Lessons learned: Networking, job transition during a pandemic
Rebecca Keran, CPA, MBA, CGMA | October 2020 Footnote
Generally, it’s a challenging process to find a new job during the best of times. There is a lot of time spent performing self-assessments of your experiences, making updates to your resume based on different job openings, and expanding your network across your industry and with business partners who may have insights into potential roles.
But now, amid a global pandemic? What an interesting, unique time to look for a new role.
I thought it might be beneficial to MNCPA members to hear about my experience of starting a new chapter as many businesses and lives were and are upended due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. Fortunately, for me, I was able to land on my feet and I hope you can benefit from what I learned.
Pre-pandemic experience
Coffee, coffee, coffee
My job search actually started in the pre-pandemic economy, which, of course, offered its own challenges. During that time, I had the luxury of meeting people at local coffee shops, cafes and conferences. I really enjoyed going to local coffee shops; sure, I got to check out a new place, but I also met many generous individuals who were willing to listen to my experience and focus for a new role.
This gave me practice working on my “elevator speech” and fine-tuning how I could present myself and my expertise beyond my resume and LinkedIn profile. Many of those new contacts also shared their networks with me, which was an obvious added benefit. I also liked having time to invest in my education through online courses and several local conferences.
Full-time job hunting
I organized my day and week around my job hunt. Networking meetings and conferences determined the day’s schedule, with other time filled in with research about companies and roles, documenting my journey and taking some scheduled time for personal wellness. Taking my dog on walks, cross country skiing and reading were pivotal in my wellness journey.
During a prior transition, I had a core team of finance colleagues who were laid off at the same time. We had weekly calls to motivate each other, to share potential roles, and help refine each other’s resumes and elevator speeches. It worked well as we each found a new role within a few months.
During my recent search, I met someone who shared his job search approach — he met with as many as 10 people every day during his search. He wrote letters to leaders who were mentioned in the business section of the Star Tribune about his search. He was tenacious about seeking the right new role. Ultimately, he found a chief operating officer role in less than five months! This inspired me to tackle my search in new ways.
It’s imperative to find different ways to go about this process (group support, one-on-one idea exchange, going solo) to open opportunities in many channels.
Consider the marketplace, potential allies
Many facets were different for this recent transition. The economy was stronger (it was winter 2019–20), so the competition for positions was tougher. Instead of networking only with colleagues and leaders in finance, I started meeting with individuals who work with financial leaders of organizations.
Bankers, attorneys, real estate brokers, marketing leaders and recruiters found out about potential roles through their normal course of work. Their business partners were the CFOs and controllers of their clients. I was also excited to meet individuals who were passionate about networking and, for them, they found joy in helping others find new roles. They were intentional about sharing opportunities with others, which helped those seeking new roles, as well as the companies with which they do business.
I was making good progress. During the first couple months of my job hunt, I had several multi-round interviews for exciting opportunities with a few companies. I leveraged my network to get interviews with these companies and share my expertise with colleagues who could influence the interview panels. I was runner-up for a couple roles and felt like I was building momentum toward a coveted position.
Pandemic time
Resilience, flexibility abound
Then the pandemic hit.
Interviews were halted. Company leaders shifted gears to focus internally. No more coffee meetings. No more conferences. No more in-person gatherings.
It was time to pivot.
I started watching many online webcasts related to the pandemic — leadership development, analysis of the CARES Act, PPP Loans, managing cash flow, how to transition a team to working remotely, financial systems that offered online capabilities for meetings, processing invoices electronically. I got more than two years’ worth of continuing education credits in only a few months.
I also kept reminding myself to be resilient, to be tenacious. Every day, I took at least one action to move my job hunt forward. I’d have coffee with someone virtually. I’d chat with a recruiter. I’d talk to at least one person in my new network. I’d send an update monthly on my progress to people who were interested in helping. You have to be courageous and share your progress and challenges.
Planted seeds will sprout
One night in March, I received a call from a recruiter. She heard about my transition from a banker she knew and with whom I had met. The recruiter shared an opportunity with me for a corporate controller role with a company in downtown Minneapolis. It was a retained search, so not publicly shared. We chatted about the role and my experience. A couple days later, I talked with the company’s HR leader by phone. Then the company offices were shut down due to the pandemic. Pause about a month.
During this time, I was concerned about what would happen with this role. Would the company put it on hold or no longer fill the position? I had to pivot again. I sent a note to the hiring managers about recent pandemic advice from webcasts I had taken; this was to help keep my name out there. I kept looking for other roles and expanding my network in other ways.
A process unlike any other
Then in mid-April, I interviewed virtually with the CFO. Before my interview, the recruiter shared some tips on what the company was looking for, and how to conduct remote interviews. I even watched a YouTube video about lighting and makeup! For the next few weeks, I had several blocks of virtual interviews with company leadership.
All through the interview process, I continued to consult with people in my network. What did they know about the company, the industry, the role? I emailed thank-you’s and periodic requests for updates. I also shared general information about topics I was learning related to financial considerations during the pandemic.
And guess what? They offered me a job! I had never been to the office and I hadn’t met anyone face to face before agreeing to becoming the corporate controller. Strange times indeed.
What I learned
Here are takeaways from my experience that might be beneficial to you in your future career transitions:
- You must be tenacious about pursuing a new role. Every day, take at least one action to move your job hunt forward. Talk to someone. Research a role. Refine your resume. Craft your elevator speech. You need to keep traction even if your wheels are spinning. Keep moving forward!
- Expand your network. People are really interested in helping someone find a new job. Share your job search with people you’ve never met. It’s not only about finding a connection to a targeted company. People may also hear about opportunities in their own work — and they could share those with you. Several people in my network shared information about roles they heard about; some were good fits, some were not. But their generosity in sharing that position gave me the chance to act. I will continue to do this for others.
- Develop a core team. I have a few good friends and professional colleagues who I could reach out to as sounding boards. It gave me the chance to talk through questions, and they gave me great ideas for how to address issues. It also helped me stay on track. They were honest with me about navigating away from silly opportunities and helped me be realistic about the focus of my job hunt.
- Stay positive. It’s easy to get down about not getting a job. I was runner-up for a few positions. But that just means it wasn’t the right role for me. You likely have experienced this and likely will again. Something better is out there that is a better opportunity.
- Be self-aware. You must be honest with yourself about your skills, talents and abilities. That’s where you will find the best fit — somewhere you can thrive.
It’s easy for anyone to feel overwhelmed by the challenge of transitioning positions, from expanding your network to signing documents for your new role. This has only been compounded given the current conditions of our economy and world. But I know that you can navigate these times in today’s world, and find the next great position. Good luck!
Becky Keran is the corporate controller of Omni Workspace Company. She is a former chair of the MNCPA board of directors. You may reach Becky at beckykeran@hotmail.com.
