Here's how you can successfully navigate the job market in Enterprise Software as a mid-career professional.

By mid-career, you should presumably have a decent network (and if you don't, shame on you). Start with people you know, ask them for recommendations. If you've been good at what you do, then hopefully you also have people who will vouch for you. Every single job I've gotten in the last thirty years has been through connections. The other big suggestion I have is KEEP LEARNING. A few years ago, the father of a friend of my daughter's asked for help finding a new gig after a layoff, and he'd been working with ancient technology, without having taken a class, online or otherwise, since college. I knew no one hiring anyone with his antiquated skillset. Especially in high tech, there's no excuse for not keeping up.

Here's how you can successfully navigate the job market in Enterprise Software as a mid-career professional: Update your skills with the latest technologies, network actively within the industry, tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience, seek mentorship, and consider further certifications. Leveraging your experience and staying adaptable will enhance your job prospects.

In my opinion, individuals in their mid-career phase are most susceptible to the Dunning-Kruger effect (remember, Google is your friend :)), which can affect them from both angles: some may be extremely skilled in a particular area but fear they lack experience and may not be able to stand out, while others may have had easy, prior engagements and feel entitled to authority on the subject. In both situations, they will not advance to the next stage. Avoid being duped and consistently demonstrate your expertise in your primary subject, or even better, set aside time to expand your knowledge in related fields.

Often the higher up you go, the further away you are from doing the day-to-day tactical execution. However, recognizing this is the first step towards making a plan to overcome this tendency. Next, pick your battles and use your time wisely. e.g., Since ChatGPT was released in Nov '22, everyone should experiment with generative AI, whether you choose ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, or others. This is an example of recognizing the emergence of a new tech that is not a fad, and it won't go away soon. There's no excuse to not upskill yourself by becoming generative AI-aware.

Absolutely, building a strong professional network is essential. From my experience, each person you meet is an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Attending conferences, webinars, and joining professional groups has not only expanded my knowledge but also opened doors I never expected. Every interaction is a chance to learn something new, and connecting with others can lead to invaluable insights and opportunities. Remember, everyone you meet can teach you something, and the relationships you build today can shape your future success. And, the person you are able to help today may be just the person you need help from down the road. Let's continue to grow and learn together!

There are a million communities and Slack channels to join. However, we all only have 24 hours a day. Network smartly means being selective and intentional. When you find a network that resonates with you, be a good member, be helpful to others, and be generous with your time. This will go a long way to building lasting and fruitful relationships.

Successfully navigating the enterprise software job market as a mid-career professional requires a combination of technical skills, soft skills, strategic networking, and continuous upskilling. It is important to enhance your experience (companies look for professionals with experience who can bring added value): - Update your CV and create a portfolio that highlights your successful projects, skills acquired and results achieved. - Get reference letters from former employers or colleagues who can attest to your skills and contributions. In these ways, you will be able to successfully navigate the enterprise software job market and advance your professional career.

Understanding your personal brand is essential. It’s not just about updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, but about clearly showcasing your most significant accomplishments and how they align with the needs of the enterprise software market. This clarity helps you stand out and attract the right opportunities. @Jennifer Anderson, whom I've worked with and highly recommend, excels in guiding professionals to recognize, create, and live their brand. Her insights have helped many craft compelling narratives that highlight their unique strengths and experiences.

As you move into mid-career, building a strong professional network is essential. If you haven’t yet, now’s the time to start! Contact colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts for recommendations and insights. The relationships and reputation you’ve built over the years can significantly impact your job search and career growth. Honestly, every job opportunity I’ve had in the past thirty years came through connections, showing just how powerful networking can be. Use your connections for job leads and introductions. Ask for endorsements from people who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Your network is your net worth!

Don't forget about the experience you already have. Refresh your CV regularly, challenge yourself when journaling to recall learning. Don't ignore those softer skills which will help you bring it all together.

I recently came across a B2B ecommerce client that built a $30M/year business 100% based on PPC for the first 5 years. However, due to the law of shitty click through rate (a term coined by the author of the book Traction) and a # of economic factors, PPC alone can no longer scale their growth. I was able to leverage my enterprise marketing experience by helping them clean, segment, and tag their customers in the HubSpot CRM. This is the necessary foundational work that will help them transition away from being 100% dependent on inbound and to embrace outbound.

I think the key really, in all enterprise software, is to stress the importance of relevancy. That anything implemented does not work unless the processes are adapted and that all relevant data exists and generated data is utilized. Too often things are done due reasons of the software not tangible value.

Get organised collect your own source of reference material, hyperlink to the numerous pdf you will acquire. There are some great note apps out there to help maintain and catalogue that data.

Beware of projects replacing home grown enterprise software with vended enterprise software. Internal stakeholders may drive an external product to look and feel like the home grown solution. Believe me this only ends with the home grown solution...have the courage to move the enterprise to the vended solution.