Tech specialists – is it time to change sector?
In technology recruitment, candidate shortages are becoming more apparent for some technical skills, particularly for permanent roles. Traditionally clients have looked for candidates with “exact match” technical skills for the position that they are hiring for along with industry experience in the particular sector that they are recruiting for. This is still the case for certain sectors where salaries and daily rates are above the market average. For example, technology positions that are in the investment banking or hedge fund world will still require candidates that have experience of working in that sector previously. These sectors pay above market rate and can still afford to look for candidates in this way, even if the size of the candidate pool is decreasing.
In other sectors however, ones that have traditionally looked for previous industry experience as well as the technical skills fit, the clients are now becoming more open to candidates from outside the sector. Media and Retail including Retail Banking are all more willing to look at individuals without previous industry experience for contract and permanent roles. Some line managers will actively look to recruit from outside their sector to try and bring some new ideas and ways of thinking from other sectors into theirs.
So if you are looking for a new challenge, how do you go about changing sectors?The first port of call for many people that I have seen move from one sector to another is through their own individual network. If you have someone you have worked with before that can open up a new sector to you, this is a good option to explore.
Of course an experienced recruiter with excellent relationships with their clients can also open up a new career path to you. Here at Native Digital Talent, our clients view us as trusted recruitment partners, there to advise and provide specialist solutions to complete difficult mandates. They trust us because they know we understand their business and the sector they operate in. So if you do want to break into a new market, we will equally be able to advise you on the best way of doing this. We offer introductions to businesses that will be a good skills and cultural fit and where your previous experience from another industry will add real value to a new employer in a new market. If you have had experience of moving into a new sector, please let us know how the transition worked for you and if you are thinking about making a change, please get in touch.