Sital Ruparelia

Here is a question I recently responded to on the ”Answers” section of the efinancialcareers.com website. It may be a useful read if you are feeling ’pigeon holed’ in a particular job or career:

The Question:

“I have 5 years experience as a Relationship Manager (RM) in Corporate and Private Banking – but the role is not for me and I don’t enjoy it at all.

I am trying to move into other fields but there is not one bit of interest from employers despite having an MBA. I only get offers as an RM.

It’s been 6months of searching, am I pigeon holed?”

My Answer:

‘”Relationship Manager’ is a just title.

Focus instead on what you delivered in those 5 years and the portable skills you picked up.

Did you deliver new clients, increase assets under management and increase fees?
Have you developed relationship management, questioning, listening, sales and service skills?

If the answer is yes – well those skills and results are still in demand – you just need to get better at marketing them.

So create an achievements driven CV (resume) and then shift your job search campaign away from recruiters / headhunters and focus instead on your network.

Recruiters are running a commercial business. In the current climate they will (quite rightly) focus on vacancies and candidates that are “closest to the fee.” So you will never be their top priority – unless you want another RM role.

So target your contacts who can help influence colleagues and contacts to meet you informally in different areas based on their recommendation. With the internal search, approach it in the same way by networking and relationship building with other department heads instead of just applying through HR – who are likely to just pigeon hole you as an ‘Relationship Manager’

Good luck!

Sital Ruparelia, 6 Figure Career Management”

So if you are feeling ‘pigeon holed’ in a career or job and want to make a shift, follow the 4 steps reffered to above:-

1. Get really clear about the value you bring to a firm, not your job title
2. Focus on your portable / transferable skills
3. Get better at marketing yourself
4. Let your contacts and network help you find your next role