There are very few credit professionals who can get through their careers without going through at least one significant change in employment. Quite often, these changes involve changes in employers--moving from one company to another. In other cases, they involve getting new bosses within your existing department. In still other cases, you may find yourself moving from one department to another in the same company. Regardless of which type or types of change you experience, two things will always be true:

1. Your boss will change, and
2. Your responsibilities will change.

1. Realize that goals can be modified when you move from one department to another. "When I was in operations, my primary focus in credit was to emphasize the importance of customer service," he says. In finance, his responsibility is to continue to emphasize customer service, but also to focus on improving cash flow. "Customer service and cash flow were and are important in both departments. It's just that we've added an emphasis on cash flow, while maintaining a commitment to customer service."

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2. Learn to anticipate the needs of your new boss. "It's important to take his or her lead and learn to understand your new boss's style," he suggests. One boss, for example, may prefer to communicate via formal, scheduled meetings. Another may be comfortable with an "open door" policy where communication can take place any time.

3. Look for opportunities. Quinn recalls a comment he heard from a coworker several years ago in another company: "Look for the void. Then fill it." "Every organization has voids," he explains. "The best way to make the most of a transition is to identify the new voids that you find when you make the transition. Then, make yourself useful and try to fill those voids," he explains.
   Quinn, for example, has a strong background in financial analysis. As a result, he expects to be able to assist the company in his new position by participating in agency financial evaluations, something he didn't have the opportunity to do when he was in the operations department.

4. Look for the benefits. Along the same lines as looking for opportunities, look for the benefits a transition can offer. "Since moving to the finance department, for example, I've been fortunate enough to be put on the cash management team," reports Quinn. The time he spends on this team, as well as during the agency evaluations, will equip him with additional experience, skills, and knowledge that he might not have otherwise acquired.

5. Bring your employees along with you. While it can be personally difficult for you to make a transition, don't forget that it can be just as challenging for your employees. "I've spent time with them, asking them how they view the transition, and asking them for ideas on how to make it go more smoothly," he says. "By seeking their input, rather than telling them how we were going to make the changes, I was able to get their buy-in." Quinn also emphasized to his people that they, too, might be able to benefit from new opportunities.