Why am I changing careers again? Reflections on your mindset.
There is no right or wrong time to move in sales: great sales talent is needed all year round. There is only the right time to move for you.
Any interviewer worth their salt will approach the question of “why are you looking to change jobs?” with one eye on your position within their firm:
- How reliable is this person?
- Are they going to look for another job within a year or two?
- Can I rely on them to stay focused and loyal when the going gets tough?
- Are they dedicated?
- What motivates them?
- Do they want to move for money or a career change, or is something else?
In sales, like any job that involves high pressure, high standards, customer service and continuity of service, your mindset has to be absolutely focused on the job at hand. Your employer also has a duty of care to create a working environment in which you can flourish and excel, in whatever way delivers great results.
The answers you give to this question will paint a picture of your mindset, and will colour the reasons why you want to join this new firm in either a positive or negative light. It’s one of the most important and reflective questions an interviewer can ask, and it’s absolutely vital you get the answer right that reflects a positive mindset for moving.
Post-pandemic, it’s also wise to bring into the fold anecdotal reasoning behind why you’re looking for a new job in the wake of the greatest upset to working norms in 100 years.
Employers will expect you to talk about how you dealt with the pandemic and you can afford to be candid about how you got through it and why you feel now is the time for change.
There are a few things you can do before an interview to make sure when approached with this question you know how to answer it, and this helpful guide from Forbes has a number of a mindset pointers for the prospective candidate, including:
Seek contemporary feedback from people in that role:
- If you’re stepping into a lateral role in a new industry, or re-skilling, this is vital, but even for seasoned sales people this is a great tool to learn more about how other professionals in this line of work are handling work loads and more about the working culture.
Have a growth mindset:
- Focus on your development and growth as a professional.
Ensure success where you currently work:
- Being able to step away from a role knowing you've mastered it stands you in great stead for moving on or up. You need to prove to any prospective employer you’ve delivered on your current role, to prove to them you’re able to deliver for them.
How to prepare for question about "changing careers" when stepping into a new industry.
Michael R. Neece, CEO at Interview Mastery, approached the specific scenario of stepping into a new industry as the basis for some sage advice on career changing:
“Most people change their career or industry several times during their working life. This is normal and healthy. However, when you’re on the cusp of changing you must have a
well-structured response to the interviewer's concern that you don’t have previous experience in this new field or industry.
The strategy is to focus on what you do have rather than what you don’t have. Here is a powerful response strategy with an example. Use this framework to write down your own specific response so you can handle this difficult situation comfortably.
Interviewer:
‘I’m concerned with your lack of experience (or education) in this industry (or this career)’.
Your response:
That’s a good concern. I’d like to share with you some additional information about that’.
‘From my previous experience, industry research and informational interviews, I’ve learned that to be successful in this career (or this industry) requires the following’.
‘A Passionate attention to detail, persistence & unwavering focus on results, staying current on industry dynamics and professional certifications, as well as the flexibility and intellectual agility to respond to constant change’.
‘I can give you specific examples where I’ve demonstrated each of these talents. Which of these qualities would you like me to elaborate upon?’”