Is Sector Specific Experience Overrated

Is Sector Specific Experience Overrated

Is sector specific work experience over valued – can you jump from working in hospitality to the legal profession?

Is it easy to switch from the building homes in the construction industry to become a smooth operator in finance? Probably not.

Some sector specific jobs require at least a few years spent at university or a good deal of experience and on the job training.

Sectors like finance, law, and healthcare, however, are the exception rather than the rule. A large number of white collar employment sectors are a lot more interchangeable than many people think.

There can certainly be experience and a bunch of skills developed in one sector that is perfectly suitable for another.

If you’re a reasonably intelligent individual, you should be able to pick up the jargon and nuances of the new business in a fairly short period of time.

The truth is that most sector specific experience is pretty much overrated.

Many businesses are missing out on highly qualified and motivated managers and leaders who have previously worked outside their sector.

And managers themselves are not casting their net wide enough when looking for that next post because they don’t think they have the experience.

The Benefits of Employing People From Outside Your Sector

When a business is looking to employ someone new, particularly in management, they will generally look within their sector for someone who has experience.

This has the advantage that you get someone who knows the ins and outs of the business and who don’t need to be brought up to speed.

Someone from outside that sector may well need to have a little extra training. However, they also bring new ideas and new ways of doing things.

They can be progressive and disruptive in a positive way.

This can lead to changes in attitudes and how things get done that may have been ingrained in your sector for years.

According to Forbes, it’s a natural thing to resist bringing in people from the outside:

“We value industry and function-specific experience in job applicants because doing so reinforces the choices we’ve made in our own careers to pursue specific career paths and earn specific credentials.”

The idea of sector specific experience works both ways.

Many managers and leaders believe they can only survive and prosper in their own industry.

All but the most adventurous will look close to home with something they’re used to rather than try a completely new arena.

We often look at job specs and simply rule ourselves out because we don’t have experience in that particular area.

But can we actually do the job? Yes we can.

Most businesses, at least those that don’t fall into the remit of highly specialised like law or finance, can benefit from at least a little radical thinking when it comes to recruitment.

Employing managers and other staff from different sectors brings fresh voices to your business that can make a real difference.

It might take a lot to get this done, not least the change of attitude.

You first of all need to dispel the myth of sector specific experience in your own business and that sometimes isn’t easy. The benefits, however, can be significant.

The good news is that many people are now looking to move beyond the traditional and challenge the norm of industry experience.

Perhaps it’s time that businesses themselves cast their nets a little wider.

If you want fresh views and a trans-formative approach in your company, pulling down those walls may well be the way forward.

Share:

Facebook
LinkedIn
read on

Related Posts

ideas for life

Ideas for life – no more resolutions

Why most of us fail? If you are in the incredible 20% of people who hit their resolutions every year, congratulations! You are a rare breed 🙌🥳👏 For the rest of us, it is mostly a journey downwards into a spiral of failure, guilt, and frustration which circles back to thinking less of ourselves and hardly ever making us feel good or achieve anything meaningful. Most of us fail for three main reasons: Lack of clarity, Unreasonable expectations, and Lack of inspiration or passion.

employee wellbeing

Employee Wellbeing

The link between employee wellbeing and productivity is well established but, as we move into the post-pandemic phase, it will be harder than ever for managers to keep the two in harmony.

Stress management strategies using EI

Stress management strategies using EI

Have authentic, emotionally intelligent relationships with people. Associate with those whose company you enjoy and who support you. Authenticity requires self-awareness and emotional expression so that when in conversation with an individual you are able to share your feelings openly, including any distractions impairing your ability to concentrate on them.

stress factors

Stress factors and coping techniques

How can we avoid distress?

We cannot. However, we can learn techniques to keep distress to a minimum by increasing our coping strategies. We can also use eustress appropriately in our occupations to improve our performance and inspire others.

SALE NOW ON 15% OFF ALL COURSES EXCL MONTHLY PLANS
Browse our courses

High impact, virtual micro-learning for maximum output. All programmes are £100 and can be toped up to a full CMI Level 5 Qualification.

For all levels of managers, fully accredited qualifications to supercharge careers and earning power.

Courses available with CMI & PRINCE2 Frameworks.

For all types of consultants, either wishing to enter the field or already working and looking to develop into strategic roles.

For all types of leaders looking to develop their leadership and communications skills, and nurture and build effective and functional teams. 

Browse our courses
cmi logo
OTHM Qualifications Logo

High impact, virtual micro-learning for maximum output. All programmes are £100 and can be toped up to a full CMI Level 5 Qualification.

For all levels of managers, fully accredited qualifications to supercharge careers and earning power.

Aimed at leaders managing projects, although the qualification is also open to learners wishing to build on their general management skills.

For all types of consultants, either wishing to enter the field or already working and looking to develop into strategic roles.

For all types of leaders looking to develop their leadership and communications skills, and nurture and build effective and functional teams.