You don’t need to start at entry level

A coaching client with 7 years of work experience at a medtech startup wanted to do a career switch. She wanted to move into consumer goods, so she did informational interviews.

The advice she got?

“Start at entry level and work your way up, so you can get your foot in the door.”

I was shocked. (And insulted on her behalf.)

Look, if you want to become an ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON… Then yes, you should start at entry level.

Any change less dramatic than that probably means you have SOME transferable skills.

Starting at entry level is the lowest common denominator

It’s what you do if all else fails. But it’s not where you should start because it anchors your value too low.

If you resign yourself to starting in an entry level role when you otherwise could have been hired at a higher level, that could translate to thousands of dollars less in compensation.

When you’re switching careers, you might get a lot of skepticism about how your previous experience applies to the role you’re applying to. Most hiring managers and recruiters are anchored on what you did at your most recent job.

Maybe you’re changing industries.

Maybe you’re changing functions.

The best practice is not to change both at the same time. But even if you are, you shouldn’t start at entry level.

If you’re in this situation, imagine me grabbing you by the shoulders and saying:

“Don’t anchor yourself at entry level. Your experience is valuable. Aim higher.”

Why people recommend others to start at entry level

We should file “start at entry level” in the bucket of advice that sounds reasonable but is actually horrible.

But why would an otherwise kind, good person give you this advice?

A few potential reasons:

(A) They started at entry level themselves. Most advice is autobiographical.

(B) They paid their dues, so they subconsciously want you to pay your dues.

(C) They didn’t start at entry level, but attribute their success to their own talent. If you skipped the slog, it would mean they aren’t as special as they thought.

(D) You might blame them if you fail. By recommending that you start at entry level, there’s nothing less ambitious than that. You’re already overqualified, so you’re more likely to get the role.

Don’t diminish your own experience

Seven years of experience is a lot. You are not the person you were seven years ago. You have battle scars, experience, and wisdom—all of which your new employer gets to benefit from.

Do not throw that out the door.

Do not write yourself off.

Do not accept a huge pay cut without considering if there are other options.

Unless you are fresh out of college with less than 2-3 years of experience, or switching to a career with technical skills that are completely different, you should apply for roles that acknowledge what you can contribute.

Before you accept entry level, show employers why your skill set is more relevant than they think

As I mentioned earlier, starting at entry level is the lowest common denominator. It’s what you do if all else fails.

What can you do before accepting an entry level role?

Connect the dots for the hiring manager. The hiring manager has a lot on their plate and doesn't want to think hard about any single candidate. If your skills don’t look obviously relevant, you’ll need to connect the dots for them. Make your previous experience look obviously relevant.

Frame your experience only through the lens of the new position/industry. You’re proud of your previous work, but you’ve moved on. Don’t get caught up in what you did before. Focus on the 20-30% of what you did that’s most relevant to your new role.

Act as if you’re already in your new role. Most people think, “I’m in retail trying to break into healthcare.” The secret is to convince yourself you’re already in healthcare. You might need to do some side projects, read up on your industry, and have recommendations ready for what you’d do if you were hired. That’s all doable. Act “as if,” then work backwards to get those proof points.

Create proof points and evidence of your experience in the new industry. Write 3-5 Medium articles about your analysis of the industry you want to break into. Do a small side project and put up a microsite. Host an event. Post your insights on social media. Start an interview series with folks in the industry. If your experience doesn’t look relevant on paper, these proof points help show you’re plugged in.