Changing from Chemical / Pharmaceuticals industries.
Discussion
Hi. Im currently working as a Analytical Chemist for a chemical manufacturer which I have been doing for the last 8 years. I am pretty much at the top end of the salary scale that this role offers so looking at my next move. Management would be the next obvious step but doesn't really appeal to me. Possibly looking at a completely different career path if the earning potential has more to offer. Has anyone been in a similar position and what direction did you take?
You are me 12 months ago! I worked for an instrument vendor from 2002 until March of this year. At around 2008 I was promoted to a level that I knew I wouldn't progress beyond in that company. This was because no matter how successful I was it didn't matter.
Here's the other thing...... I had always planned on going into one industry but fell into pharma. I wanted to get back onto the original track but would get promoted so the cycle would happen again. So, by 2009 I realize that I hate my job and it was going no where. I started applying to the "other" industry.
For 6 years I only applied for jobs outside of pharma
New Year's Eve 2015 I had to speak to HR about one of me team so thought I'd ask about prospects for myself. This was when I was told no one in my position had any opportunity. Well, at least it wasn't just me. I had spent 6 years. I had to get another job. I applied to another vendor and got the job on the spot. They then promoted me before I started with out me knowing.
I started in March. My manager immediately changed jobs so I took his role. I was now working alongside the VP and impacting the CEO of a 50k people org. I was told that I would be MD (senior director)within a year. However, week one I got a call. It was from someone in the other industry and she was insistent. It was my "dream" job a week previous but now everything was different. I turned her down.
She kept calling and ultimately I accepted. I'm now at a relatively junior level and starting my career again. But, I make more money now than I previously did and I have no one reporting to me. I'm a long way away from MD but once I get there I will be earning 3 times as much as MD in Pharma
It's a huge gamble and my new employers know they are gambling as well. Hopefully it will work out for us both.
If it all goes wrong, the pharma company has offered to take me back whenever I call.
What I will say is that when writing down your experience it will be meaningless outside of your current industry. So focus on skills and what you can do for them. You just have to find the one person willing to take the risk.
Here's the other thing...... I had always planned on going into one industry but fell into pharma. I wanted to get back onto the original track but would get promoted so the cycle would happen again. So, by 2009 I realize that I hate my job and it was going no where. I started applying to the "other" industry.
For 6 years I only applied for jobs outside of pharma
New Year's Eve 2015 I had to speak to HR about one of me team so thought I'd ask about prospects for myself. This was when I was told no one in my position had any opportunity. Well, at least it wasn't just me. I had spent 6 years. I had to get another job. I applied to another vendor and got the job on the spot. They then promoted me before I started with out me knowing.
I started in March. My manager immediately changed jobs so I took his role. I was now working alongside the VP and impacting the CEO of a 50k people org. I was told that I would be MD (senior director)within a year. However, week one I got a call. It was from someone in the other industry and she was insistent. It was my "dream" job a week previous but now everything was different. I turned her down.
She kept calling and ultimately I accepted. I'm now at a relatively junior level and starting my career again. But, I make more money now than I previously did and I have no one reporting to me. I'm a long way away from MD but once I get there I will be earning 3 times as much as MD in Pharma
It's a huge gamble and my new employers know they are gambling as well. Hopefully it will work out for us both.
If it all goes wrong, the pharma company has offered to take me back whenever I call.
What I will say is that when writing down your experience it will be meaningless outside of your current industry. So focus on skills and what you can do for them. You just have to find the one person willing to take the risk.
Great last paragraph there HoBo; sums it up nicely.
I see too often people explaining their competencies and impact in a way that they like to read it rather than how it needs to read to a potential employer; the difference is like night and day!
Good luck OP; if you need a critical eye to look over your CV with this in mind, just drop it across.
I see too often people explaining their competencies and impact in a way that they like to read it rather than how it needs to read to a potential employer; the difference is like night and day!
Good luck OP; if you need a critical eye to look over your CV with this in mind, just drop it across.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff