Your Career Questions Answered - October Community Q&A

You asked, I'm answering (October career Q&A) 💬

Hello from your favourite work bestie!

As we approach the end of the month, I thought to do something special for my lovely community.

A complete Q&A session where I answer the 6 most common (and most interesting) questions I get asked.

I promise you, it’s not going to be that generic stuff everyone says.

Just practical answers to the questions keeping you up at night.

Let’s dive in.

Question 1: “I want to switch industries, but I have zero experience. How do I even start?”

Okay, this is probably THE most common question I get. And I get why switching industries feels conflicting.

Here’s the truth: You don’t need permission to switch industries. You need a bridge.

Here’s your game plan:

Step 1: Find the transferable skills.

List everything you do in your current role. I bet at least 60% of those skills work in your target industry.

You’re in marketing? Guess what tech startups desperately need?

Marketers who understand customer psychology, can write compelling copy, and know how to run campaigns on a budget.

Your transferable skills:

• Customer research.

• Campaign management.

• Data analysis.

• Content creation.

• Budget management.

See? You’re not starting from zero.

Step 2: Learn the language
Every industry has its own jargon. Spend 2 weeks consuming content from your target industry:

• Follow 10 people in that space on Lucres.

• Read industry blogs.

• Watch YouTube videos.

• Join relevant Slack/Discord communities.

Your goal? To speak their language in interviews.

Step 3: Create proof
Do a small project in your target industry. Free if needed.

For tech startups, maybe:

• Offer to audit a startup’s marketing strategy (post it as a case study).

• Write a blog post analyzing successful tech company campaigns.

• Create a mock campaign for a product you love.

Now you have PROOF you can do the work.

Step 4: Update your Lucres headline
Change it from “Marketing Professional” to something like:
“Marketing Professional | Helping Tech Startups Grow | Transitioning to SaaS”

That last part (”Transitioning to SaaS”) is key. It tells recruiters you’re serious and gives them context.

Things won’t happen overnight. Give yourself 3-6 months. But it WILL happen if you’re consistent.

Question 2: “How do I negotiate salary when I desperately need the job?”

This question!!!

You NEED the job. They know you need the job. And now you’re sitting there wondering if asking for more money will make them take the offer back.

Here’s what I want you to understand: Companies expect you to negotiate. If they’re making you an offer, they WANT to hire you. They’ve already decided you’re worth it.

Asking for fair compensation doesn’t make you greedy. It makes you professional.

Now, there’s a difference between:

• Negotiating from desperation (”Please give me anything!”).

• Negotiating from data (”Based on market rates, here’s what’s fair”).

You want the second one.

Here’s a script that works:

“Thank you so much for the offer! I’m really excited about this opportunity, and I think I can bring a lot of value to the team. I’ve conducted research on market rates for this role in [city] with my level of experience, and the range appears to be ₹X to ₹Y.

Would it be possible to discuss the compensation package? I’m particularly interested in [specific aspect of the job], and I believe I can [specific value you’ll bring].

Is there any flexibility in the salary or other aspects of the package like [benefits/joining bonus/work from home allowance]?”

This script gives them multiple ways to say yes (salary, bonus, benefits)

What if they say no? Ask about:

• Performance review timeline (can we revisit in 3 months?).

• Work from home allowance.

• Learning & development budget

• Flexible hours

• Extra leave days

Sometimes the salary is fixed, but other things aren’t.

Here’s my honest take: If you’re 3 months unemployed and this is your only offer, get the job. Negotiate respectfully, but if they won’t budge, take it.

Then spend your first 6 months working your way up. Build your case for a raise.

Meanwhile, keep your Lucres profile up to date. You’ll have more leverage next time.

Question 3: “Everyone says to ‘network’ but I hate small talk. How do I do this?”

This is so me.

I’m an introvert too, and traditional networking events make me want to hide away. All that forced conversation about the weather and “so what do you do?” that’s not me.

Effective networking has nothing to do with small talk. Let me reframe networking for you:

❌ Networking is NOT: Collecting business cards and pretending to care about strangers.

✅ Networking IS: Building genuine relationships with people who share your interests.

See the difference? Here’s how introverts can network (without the cringe):

Strategy 1: Instead of asking people for favors, GIVE first.

Example:

• See a job posting perfect for someone in your network? Tag them.

• Read an article that reminded you of someone? Send it to them with a note.

• Know two people who should meet? Introduce them.

This is networking. You’re building relationships through helpfulness.

Strategy 2: The Comment Approach (Perfect for Lucres)

Don’t DM people out of the blue. That’s weird.

Instead:

• Comment thoughtfully on their posts for 2-3 weeks.

• Add value to their content.

• Ask smart questions.

After they’ve seen your name a few times, THEN send a DM:

“Hey! I’ve really enjoyed your posts about [topic]. I’m working on something similar and would love to hear your perspective on [specific question]. Do you have 15 minutes for a virtual coffee chat?”

Strategy 3: Join online communities (Slack, Discord, Reddit) around topics you actually care about. Participate authentically. Answer questions. Share what you’re learning. Networking happens naturally when you’re in the right rooms talking about things you genuinely care about.

You don’t need a huge network. You need a quality network. Focus on building real relationships with people you actually like and respect.

Question 4: “I keep getting rejected after the final rounds. What am I doing wrong?”

It’s usually NOT about your skills. They already know you can do the job. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in the final round.

It’s usually about one of these three things:

Reason #1: Culture Fit (and you might not even realize it)

In final rounds, they’re asking: “Do I want to work with this person every day?”

Signs this might be your issue:

• You’re focusing only on technical skills in interviews.

• You’re not asking them questions about culture/team.

• You’re too formal (not showing personality).

• OR you’re too casual (not taking it seriously enough).

The fix:
Research the company culture HARD before final rounds. Look at:

• Their social media (casual or corporate?).

• Employee reviews on Glassdoor.

• The energy in your previous interviews.

Then mirror that energy. If they’re casual, be casual. If they’re formal, be polished.

Reason #2: They Found Someone Internal (or already decided on someone else)

Reason #3: You’re not closing strong

Most candidates lose jobs in the last 5 minutes of an interview.

The mistake: When they ask, “Do you have any questions?” you say:

• “No, I think you covered everything!” (shows lack of interest)

• “What’s the salary?” (makes it only about money)

• “When will I hear back?” (passive)

Do This Instead;

“Yes, I have a few questions:

1. What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?
(Shows you’re thinking long-term)

2. What do you enjoy most about working here?
(Personal, makes them think positively)

3. Based on our conversation today, do you have any concerns about my fit for this role that I can address?
(BOLD move, but it lets you handle objections before they become rejection reasons)

4. What are the next steps, and is there anything else you need from me to move forward?
(Proactive, not passive)

After your next final round interview, send a follow-up email within 24 hours:

“Thank you for your time today. I’m even more excited about this opportunity after our conversation. I’m confident I can [specific value based on what they said they need]. Looking forward to the next steps.”

Short. Enthusiastic. Confident.

You got this.

For More Info: 30 Greatest Mistakes Made In Job Interviews.
50 AI Questions To Help You Ace Your Interview in 2025 (With Expert Tips and Sample Answers)
Job Interviews: How to Prepare, Answer Questions, and Impress Employers in 2025

Question 5: “How do I build a network when I’m a fresher with no connections?”

You might not have industry connections yet, but you have access to everyone who does.

Here’s how you build a network from scratch:

Week 1:

• Optimize your Lucres profile (we covered this here!)

• Professional photo.

• Compelling headline.

• Solid About Me section.

• Complete resume.

Week 2:

• Follow 50 people in your target industry.

• 20 people doing the job you want.

• 20 people, one level above that (managers, seniors).

• 10 thought leaders/influencers in the space.

Week 3: Start engaging.

• Comment on 3-5 posts daily (thoughtful comments, not just “Great post!”).

• Share interesting articles with your take.

• Repost relevant jobs with context.

Week 4:

• Introduce yourself (strategically).

• Pick 5 people you’ve been engaging with and send them a DM:

“Hi [Name]! I’ve really enjoyed your content about [specific topic]. I’m a recent graduate trying to break into [field], and your perspective on [specific thing] really helped me understand [insight].

I’m not asking for a job or anything; I’d just love to hear any advice you might have for someone starting out. Would you be open to a 15-minute virtual coffee chat? No worries if you’re busy! Either way, thanks for sharing your knowledge.”

Month 2-3:

• Attend virtual events in your industry (post about what you learned).

• Join relevant online communities (Slack, Discord, Reddit).

• Create content (write about what you’re learning).

• Offer value (free work, case studies, help others with questions)

In 6 months, you’ll have built more meaningful connections than people who’ve been in the industry for years but never engaged.

Your advantage as a fresher? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Use that energy.

That’s all for today.

Question for the week: What’s YOUR Biggest Career Challenge Right Now?

Some questions I’m hoping to get:

• Dealing with toxic bosses

• Switching from service-based to product companies

• Handling gap years on resumes

• Starting a side hustle while employed

• Dealing with imposter syndrome

• Asking for a raise (and actually getting it)

• Transitioning from technical to management roles

But honestly? The best questions are the ones I haven’t thought of yet. So surprise me.

I read every single email. And if your question is good (and trust me, most are), I’ll answer it in next month’s Q&A.

Before You Go...

If this Q&A helped you (or if you just enjoyed reading it), do me two favors:

1. Hit reply and tell me which answer resonated most with you.
I love hearing from you. Seriously. These conversations make my day.

2. Forward this to ONE person who needs to read it.
Someone in your network is struggling with one of these questions right now. Be the friend who shares useful stuff, not just memes.

We’re growing this community one person at a time. And I’m grateful you’re here.

P.P.S. Got a career question? Reply with it. I might answer it in November’s Q&A.