How to reinvent yourself in a new industry
Covid-19 has led to unexpected growth for some industries but savaged others.
Those working in aviation, travel and tourism saw huge change swiftly with the future not yet certain.
Career and CV specialist Tom O’Neil said people in tourism and hospitality had strong transferable skills not to be underestimated.
“With strong skills in relationship management, customer service, administration, retail and sales, it is very easy for people in these industries to pivot into a new allied industry successfully,” O’Neil said. “Being genuinely good with people and having a high level of emotional intelligence is also a major aspect of supervisors and management.”
O’Neil said team leaders in tourism and hospitality industries could quickly rebrand and learn a new industry while they work.
That was the case for former Flight Centre travel agent David Sollis.
The 31-year-old had been working for the travel company for four years when Covid hit.
“When I finished at Flight Centre I was applying for 16-20 jobs each day and it was quite overwhelming,” Sollis said. “You start secondguessing your skills and there were a lot of jobs I didn’t think I had the skills for. I was getting to the point [where] I felt a bit helpless.”
Sollis was eventually offered a short-term role in customer service with insurance company AAI. “I had no experience with insurance and I had no idea what I was getting myself in for. I just thought if I had the opportunity, I could show them what I was capable of.”
Sollis excelled in the role and realised the communication skills that were so important in travel transferred perfectly to insurance.
“Customer service is being able to speak to lots of people from other backgrounds and it’s an underestimated skill,” Sollis said.
Many might not think their people skills are sought after “but they make a huge difference to businesses and not everyone has these skills”.
As well as communication skills, Sollis said, workers from travel and tourism were adaptable, quick thinkers who often had to problem solve. “There is also other stuff such as accounts, legal knowledge and logistics that are common in travel but also transfer to other industries.”
Sollis said the uncertainty in the travel and hospitality industry would eventually pass but he was happy with his more certain future.
“There is going to be a great future in travel again one day but for me
I am happy with this move and feel I have a lot to give this industry.
“I see myself trying to progress further in the insurance industry.”