I want to switch industries but have no contacts. What do I do?

Or you could stay in the civil service “but look for a transfer or secondment to the environment area”.

As for finding an “interesting” job, Trevor-Roberts recommends looking beyond the public jobs boards, as “job descriptions and advertisements are rarely a good representation of what you will actually do”.

“The best insight,” he says, “comes from those currently doing the work”. Which means you need to meet and talk to lots of new people.

Start by identifying who to contact. Trevor-Roberts recommends drawing a mind map, by putting potential employers into bubbles based on their key focus (sustainability, clean energy, policy etc) or organisational category (non-governmental organisation, large corporate, consultancy).

Getting this information down on a page will make your networking more focused, he says, as it will make it easier for you to identify any patterns or interconnections, as well as any possibilities that excite you.

For example, you might realise that all the jobs you’re interested in are with mining companies, which will encourage you to ask, “Who do I know in that sector who can give me more information, or introduce me to someone?”

The next step is to reach out to people – not to ask for a job directly, but to build contacts and learn more about your future industry.

It helps if a mutual contact can make an introduction. But don’t be afraid to send a cold email or message, either. Direct messages out of the blue can often get you a meeting – and in most cases the worst outcome is that you will be ignored, which is no big deal.

Trevor-Roberts says the message doesn’t need to say much. It could be something like, “Hi [person’s name], you’ve been referred to me by John. I am interested in understanding more about the environmental industry, having recently completed my degree [in environmental studies]. Would you have 30 minutes to share your insight into the industry? I can also give you some ideas and perspectives from my work in the civil service.”

Trevor-Roberts says these conversations are a two-way street. “You’ve got to [work out] what you have to give, and not just what you’re going to get.” A recent graduate, for example, could offer their coffee dates valuable insights into what students these days are being taught at university.

As for what to ask in the meeting, Trevor-Roberts recommends starting with: “So, [person’s name], how did you get into [their industry]?”

You might be able to copy their career trajectory, or at least learn from it, and you’ll likely to build some rapport in the process as “most of us love talking about ourselves”.

Specific questions like, “what advice would you give to somebody who wants to crack into the environmental industry?” and “what do you believe are the major trends in the industry that might help me focus my development and my networking?” will help, too.

And make sure you finish with, “is there anybody else you think I should talk to?” Trevor-Roberts says that’s how you accelerate the networking process. And you could ask your coffee date for an introduction, too.

“Most people know they need to network more but don’t,” Trevor-Roberts adds. “So, when someone approaches them, they are usually happy to meet.”

Got a work-related problem you need help with? Please email euan.black@afr.com under the subject name “Work Wisdom”. Work & Careers will get an expert to answer your question and keep your name and details anonymous.

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