How I Landed A Job Managing A Team Of 30 People In A Logistics Role With No Previous Experience In My 30s

Sean Selby

06 Nov 2024 — 1 min read

Photo by Pat Whelen / Unsplash

Against all odds, I transitioned into a leadership role in logistics, a field I knew nothing about, in my 30s.

My strong work ethic helped.
My qualifications gave me an edge.
My references made a big difference.

I'm proof that you can start a new role with no experience.

Work ethic counts

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to leap into a management position without any background in the field?

Self-Growth requires a strong work ethic. This work ethic shows up in everything you do. When I interviewed for my new role, my future employer saw I was motivated, committed, and open to challenging myself in a new learning environment.

My Self-Growth showed up in my work ethic and how I approached my goals.

Qualifications help

Can a person truly reinvent their career path in their 30s, starting from scratch in an unfamiliar discipline?

I got the job when I was halfway through a business degree.
What gave me the edge?
I was majoring in management.

Even though I hadn't finished the degree, I demonstrated my current knowledge, and my potential to grow into the role.

References matter

Most people believe you need years of industry-specific experience to manage a large team, but they're wrong.

I had previously managed a small team of 4-5 people. My boss then suggested I set my sights on a bigger role with more responsibility. He also personally vouched for me as a referee for my new job.

Having a strong reference was key, and gave my new employer confidence I could step up to the new role.

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