ASK GORICK ANYTHING
“How to make an internal career pivot?”
💡 The quick answer: Reach out to your relevant mutual connections (and anyone else you can find).
THE QUESTION
“I applied for a new position today at my company (a Fortune 50). Would it be wrong to reach out to others on the team to talk about the position since I’m currently an employee?
I don’t have any experience in the area that I’m applying for technically, but know that I can do the job as I do have experiences they are looking for. I am excited about the possibility of the job and would like to do everything I can to not let it slip away.”
—Stephanie W. from Fresno, CA
GORICK'S RESPONSE
Hi Stephanie,
Congratulations on putting yourself out there and applying!
To answer directly: No, it is not wrong at all. In fact, I'd even go as far as saying that I expect the person who'll eventually be hired to be someone the hiring manager either (A) already knows or (B) was introduced to by someone else.
Here's “Exhibit A” of proof: a classmate from business school currently at [another Fortune 50] emailed me just last month with the following message. She's using every connection available to her to get to the person hiring (so I doubt I'm the only person she pinged).
So, I'd do 3 things if I were in your shoes:
1) Find someone who can introduce you to someone on the team that you're interested in.
People are more likely to respond if they want you to succeed—and people are more likely to want you to succeed if they find you compatible (see my explanation of the Three C's here).
So, start by looking at who's on the team you want to join.
Is there someone who...
(A) also transitioned from another team (so can empathize)?
(B) has something in common with you?
(C) has worked with you (or knows someone you're close to)?
Next, go on LinkedIn, look up this person, see if you can find a mutual connection and, if so, pinpoint the person you know best. Then, ask for an intro!
Here's a script to try (this one is admittedly a bit more formal than the note I got, but go with the style that best fits the type of relationship with the person you're contacting):
“I am wondering if you might be close enough to [person you'd like to meet] to make an introduction?...” (Include a link to their online profile if possible). I'm currently [your role/department] and looking to [join X team]. I noticed that [person you'd like to get introduced to] is on [X team] and you are connected via [platform]. I was hoping to specifically get [person you'd like to get introduced to]'s perspective on their [mention commonality that might make you more interesting or relevant]. No pressure if I caught you at a bad time—kindly let me know either way.”
2) Look for someone on the team you applied to join that you can cold email.
If you can't find a mutual connection, I'd try cold outreach like this:
“Hi [person you'd like to meet with], I'm currently in [your current role] on the [your domain] side and love the work your group is doing because [be specific!!!]. I recently submitted an application for the [X role] and would love to learn how your team's current priorities might overlap with what I've done over at [your current role]. Specifically, I'd like to think I could help you [be specific!!!] and would love to discuss further. Might you be open to a 15-minute conversation sometime next week? If so, I'm available at [share your availability in their time zone]. No worries if not—please let me know either way.”
3) Ask whoever you speak with, “Who should I speak with next?”
Connections are the key to landing any role, but it always takes more than one conversation with more than one person to go from connection to coffee chat to interview to job offer!
Consider asking the following at the end of any coffee chat (or even at the end of a brief conversation if that’s all you were able to get):
“[This was so helpful! / Got it, thank you!] Is there anyone else on the team—or someone who made a similar transition within [your company]—that you think I should chat with?”
Remember: the worst that could (usually) happen is that someone says no. So, putting yourself out there over and over again is the best way to stumble upon doors that lead you to new opportunities (including ones you may not have even thought of in the first place).
In fact, I believe in this advice so strongly that I have an entire slide devoted to it in one of my keynotes:
In other words: When in doubt, send the networking note / email / message / connection! You never know where it might lead you.
Hope this was helpful, and best of luck!
See you in October for our next AMA,
Gorick
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WHAT I'M READING
Here are 3 articles that I found interesting recently (some with paywalls, but your first article should be free):
- Gen Z is turning hobbies into work — and missing the point (Washington Post)
- ‘But enough about you …’ How to survive in a world of monologuists, interrupters and trauma dumpers (The Guardian)
- Policy—not PR—will determine Gen Z’s trust in AI (Brookings)
MORE OF MY WORK
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