Building a career when you don't know what you want? | Thái Vân Linh x Manisha Shah - CFO, MOMO

TL;DR

Key insights

Career paths are rarely linear and often unfold through exploration and skill development.

• Manisha Shah's career, despite its impressive trajectory, was not planned from the outset.
• Focusing on excelling in current roles and developing transferable skills is key to unlocking future opportunities.
• Early career choices, like investment banking, can be strategic for gaining experience and exposure, even without a definitive long-term plan.

Hiring decisions increasingly value transferable skills and potential over exact experience.

• Companies like MOMO look for candidates who can think critically and have demonstrated success in various roles, not just those with a perfect background match.
• Skills such as data analysis, communication, and project management are highly valued and can be applied across different industries and functions.
• Candidates should tailor their resumes to highlight relevant skill sets for the desired role, rather than solely focusing on past achievements.

Personal life decisions, like relocation for a partner's career, require mutual support and open communication.

• The decision to move to Vietnam was a joint one, with both partners open to international experience and financially prepared for potential career pauses.
• Manisha found it challenging to adjust to not working, highlighting the importance of personal identity tied to career for some individuals.
• Maintaining a relationship requires finding a unique communication style, active listening, and mutual respect for each other's careers and aspirations.

Navigating career changes or new roles benefits from a structured approach.

• When changing careers, it's advisable to change only one variable at a time (industry, location, or function) to reduce complexity.
• For significant role changes, clearly articulate the skill sets required for the new job and demonstrate how past experiences align with those skills.
• Focusing on how one can add value and help their boss or company, especially early in a career, can foster support for future opportunities.

Key moments

• 00:00:06Introduction of Manisha Shah, CFO of MOMO, and her background as an Indian American with extensive international finance experience.
• 00:02:06Manisha discusses her move to Vietnam and joining MOMO, highlighting the startup's mission and rapid growth.
• 00:03:11Linh questions the perception of Manisha's 'perfect' career, asking if she always knew what she wanted.
• 00:03:41Manisha reveals she didn't have a clear roadmap, focusing instead on securing a scholarship for liberal arts education in America.
• 00:04:43Her choice of investment banking was strategic for international exposure, salary, and learning from smart colleagues.
• 00:05:15Manisha emphasizes that continuous learning and skill development in each role are more crucial than having a fixed plan.
• 00:06:30She explains that MOMO values transferable skills and potential over exact experience when hiring.
• 00:07:09Manisha addresses the insecurity of not having a roadmap, reassuring that many successful people also navigate without one.
• 00:08:09Tips for career changers: focus on transferable skills, tailor resumes, and consider the impact on the company/boss.
• 00:09:14Advice for career transitions: change one variable (industry, location, function) at a time and focus on relevant skill sets.
• 00:10:28Highlighting key transferable skills like data analysis, communication, and project management.
• 00:11:38Discussion on the decision to move to Vietnam for her husband's career, balancing personal and professional priorities.
• 00:13:22Manisha shares the challenges of adjusting to life in Vietnam and the initial difficulty of not working.
• 00:15:02The importance of being on the same page financially and emotionally with a partner when making major life decisions.
• 00:16:02Tips for maintaining a relationship: find a unique communication style, listen actively, and choose a partner who respects your career.
• 00:18:20Final thoughts on the importance of listening and understanding a partner's perspective in relationships.