Changing careers is a big deal. More and more people are considering it, and doing it in recent years. The pandemic created an opportunity for many employees to pause and re-evaluate their current careers and consider what they really wanted out of their work.
Concurrently, job growth at startups has been outpacing the overall private job sector for years. A recent study concluded that growth at VC-backed companies grew 960% over a 30 year period from 1990-2020 as compared to 40% in the total private sector overall.
In the last few years, working for a startup has become more attractive for many, as pandemic-related work shifts have led to an increase in remote work and flexible schedules. The demand for talent at startups has been on the rise, resulting in a stronger market with more options for job seekers. Among many benefits, startups tend to be progressive, more open to remote work, and the opportunities for growth and exposure to a variety of inner-workings of the business are plentiful.
For many, working for startups is a dream they haven’t felt they could realize because they built their career in other fields and the move doesn’t seem to make sense. And others may have never realized the opportunities and benefits of working for a startup. Knowing this, and having worked inside startups and with them over most of my career, I created an offering inside of my 1:1 coaching container called Transition to Tech.
Coaching support helps to expedite the transition to a new industry, and helps job seekers realize their perceived leap is within reach. What a lot of job changers don’t realize is how big a role mindset plays in making the transition. When we believe something is possible, can get clear on what we want, and visualize it, amazing opportunities open that we didn’t even realize were possible before. I’ve witnessed this time and time again in my own life as well as in my clients’ experiences. Through a process that also involves honing transferable skills, mastering influence in the interview process, and effectively leveraging personal networks, transitioning into a new role is not just possible, but an amazing opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Curious to learn what it’s like to transition into a tech startup career from another career outside of tech? I sat down with former coaching client Eliza Rafferty, now a Customer Success Manager at Toast, to discuss the process of transitioning away from her 12-year catering management career into the Boston startup scene.
Here’s a bit of our conversation:
Christine: What were the factors that prompted you to consider a career in startup tech?
Eliza: After many years in the same industry I began feeling stagnated and drained rather than energized at work. I knew something had to change, and I had the urge to do something different, where I could still use my most valuable skills.
I was always curious about the tech field and culture, I love to learn and enjoy fast paced work - but it seemed so outside my wheelhouse. At the same time I learned that tech companies were starting to hire candidates like me that could bring organizational and soft skills to their customers and industry. Also, on a personal level, at this point in my life I knew that a remote work environment with a more steady schedule was what I craved for myself and my family.
Christine: You made a big change! What did you do to get ready to make the transition and apply for jobs like the one you have now at Toast?
Eliza: The best thing I did was hire a career coach, so many things had changed since I had last started a job search, making that investment was crucial in my success. I had no idea where to begin, how to organize my thoughts or what roles I was qualified for (or was interested in). Having support and an outside perspective was invaluable in that process.
After we really narrowed down what types of roles that might be interesting to me in the tech field, I started researching the types of companies that I wanted to work for. I was making a really big change and wanted to make sure it was going to be a good fit both for me, and the company I ended up working for.
I wanted to work for a company with a culture that resonated with me, that really lived the values they stood for. Also, since I knew because I was transitioning into a different industry where I was probably going to be making a lateral, if not lower than lateral move, I wanted to know there were going to be opportunities to grow.
The other thing that really helped was talking to anyone I could who was either working for a company I was interested in, working in a position that I was interested in, or had made a similar career change. I tried to talk with people at a variety of levels and people who had been in the industry for a while or just starting. Those conversations were invaluable, and are ultimately what lead to me being hired at Toast.
Christine: How did your mindset play into the process?
Eliza: I went through a lot of stages - but when I finally made the decision to move on, it was freeing and exciting. I kept my main goals in mind and approached everything as being curious.
I also wrapped my head around the fact that I was probably going to be “uncomfortable” and frustrated for a bit but that this wasn’t a bad thing. I was going from a position where I was the expert, to not knowing anything - I mean everything is new. I vowed to not be afraid to ask even the smallest questions and to be as open and honest with my managers and colleagues as possible.
I found it really reassuring that Toast understands that their product is constantly growing and changing. I could quickly see that they are putting so much time and effort into how departments are enabled and structured, always putting their employees and customers first. I can see the roadmap and it is exciting to be here at this moment in time. I always think of it like this - I am learning how to fix a car, while driving it, while that car is simultaneously turning into a plane that I will eventually need to learn how to fly. Knowing that change is a constant, helps me to manage the day to day and my personal expectations.
Christine: How are you leveraging skills from your last industry now in your new role at Toast?
Eliza: The mission statement of my department, Restaurant Success, is “creating raving fans and successful restaurants.” Once I understood that and started seeing everything I do through this lens, I knew this was going to be a great role for me.
I use the communication skills from my previous roles every day at work - making sure people feel heard and understood while at the same time providing information and resources to help them succeed in the clearest way possible.
Fast paced time management skills are really important and something I developed over the course of my career. How to determine what needs to get done first and how to not let a fire that comes up throw you off course for the day/week. I also know at what times of day I am the most productive and schedule projects accordingly.
I also believe I was hired because of my decision making skills - we will always do right by the customer. A lot of times, I let my manager know why I took a course of action, rather than asking what I should be doing.
I would say that the last skill from my previous roles that I really use is knowing how to ask questions and then look for answers. That is a big learning curve just knowing what the question is and then there are lots of sources to look for solutions or answers - but we also approach many things as a team.
Christine: What do you love about your new role?
Eliza: I absolutely love all of the people I work with. Every single person I have met has been kind, genuine, and supportive. Being able to answer a question for a customer, and find a great solution for them is also really fulfilling. I also love the schedule and working from home, being able to walk my kids to school and pick them up in the afternoon has been life changing.
Christine Fiske is a mindful leadership coach to startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Her VIP methodology starts with Vision Casting and includes Inner Alignment and taking Purposeful Action. Prior to launching her coaching business, she ran her marketing consultancy working with startups and VC firms, and served as a startup executive at several Boston-based startups.