How To Break Into A “Specialty” Industry

Some industries run to the beat of their own drummer, and just aren’t quite like any other out there. They require (or employers believe they require) a certain prior experience, education, or expertise to succeed in a career with them. examples of specialty industries are entertainment, hospitality, luxury goods, fashion, art, jewelry, watches, music instruments, motorcycles, fine cigars, wine, craft beer, spirits, and many others that often fall into the “lifestyle” category.

The passion of the professionals who work in specialty industries drives an expanding list of endeavors that can go on for ten more pages. It’s not about the size of the company, or whether it’s on the NYSE, specialty industries revolve around a product people love to make (i.e., surfboards) and people love to buy (e.g., surfboards).    

Elements common to specialty industries are:

·      Unique culture and rules.

·      Specialized industry knowledge.

·      Complexity to “break in” to the industry.

The wine industry is a great example of a specialty industry that’s many interlinking specialty industries. A three-tier supply chain and licensing framework created in the aftermath of Prohibition complete the wine labyrinth. Each tier is a specialty.

·      Growing the grapes is farming.

·      Making the wine is chemistry.

·      Sales, marketing, bottling, packaging, transportation, custom wine cellars, sommeliers, wine bars, wine tourism, wine publications, little bottles of wine on the airplane, and the ancillary specialties keep going.

·      Knowing what’s in the bottle requires advanced knowledge of grapes, geography, winemaking, winemakers, producers, the rich history of wine, food, language, and cultures of countries across the world.

If you want to be a specialist, here are some factors to consider:

1.     Higher education can matter. Many prestigious colleges and universities have schools, programs, majors, or classes in specialty initiatives from hospitality to graphic design. There are also schools, such as the Sotheby’s Institute, that specialize in their specialty – in this case, the vast and diverse art and auction world. Students often have greater access to career-shaping internships, and a degree in a specialty industry may help you leap into your chosen field.

2.     Specialized education can matters. Professional certifications are now widely seen as preferred or required training for an array of specialized industries. Whatever your field, chances are certifications increase your professional knowledge and standing. Many job postings include professional certifications in their descriptions, which means they are most likely keywords in the automatic tracking systems that sort resumes. Project management experience is great, but a project manager with experience and a Project Management Professional certification is better.

3.     Internships – There is no better way to get real-life exposure and experience than an internship. Upside: potentially life-altering experience. Downside: the pay is low or non-existent. You must have the time and resources. However, if your passion is art history, for example, an internship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, or The Getty Center in Los Angeles, is worth the time and effort.

4.     Entry-level. Entry-level means you have no experience, and your compensation commiserates with your experience. Find out how people get started in your industry.  The phrase “start at the bottom” is just as true people for those in the infancy of their professional life as it is for seasoned professionals who decide to switch careers or have been on the sidelines. You have to start somewhere, which is most probably the bottom. Specialty industries love to label almost every job as entry-level as well as require experience they know you don’t have. Navigating professional Catch-22s of this sort can be a blood sport, so do your homework.

5.     Work. There is a lot of attrition in specialty industries. To work your way up you must do the work. You must prove you are investment-worthy. You should always be learning. Learn your business. Learn what’s important. Be a sponge that absorbs best practices and wrings out failing strategies.

6.     Build and nurture your network. A professional network is a gift that keeps giving. If you keep up with colleagues and other professionals you meet during the course of work, they will help you. They will agree to be a reference or email you when they hear of a job opening. You will do the same for someone who makes the effort to nurture their professional connection with you. Use professional networking sites like LinkedIn.

Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.