Help in Shifting careers

[Tigger]

I used to be a programmer but now I want a change in career. I'm willing to start from the bottom and work my way up so to speak as I have no relevant work experience except for programming. Unfortunately, I have a feeling a lot of HR people don't give me a chance to prove myself and let me go through the testing and interviewing process and junk my resume just based on my work experience. Any suggestions?

[rabbaddal]

What field are you planning to shift into? The closest area w/in your peripheral is a sales career in the IT industry, perhaps as a client rep for a software company like Oracle, IBM, or SAP. Since your technical competence is already established, you just have to prove that you can meet sales targets and grow the business. You can also try consulting for firms like Soluziona, Accenture, or Headstrong.

However, if you're planning to shift to another industry, then you'll need to do more strategizing.

[tina11]

Yeah, what field are you planning to shift into? My suggestion is to try beefing up your resume first before applying. For example, if you want to shift to Marketing, look for projects where you could help in writing brochures or user manuals about the product you're working on. That way, you can demonstrate your skills in presenting and marketing the product. If you want to try consulting, find a way to interact with the customer more. You get the idea. If your present company is not flexible enough to give you opportunities like this, my advice is to do some projects with relatives/friends who have small businesses. Or, related to what rabbaddal suggested, find a job first in a position somewhat more relevant to your technical experience but at the same time, also allows you to develop other skills.

If you're successful at this, when you're finally interviewing for your dream job, you can prove that aside from the problem solving skills developed in your programming stint, you're resourceful, well-rounded, are a fast learner, and wanted the job bad enough to prepare for it - that you have foresight and determination, compared to other people who just walk in with no relevant experience and expect to be hired. :D

[Tigger]

You guys make it sound so easy. But I'm currently without a job and am just helping out in the family business which is so totally unrelated to what I want to do (PR, advertising, basta something creative). And it's finding the first job to be your stepping stone that is the problem.

[tina11]

but that's perfect, if you're involved in the family business, you could do PR-related things there with no boss to limit your ideas. like thinking of new, cost-effective ways to pitch your product to clients. positioning your product. find new customers using your network of contacts from school and your previous job. interviewers love stuff like that. sorry i can't give more specific examples... try talking to people who are currently working in PR and advertising to get better ideas. :D

[Saikee]

Originally posted by Tigger
You guys make it sound so easy. But I'm currently without a job and am just helping out in the family business which is so totally unrelated to what I want to do (PR, advertising, basta something creative). And it's finding the first job to be your stepping stone that is the problem.

well as the others said, it'll really help if u tell us what u wanna shift to. we can give better advice that way.

[rabbaddal]

Originally posted by Tigger
You guys make it sound so easy. But I'm currently without a job and am just helping out in the family business which is so totally unrelated to what I want to do (PR, advertising, basta something creative). And it's finding the first job to be your stepping stone that is the problem.

tina11 is right. Being a part of the family business gives you the chance to be entrepreneurial and to innovate - two very important qualities that upper echelon recruiters are looking for in applicants. Believe it or not, the line between running your own business and working in a "high level job" is getting thinner as market competition increases. This may sound unfair, but like it or not, good jobs are no longer going to be offered on a sliver platter (aka. finding somebody to give you a chance). Be resourceful enough to create your own opportunities so you can show prospective employers that you have demonstrated your capabilities. Good for you, you have a family business in w/c you can use as a platform to demosntrate these skills. If your family business is not flexible enough to allow you to do what you have to do, then do some freelancing. There are lots of PEXers in this forum looking for business plan builders, for example, and you can volunteer to help them out.

[Totnak Boy]

Originally posted by Tigger
You guys make it sound so easy. But I'm currently without a job and am just helping out in the family business which is so totally unrelated to what I want to do (PR, advertising, basta something creative). And it's finding the first job to be your stepping stone that is the problem.

Hey there!

For starters, your stepping stone doesn't have to be a job :) I was put in the same situation as you before. I'm a CPA who used to work for an auditing firm, but I wanted to do something fun and creative. So I did my own freelance webdesign and graphic design. I knew nothing about it, so I just invested my time searching for materials in the web, then spend a couple of thousand bucks for some books. It might take a while, but you could use your stay in your family business to earn while you're trying to learn your craft during idle hours :)

[Zeratul]

Wag ka lang magbenta ng MLM-FOREVER LIVING PRODUCTS. Baka maging unggoy ka rin tulad nina Marcelo Larungayan, Solvent Boy, Strange Dejavu, at makasama mo sa bilangguan sina delos Santos at Rose Baladjay.

Why not get a masters degree related to that field? It's never too late to return to the academe! Whatever dream job you want, just be accountable to your own efforts. You'll surely find what you're searching for, trust me. :)

[vandolph]

I'm getting tired of working in the IT industry. I've been in it for 19 years na. Parang gusto ko na mag-shift ng career. Kaso, di ko alam kung anong career? Ang hirap ng problema ko

[Totnak Boy]

Originally posted by vandolph
I'm getting tired of working in the IT industry. I've been in it for 19 years na. Parang gusto ko na mag-shift ng career. Kaso, di ko alam kung anong career? Ang hirap ng problema ko

19 years? Wow! I know someone who has the same problem, but he's been into IT for "just" 15 years. He's also tired of the industry and is now planning a career shift. I told him to try and remember his hobbies and interests back when he was in college or was just starting to work. Then cook up crazy ideas of turning those hobbies into something profitable. Sometimes everything worthwhile starts from crazy ideas :) Turns out we have common interests, and right now he's looking at several businesses of my line :)

Maybe you could start from there. Hey, maybe he can even help you out :)

[vandolph]

Originally posted by Totnak Boy
19 years? Wow! I know someone who has the same problem, but he's been into IT for "just" 15 years. He's also tired of the industry and is now planning a career shift. I told him to try and remember his hobbies and interests back when he was in college or was just starting to work. Then cook up crazy ideas of turning those hobbies into something profitable. Sometimes everything worthwhile starts from crazy ideas :) Turns out we have common interests, and right now he's looking at several businesses of my line :)

Maybe you could start from there. Hey, maybe he can even help you out :)

Actually, masaya ako ngayon sa CD collecting. I was thinking of making a business out of it like selling copies of it or making compilations. But, that would be illegal. Kung magtatayo naman ako ng CD store, it's not a lucrative business. Gusto kong business, yung magagamit ko ang CD collection ko because I've already invested a huge amount of money in it. Pero di ko alam kung ano.

[fallen432@yahoo]

Originally posted by vandolph
I'm getting tired of working in the IT industry. I've been in it for 19 years na. Parang gusto ko na mag-shift ng career. Kaso, di ko alam kung anong career? Ang hirap ng problema ko

Hi, unang post ko ito kaya kinakabahan pa =). Ako din din. Pakilala lang. I'm 26, graduated with Econ degree in 97, worked in a bank for 2 years, got tired of the job, the salary and my boss so I quit, landed a job in an IT company as an implementor of financial systems, and currently handling sys ad functions.

Sa mga nasa IT companies, maganda pa ba prospects ng IT for the next few years?

Gusto ko na ring magpalit ulit ng career dahil parang mahina na professional growth sa IT lalo na sa mga katulad kong kaunti lang ang IT experience and skills. Kumbaga, masuwerte yung mga nauna na sa IT. Sa company lang nga namin ngayon eh, ang kaunti ng projects, ang daming naka-tambay lang sa office. Tapos, ang job offer sa ibang IT companies, baba sweldo. Saturated na nga ba IT market?

Saang industry ang magandang puntahan kaya? Ang problema pa, medyo limited options dahil kulang nga sa job experience at mahirap makakuha ng sweldo na at least close sa salary ko ngayon. Medyo umaasa kasi sa kin pamilya ko sa finance part.

[Tigger]

Originally posted by vandolph
I'm getting tired of working in the IT industry. I've been in it for 19 years na. Parang gusto ko na mag-shift ng career. Kaso, di ko alam kung anong career? Ang hirap ng problema ko

19 years?! ang tagal nun ah! how did you last that long and what prompted you to suddenly want a shift in career?

[vandolph]

Originally posted by Tigger
19 years?! ang tagal nun ah! how did you last that long and what prompted you to suddenly want a shift in career?

E kasi Electronics Engineer ako by profession. I got a break in the IT industry when I was offered to do LAN technical support. Since then ganun na ang trabaho ko.

Para kasing wala nang challenge sa trabaho ko. Same stuff, day in day out. Burned out na ako. That's why I'm thinking of shifting careers. Or maybe I just need to do something on the side to make my life less boring. hehehehe

[vandolph]

Originally posted by fallen432@yahoo
Hi, unang post ko ito kaya kinakabahan pa =). Ako din din. Pakilala lang. I'm 26, graduated with Econ degree in 97, worked in a bank for 2 years, got tired of the job, the salary and my boss so I quit, landed a job in an IT company as an implementor of financial systems, and currently handling sys ad functions.

Sa mga nasa IT companies, maganda pa ba prospects ng IT for the next few years?

Gusto ko na ring magpalit ulit ng career dahil parang mahina na professional growth sa IT lalo na sa mga katulad kong kaunti lang ang IT experience and skills. Kumbaga, masuwerte yung mga nauna na sa IT. Sa company lang nga namin ngayon eh, ang kaunti ng projects, ang daming naka-tambay lang sa office. Tapos, ang job offer sa ibang IT companies, baba sweldo. Saturated na nga ba IT market?

Saang industry ang magandang puntahan kaya? Ang problema pa, medyo limited options dahil kulang nga sa job experience at mahirap makakuha ng sweldo na at least close sa salary ko ngayon. Medyo umaasa kasi sa kin pamilya ko sa finance part.

Prospects for the IT this year is dim. There are speculations that it will pick up slowly starting next year. Sobrang hirap maghanap ng clients ngayon. Di ko alam kung tatagal pa company namin.

[Totnak Boy]

vandolph: right, you could start from there :) i've already got some crazy ideas running, they might even sound too crazy if i post them here hehe :) you have an e-mail na lang or a contact no? or text me at 0919-3813085, i'm thinking of several businesses in that line also, maybe we could work something out :)

[terradyne]

i also have the same problem. Im currently working in a semicon company, leader in microprocessors. Unfortunately, im not happy with the kind of work im doing. The reason im still here is the promise of stocks and US relocation. But now im thinking ahead and realized that i want to go into "financial analyst" type of work.
do you guys have any idea what kind of masters degree that i should take?

[Totnak Boy]

Originally posted by terradyne
i also have the same problem. Im currently working in a semicon company, leader in microprocessors. Unfortunately, im not happy with the kind of work im doing. The reason im still here is the promise of stocks and US relocation. But now im thinking ahead and realized that i want to go into "financial analyst" type of work.
do you guys have any idea what kind of masters degree that i should take?

I would say Masteral Studies in Computational Finance should help, but I wouldn't recommend rushing to Graduate Studies at once.

Read starter books on the topic (if you haven't), try to absorb what you can there, then move on to books that have more depth on the matter. Reading the Robert Kiyosaki series until book 3 will help you lay the basic foundation on financial analysis :)

If you plan to work as financial analyst of several clients or companies, the masteral degree should help more, but if you plan to practice analysis to build your own portfolio, you won't need it as much. Start with books first, go to websites, and attend seminars. It would be cost-effective that way, and you can learn at your own pace :) I tell you, what I know right now regarding finances, i learned from books more than from my accountancy degree :)

hth!

[vandolph]

Dumating na yung kinakatakutan ko. I lost my job last week. :(

[dekster]

How hard/easy would you guys say it is to move from a "quasi" managerial accounting job to a higher level finance related job, for example, in a bank? I would say that I would be applying a set of skills (slightly) different to the one I'm using now.

To add to the situation, let's say you are in the process of getting a masters in finance and becoming a CFA.

Do you think one should stay in his/her first job for a minimum length of time before moving?

Also... when do you think would it be too late to start over in one's career?

[rabbaddal]

Originally posted by dekster
How hard/easy would you guys say it is to move from a "quasi" managerial accounting job to a higher level finance related job, for example, in a bank? I would say that I would be applying a set of skills (slightly) different to the one I'm using now.

To add to the situation, let's say you are in the process of getting a masters in finance and becoming a CFA.

Do you think one should stay in his/her first job for a minimum length of time before moving?

Also... when do you think would it be too late to start over in one's career?

From what I understand, you just graduated from college very recently. In that case, make the transition as soon as you realize that what's good for you is somewhere else espescially if your target job is very different from what you're doing right now. If you cannot move right away, find some way to demonstrate that you belong where you want to go. Join a professional association, network, seek advice from people who successfully made a career change, do some pro bono (aka. free) work in your target profession. At the end of the day, what's important is that you manage your career in your terms. Think of career as your own business. If you see an opportunity, take it. BTW, while a CFA and a masters in finance may boost your chances of getting an entry-level analyst job in a higher level finance field (ex. investment management), they are by no means pre-requisites. Keep your eyes and ears open even as you finish your degree and earn a CFA and you may just land that job that you're looking for.

[Stampede]

Originally posted by terradyne
i also have the same problem. Im currently working in a semicon company, leader in microprocessors. Unfortunately, im not happy with the kind of work im doing. The reason im still here is the promise of stocks and US relocation. But now im thinking ahead and realized that i want to go into "financial analyst" type of work.
do you guys have any idea what kind of masters degree that i should take?

ahh the golden handcuff...

did you ask Intel (ya, pretty easy to figure out) if you could move to a finance type of work? wouldn't hurt, you know. what exactly do you do anyway? the transition might not be as seamless

i have former classmates at Intel (US) and they used to move freely. one even went to Intel Capital from a job at marketing. of course, this was before the tech bloodbath.

masters? you have your 'run-of-the-mill' mba or you could take an MA in economics. here's another idea: go earn a second degree from old school. that should be the least disruptive of all options.

good luck!

[Totnak Boy]

Originally posted by vandolph
Dumating na yung kinakatakutan ko. I lost my job last week. :(

oh that's tough... you resigned, or did they let you go? :( woah... that's after nineteen years of service....

so what are your plans right now?

[terradyne]

Originally posted by Stampede
ahh the golden handcuff...

did you ask Intel (ya, pretty easy to figure out) if you could move to a finance type of work? wouldn't hurt, you know. what exactly do you do anyway? the transition might not be as seamless

i have former classmates at Intel (US) and they used to move freely. one even went to Intel Capital from a job at marketing. of course, this was before the tech bloodbath.

masters? you have your 'run-of-the-mill' mba or you could take an MA in economics. here's another idea: go earn a second degree from old school. that should be the least disruptive of all options.

good luck!

Im a product engr, our job is to support manufacturing on issues related to our product. Right now i dont see any development in me in terms of skills. Plus my boss is really stupid? screwed up?.... i dont know how to describe him but the point is i dont believe in him. The work is challenging but i dont see myself in the near future doing the same type of work. Also, i want to move out from the semicon bussiness.

I think ill take up your advise on getting another degree. Also, theres this course in Lasalle, MS on financial engineering. What do you think about this?

Thanks

[Tigger]

Totnak Boy: Reading books is a good idea....Can you recommend some for me? preferably along the lines of PR and advertising? Thanks!

[rabbaddal]

Originally posted by terradyne
I think ill take up your advise on getting another degree. Also, theres this course in Lasalle, MS on financial engineering. What do you think about this?


As per advise of Stampede it won't hurt to try and get an internal transfer to Intel's corporate finance dept. first if that is your interest. An MBA w/ concentration in finance is more appropriate if your target career is corporate finance. MS Financial Engineering is a specialized program that employs math and computer techniques to make options and derivatives pricing, hedging, trading and portfolio management decisions. Unless you are planning to move to the securities industry, particularly in options and derivatives (I do not know the job market for this area in the Philippines), then you may well consider an MBA instead. Intel might even be willing to subsidize the cost of your MBA.

There are also opportunities in product sales for people w/ your technical background in companies like IBM, HPQ, and Sun. But going back to what Stampede said earlier, try going for an internal transfer.

[Stampede]

Originally posted by terradyne
Im a product engr, our job is to support manufacturing on issues related to our product. Right now i dont see any development in me in terms of skills. Plus my boss is really stupid? screwed up?.... i dont know how to describe him but the point is i dont believe in him. The work is challenging but i dont see myself in the near future doing the same type of work. Also, i want to move out from the semicon bussiness.

I think ill take up your advise on getting another degree. Also, theres this course in Lasalle, MS on financial engineering. What do you think about this?

Thanks

sorry, not familiar with any of lasalle's programs. appears rabaddal is. but do ask around some more. this is a big decision, so you'll want more than one option (MSFE vs MBA vs MA vs second BS degree vs status quo, etc).

it's refreshing not to see remuneration as the cause of job dissatisfaction. just maybe then, your head's in the right place.

good luck

[vandolph]

Originally posted by Totnak Boy
oh that's tough... you resigned, or did they let you go? :( woah... that's after nineteen years of service....

so what are your plans right now?

The company folded up. I guess I have to look for another job. What job? I don't know yet.