Name
Hannah Grant
Old Position
Financial Sector
New Career
Learning and Development Partner for Skills Development Scotland
Can you tell us about your current role?
I’m a learning and development partner for Skills Development Scotland
Where did your career path begin?
My degree was German and History which was totally useless for getting a job! I started off in the publishing/retail sector in marketing and communications – spent my days on the phone organising publicity campaigns and book launches which I really loved. From there, I had another couple of marketing comms roles before I moved into marketing capability at BT and then to Aviva. Both of these jobs were about developing others and improving ways of working and I really enjoyed seeing the direct impact of my efforts in an organisation. That’s how I eventually made the move across into the learning and OD world.
What made you decide to move in a different direction?
After a few years in the financial sector and commuting to Edinburgh from Glasgow, I needed a change. It was the commute that was the main issue, it was much harder than I thought it would be and really got in the way of after-work plans. And I’m also at a point now where I want to do something that was more purpose-led.
How did you go about it?
It was a process of reflection – thinking back over what I really enjoyed, where I’d been at my best, and what I wanted to do more of/less of. I came to the conclusion I wanted to do a role where I could develop others, improve ways of working and make a difference, and where I was part of a smaller organisation, I was feeling a bit like a spare part in a large organisation. I also thought about my current context. I’m based in Glasgow so knowing I didn’t want to commute to Edinburgh everyday made me focus more on locally-based opportunities. I mentioned above I had also started to think about what would enable me to feel I was doing something more purposeful so I was exploring more of the non profit, charitable, public sector opportunities.
How hard did you find to move into such a different role?
The role I do now is a change project about how we can use and develop skills, so although the sector and the type of organisation is very different, I am still using many of the skills and experience I’ve used before.
The main difference I’m finding is with how we get things done. Where I was before was corporate and there was a lot of appetite and budget to test new things and move at pace. Where I am now is a non-departmental government body and so more tied to political processes and policy changes, and these take time, so you have to shift your lens to this context. It is an adjustment, but there are things I’m doing now which I’m also really enjoying – for example, I judged the everyday leadership awards and I loved that the entries all focused on the social rather than the commercial impact.
What led to you getting your current role?
It was via my network. An old colleague of mine had been contacted by a recruiter here and she’d suggested to me it would be worth a look. It was around that time that I discovered I might be at risk of redundancy so that gave me the nudge I needed to apply. Although I didn’t have experience in the sector, I did my homework for the interview process and I was able to demonstrate the transferable skills I could bring, and thankfully it all worked out.
What transferable skills did you find that you had?
I’d say there are three main skills I have which transfer to what I’m doing now:
- Relationship building: asking questions, being curious, listening, and building up trust that I can get things done in a way that reflects what people care about.
- Leading projects: I’m able to turn a concept into practical reality – when I look back over my career, this is where I’ve tended to be at my best, and this new role needs lots of this drive.
- People development and change skills: The skills I have in learning and organisational development translate across all sectors: knowing how to engage, how others learn, and how to work within complex systems – these are all skills I use now.
Were you nervous about making your career changes?
I was hesitant rather than nervous, but in the end I was pushed into it: one day I heard I’d got the role, the next I heard I was at risk of redundancy so I didn’t really have anything to lose. I think over time, knowing I’ve worked in different sectors and always been able to adjust and change means I know can adapt. Life gives you no choice on that one!
Did you get any support or advice?
I did go through the programme with Brave Starts and found it really useful and inspiring meeting with others who were thinking about their next career steps. Doing something llike Brave Starts also forces you to take action rather than procrastinating, and I need that structure. I also hired a career coach and did 3 sessions with her to do things like a mock interview, go through my CV and my preparation. I think having someone to hold you to account is useful. Old colleagues were also really helpful, I am fortunate to have people I can trust to tell me the truth about my story and where it may be a bit weak!
What would you say to other people who are thinking of making a change?
- Know the kind of environment that gives you energy and that you enjoy
- Be curious and open-minded – sometimes things which aren’t the dream might surprise you
- Try to talk to the job holder not the person who wants you to take the job! You want to get an accurate idea of what the work involves. That can be hard to do from the outside but it is definitely worth doing your homework.
- Be pragmatic. If you have bills to pay it doesn’t matter about following the dream. One of the things I loved about Brave Starts was the idea passion can get you stuck waiting for the dream role that may never arrive. Sometimes you have to do a role because you need to bring in the money and there is no shame in that.
