How are we switching sectors these days?

[u/_nicoleck_]

I’m a marketing generalist who has spent the past few years in music/live entertainment and I’m looking to leave that specific industry (7+ years of working 12+ hour days and weekends is enough for me). I have experience working in (briefly) higher ed, a bit in F&B/hospitality, and then a decent amount in non profits (worked at one that had a music/arts component).

My resume is kept pretty general, showcasing achievements like “drove $X in revenue,” “increased engagements by X%” etc. and all the things the job descriptions ask and want from a candidate.

I feel like when it’s a different sector, they want people who already have experience in that sector regardless of skill set and achievements. Anyone got advice or examples of how they’ve pivoted sectors these days in this highly competitive market right now?

[u/blackboyx9x]

Yah, sector experience is important nowadays. I tried applying to retail industry jobs with mainly software experience. Everybody wants sector experience. It makes you feel stuck.

[u/_nicoleck_ → u/blackboyx9x]

The feeling stuck part is the worst thing. It makes me feel like I made the wrong choices but I know it’s just how the job market is now.

[u/theedrama → u/blackboyx9x]

I’ve been trying to get into retail and healthcare for so long. I’m also stuck in software

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[u/PlantedinCA]

Folks are prioritizing unicorns these days. You need to niche down to the place where you look like a unicorn.

[u/_nicoleck_ → u/PlantedinCA]

I feel like one though - my old boss called me a unicorn candidate 😭

But I get what you’re saying.

[u/tyler289]

I went from sports > agency that had a huge mix of clients > alcohol and mainly leveraged how my skills could help them directly. For the first move I led with my experience with stakeholders, deadlines and tight budgets. For the next move I showed examples of my range and how my fundamentals fit across a diverse portfolio. Sector experience is great but as someone who now hires I love non sector people who show creative chops and the right attitude. Alcohol industry is full of agencies scamming brands so always enjoy when I can work with people who bring fresh ideas with the ability to pivot to fit whatever the sector demands.

[u/_nicoleck_ → u/tyler289]

Thanks! This is helpful.

I’ve honestly considered pivoting to an agency (which I know some people will say that’s crazy but I say that those people never worked in live entertainment which is truly 24/7 nonsense). I would like the work and it feels you can parlay a lot of current work easier.

[u/No_Negotiation2905]

I wasn’t successful 🫩 I’m trapped in corporate B2B SaaS industry.

[u/sumizeit]

honestly the move is to lean on networking way more than applications when you're switching sectors, since gatekeepers default to "safe" hires with industry experience on paper. try reaching out to people in the sector you want, even just for coffee chats, and get a referral in before your resume ever hits an ATS. also worth tailoring your bullet points per industry instead of keeping.