Our Experts | Alex Hettinger
There comes a point in everyone’s career when they will move into a new position. Whether the position is with a new company, or just a promotion with your current employer, it’s inevitable– and it’s also a good thing. Recently, I was approached by my managers to take on a new role with more responsibilities – a role that no one else has fully made the switch to.
Transitioning into a new role can be nerve-wracking and stressful, but it also means you have progressed in your career and may have outgrown your old position. Your bosses have recognized your potential and see room for growth in your career.
If you’ve decided to make the leap, you’re in for what’s sure to be a challenging and rewarding experience. Here are my tips for transitioning into a new role:
- Find a mentor. Hopefully there is someone else who has been in this role or does something similar that can help you. Get advice from others who have done anything that could help you in your new role – learn from their successes and especially their failures. Take a little bit from everyone and learn the business.
- Start your transition slowly and make realistic goals. I began by talking with my mentor, going through hypotheticals, then shadowing him and listening to his phone calls before I finally jumped on the phone myself. Next were in-person meetings, and even the first few were with my mentor and I only listened.
- Accept the fact that you will fail… often. My mentor taught me something very wise – you’ll go through an overwhelming amount of no’s before you get a yes. It’s tough to feel so defeated initially, but you learn from each experience what went right and what went wrong. Accept the failures and celebrate your successes, no matter how small.
- Sell your service, and be confident in what you sell. If you don’t believe it, no one will. Remain confident and turn to your mentor when you begin feeling deflated.
- Make a training manual for the next person who comes into the role. I wish there had been one for me when I started, but there is something in the works now that will immensely help someone else in the future, and in turn, help our business.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and dive headfirst into your new role. In the end, it is going to improve your life professionally and personally. After this, role changes in the future will become easier, and you’ll be thankful that you took on the challenge.
