{"id":2908,"date":"2021-03-10T09:33:57","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T09:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/?p=2908"},"modified":"2023-10-16T15:51:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T15:51:26","slug":"career-triple-jump-changing-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/career-triple-jump-changing-jobs\/","title":{"rendered":"The career triple jump: when changing jobs means changing everything"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-to-top”]For most of us, jumping to a new job produces a combination of both excitement and anxiety. That nerve-racking mix is multiplied when changing not only job functions but also sectors and countries<\/strong> \u2013 making what career placement professionals call the triple jump<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Such radical change is only for those who are prepared to rethink every aspect of their career: not only what they want to do, but also what industry they want to work in and what country they want to live in. It\u2019s not easy, but it may be possible if you have a realistic and flexible plan<\/strong> on how to achieve it.<\/p>\n

How can you make such a radical career change?<\/h2>\n

1.<\/span> Be realistic about what it takes<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

You might not want to set your hopes on moving to a country where work visas are virtually impossible to secure, or in a function that requires extensive technical knowledge that you just don\u2019t have. You also have to be aware of language limitations<\/strong>. If your dream is to work in China, you had better start taking Mandarin classes.<\/p>\n

Remember that you\u2019ll have to prove to potential employers that you\u2019re worth the risk. \u201cThe challenge with the triple jump is proving that you have what it takes on three new fronts. Basically, demonstrating that you not only have the technical skills for your new function, but that you understand the complexities of your new industry and geography<\/strong>\u201d, said Daniela Bocco, who after her MBA went from working in marketing in a U.S. construction company to being a sales product manager for Ab InBev in Mexico City.<\/p>\n

2.<\/span> Be flexible<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll have to show some give and take. Set your priorities and be\u00a0<\/span>willing to adapt to\u00a0<\/span>the rest.\u00a0<\/span>You may have to aim for a region rather than a specific country,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0for example,<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span>\u00a0go into<\/span>\u00a0a sector such as<\/span>\u00a0consulting which is more amenable to such a move.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rahul Parikh was working for a boutique executive search firm in the U.S.<\/span>\u00a0before he did his\u00a0<\/span>MBA<\/span><\/a>\u00a0at IESE; now\u00a0<\/span>he\u2019s working for food delivery platform\u00a0<\/span>DiDi<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Food Mexico. For him, his priorities<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>\u00a0chang<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0industry and country \u2013 but<\/span>\u00a0he<\/span>\u00a0knew it was possible that perhaps his functions would be similar. \u201c<\/span>I understood that I may not get to be as picky in terms of function area, given that industry and geography were my top two priorities,\u201d he said<\/span>\u00a0(although in the end he was able to change all three)<\/span>.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span> Look for<\/span><\/span> a structured program in a big company<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Leadership or rotational programs in companies take a longer-term view of employees, and may be less focused on having very specific qualifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201cThese programs are looking for future talent,\u201d says<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Patrik<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Wall\u00e9n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of IESE\u2019s Career Development Center.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Competition for places in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>leadership<\/span><\/span>\u00a0programs is very tough<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, but they\u00a0<\/span><\/span>do\u00a0<\/span><\/span>exist in companies across industries.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span> Do\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the right<\/span><\/span>\u00a0program\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in the right\u00a0<\/span><\/span>school<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll most likely need to boost your knowledge and skills in order to make such a drastic change. Choose\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a program at a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>university keeping in mind that your end goal is to make a triple jump.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The fact is that if you\u2019d like to work in the U.S., doing an MBA in the U.S. is probably\u00a0<\/span><\/span>your<\/span><\/span>\u00a0best choice.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I<\/span><\/span>f you\u2019re looking to work\u00a0<\/span><\/span>internationally<\/span><\/span>, a school like IESE has global companies recruiting it students.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Make sure that the university<\/span><\/span>\u00a0you choose<\/span><\/span>\u00a0is a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0target school for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the kind of company you\u2019d like to work for<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]

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