a pivot, the critical shift isn't in acquiring years of new experience, but in reframing existing experience to demonstrate its relevance and value in the new context.   What unexpected industries have you seen professionals successfully transition between by leveraging seemingly unrelated backgrounds?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #careertransition #crosspollination #industryshift #careerstrategist