Expert Advice for Senior Leaders Considering an Industry Change

Hiring senior leaders based on core competencies and attributes, rather than rigid industry-specific experience, is gaining traction. Companies are increasingly recognizing the benefits of cross-industry expertise and the value of leaders who thrive amid uncertainty. In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to pivot and leverage diverse perspectives is crucial for success. Here are insights and tips for senior leaders considering an industry change from executives who’ve done it successfully multiple times and benefited from this approach.

Theresa Rynard, Abe Salloum, and Herve Mazenod, seasoned executives with years of leadership and extensive cross-industry experience, share expert advice to help senior leaders consider an industry change.

Theresa Rynard, a seasoned executive with extensive cross-industry experience, believes switching industries has broadened her skill set and provided unique insights that fueled significant organizational growth. Her advice for leaders looking to enhance their skills through industry change is:

“For those looking to improve their skills, the first advice is to understand that new industries can expand your abilities. Realize that you won’t broaden your experience or skill set by doing the same thing repeatedly. Becoming an expert makes you very narrow, though deep. If you want more opportunities and experiences, you must drive that yourself.

“A great way to do this is by exploring other industries, geographies, or even different departments within the same company. Reflect on what you’re good at, your transferable skills, where you’ve fallen short, and where you’ve excelled. Identify your superpowers and focus on them. Think about how and where you could apply these skills elsewhere, and pursue those opportunities. This preparation helps you answer those tricky questions from hiring leaders about situations you haven’t faced before.”

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The next expert advice comes from Abe Salloum, most recently an Executive Vice President and COO at Tecomet. Abe has a career spanning automotive, oil and gas, and, since 2017, the medical device industry. Each transition has enriched his expertise and broadened his understanding of complex business environments. His advice for those considering a move outside their immediate industry expertise is:

“Earlier in my career, I was deeply rooted in automotive, having spent 24 years there. Initially, I didn’t realize how transferable my skills were. When I shifted to oil and gas, I just dove in and discovered a lot of synergies. The skills and knowledge were surprisingly transferable. I’d suggest crafting your resume to be industry-neutral. Emphasize skills and competencies that apply broadly. Show your willingness and desire to learn and tackle challenges.

“If asked about your approach in a new industry, focus on the knowledge you bring. For example, discuss S&OP—Sales and Operating Planning—it’s relevant anywhere. Problem-solving is universal, whether for a lawnmower or an airbag manufacturing issue.

“Highlight your ability to develop teams, create consensus, and lead with humility. And most of all, highlight that you are comfortable with being uncomfortable. We live in a world full of uncertainty so agility and finding your feet quickly in ever-changing circumstances is a huge value-add. There are many similarities across industries. I believe recruiters and companies often miss this point, pushing for a perfect match to their criteria, which can limit opportunities for talented but unorthodox candidates.”

Read the full interview here

Herve Mazenod, with nearly 30 years of experience across the public sector, pharma, food manufacturing, FMCG, high-tech, outsourcing, and financial services, underscores the importance of cross-industry and capability-first hiring. He encourages leaders to consider sector changes to bring fresh perspectives and drive innovation:

“Assess whether your leadership skills are transferable—because they should be. Whether you’re strong at envisioning a future, projecting yourself, presenting ideas, communicating effectively, or coaching others, these are valuable in any organization. So, be confident that strong leadership abilities can apply across different industries.

“Secondly, be proactive in learning about other industries. Be curious and take the time to understand how your skills could be of benefit. Don’t just walk into an interview thinking, ‘I’ve done operations before, and you need operations, so it’s a match.’ Instead, approach it as if the organisation were your client. Learn about their specific needs and challenges, and focus on how you can contribute to their success. This approach not only demonstrates your interest but also positions you as someone who’s genuinely invested in helping them achieve their goals.”

Read the full interview here

If you are a senior leader considering your next career step, please submit your resume to get on Pacific International’s radar.

For a confidential chat about how Pacific International can assist you with your Talent Acquisitions and Diversity challenges, please contact David Howells or one of our Executive Search Consultants specialising in your sector.