Why choosing the right industry is just as important as role
A job is no longer a job. Rather it is an extension of our identity and if we don’t feel like we’re part of an industry, it can lead to demotivation and lack of joy in work. However, when applying for a new job, most of the time we focus on looking for the job role that meets our criteria, rather than industry.
Nevertheless, more times than ever an industry should be the first thing on the list for consideration when going through this process.
Although pinging back and forth within a role is gaining more expertise, skillsets and job role, we lose vital knowledge, processes and competitor knowledge about a product area, and time and time again we have to relearn a new area and how our role fits within this.
Skills can be transferable; however, industry knowledge is more difficult to do so. For example, marketing within a B2B company is completely different to how B2C company operates, so it will take longer to understand the industry processes rather than the job role.
Here are the 5 top reasons for focusing your next job search on industry:
- You get to work within a product area you enjoy
This area focuses on relating back to your intrinsic values. Review your values, beliefs and understand what you feel strongly about. Is it about being ethical, health or being creative? From this, you can identify industries that relate back to these values.
2. It provides a wider network of people with similar interests
It provides additional benefits to your lifestyle, such as a social circle and a chance for having a group with similar interests. It also provides a support network that can help you to grow faster within a field.
3. It makes it easier to learn and grow knowledge within a specific area
Once you find an industry that interests you and relates back to your values, it makes it easier to want to learn and grow and make time for development within this field. Whether that’s through blog posts, networking, or looking for new ways to problem-solve or change processes to make them more efficient.
4. It provides better job fulfilment and development opportunities
If you are in an industry that you connect with, it provides more job fulfilment and self-motivation to continue to grow. Even working through challenging times, you feel more likely to want to continue within the task at hand and not give up.
5. It provides the ability to provide positive change to the world
In modern times, we are more concerned with not just the glamourisation of a particular industry or rewards, rather we want to work within an industry that provides a positive stamp on the world. Whether that’s dealing with social, environmental or economic reasons, people want to enter industries that not only provides us with the lifestyle we desire but feel like our work is providing a positive influence.
Bear in mind that sometimes it takes time to understand in which industry you would be interested in pursuing a career. Sometimes industries are put upon us through family and social connections, demand or location, and we may not feel that initial connection towards it. Do some experimenting and take into consideration your needs and interests.
As well, there might be an amalgamation of industries you might want to get involved with, such as travel and wellbeing. This can provide a wider opportunity to try out roles within a similar industry and how it operates.
