Lots of industries need safety professionals. When one industry slows down (high tech, for example) another is apt to pick up (oil and gas production comes to mind). And that creates all kinds of opportunities for movement. At some point in your career, you might contemplate making the move to a different industry.

The good news is that safety is an expertise that can be applied in a number of industries. The bad news is that industry jumping can be a tough for men and women of any profession. In a recent ExecuNet survey, companies told us that one of the first qualifications they consider in filling positions is, you guessed it, "industry experience."

Top 10 Tips

So just what does an enterprising safety manager have to do to succeed in changing jobs, changing industries and learning a new job? I can't think of anybody better to ask than Robert Eckert. Eckert became the CEO of Mattel - the world's largest toy maker - after quitting his job at Kraft Foods. He joined Mattel, turned the company around and came up smelling like a rose - all in 18 months (though the company has since faced challenges).

Here are Eckert's Top 10 Tips for industry jumping:

1. Call on Customers

Without being overly direct, you can learn how the industry (and the specific company with which you're seeking employment) is viewed.

2. Watch for Consumers

Spending time in stores can pay huge dividends if you're seeking a job with manufacturers or retailers of consumer goods.

3. Find Retirees

Alumni know more about the industry and the company's culture than anyone else.

4. Read Everything

The Internet makes it easy to find obscure books and articles about the industry and specific companies.

5. Talk to a Mentor

Your mentor doesn't necessarily have to come from or even know much about the industry you're seeking to catch on with. What's important is that the mentor knows you and your abilities and can offer an objective opinion about your capacity to adapt.

6. Call a Friend

Eckert says that getting feedback from friends has contributed greatly to the successes he's achieved.

7. Keep Notes from Every Conversation

Insights aren't always apparent when they're first uttered. It's only after you've had time to reflect that the pieces of the puzzle come together. But you're unlikely to remember everything a source tells you. So you need to take notes to give yourself the opportunity for later reflection.

8. Before Taking the Job, Write Down Your Goals for the First 100 Days

More than 20% of top company leaders fail to complete their first year on the job. Why? Experts often point to lack of preparation to face the crucial first 100 days.

9. Follow your Heart

You can painstakingly write down the pros and cons of the new position but let your gut feeling be your final guide.

10. Commit Fully

Once you decide to make the move, always look forward instead of being distracted by the "could haves, would haves, should haves" of the old job.

Conclusion

And, of course, I would add: Network, Network and Network. Build a support system in the new industry that you can turn to while landing the new position and immediately once you are on the job.

Wishing you career success,
Lauryn Franzoni
ExecuNet, www.execunet.com

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Eighth Anniversary of the Columbine Massacre

April 20, 1999

By Catherine Jones

Adolf Hitler was born on this date in 1889. Eight years ago, to "celebrate" the occasion, two teenage students from Littleton, CO - Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold - showed up at school armed with bombs, sawed-off shotguns and semi-automatic weapons. At 11:20 AM, they opened fire on their classmates. By noon, 12 students and one teacher were dead, and 24 others were wounded. The Columbine High massacre was one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.

Sickeningly, Monday's tragic events at Virginia Tech University serve as a reminder that Columbine was not an isolated tragedy. Violence in our schools on a dimension not previously imaginable remains a major problem for society.

Shootings of innocent people are always horrifying. But events like Columbine and Virginia Tech, which involve our children, are especially hard to take. It's hard to focus on what lessons, if any, were learned from Columbine. But some were. The immediate aftermath was beefed up security at schools across the continent. On a deeper and more meaningful level, educators, parents and even students gained a new awareness of the dangers of bullying and the importance of communication. Sadly, however, much still remains to be done.

Editor's Note: Catherine, who is in Toronto attending the Industrial Accident Prevention Association conference, prepared this story on Monday when details of the Virginia Tech massacre were unclear.

CORRECTION
Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen

Your piece on FRIDAY THE 13th IN HISTORY in last week's issue contained an error. On the list of persons born on Friday the 13th, you had: "Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen: Former Australian Prime Minister, Jan. 13, 1911".

Sir Joe and myself lived in the same town in Queensland, Kingaroy. He was the State Premier of Queensland for many years. He was never the Australian Prime Minster.

Regards Brian Battle

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