Explore a new specialist field through a temporary job change

How about exploring a new specialist field for a few months without having to give up your current job? A temporary job change allows you to enjoy this unique opportunity – an employee development instrument that’s highly popular at PostFinance. Around 25 times a year an employee swaps their own job for another role for three to 12 months. A compliance expert may temporarily spend a period working in the Corporate Responsibility unit, a market research specialist may switch to the social media team or back-office staff may take up a project management role. Piranidha Mylvaganam also opted for a temporary job change. She swapped her job as a business customer advisor for a role in content marketing at PostFinance for nine months.

Piranidha, why did you decide on a temporary job change?

I thought a lot about my future career during the pandemic and began a one-year training course as a marketing specialist. At the same time, I looked for internal and external jobs in marketing, an area I’ve been interested in for a long time. But it’s hard to gain a foothold in a new field without professional experience. When I found out about the temporary job change in content marketing on our intranet site, I said to myself: “Wow, that’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.” This is a great opportunity for me to gain experience in content marketing for a short time – but also allows me to return to my current job.

How exactly did you go about it? How did you apply?

I simply called the person responsible, briefly introduced myself and asked whether the position was still available. After this discussion, I sent over my CV and received provisional approval. I then spoke to my line manager in the business customer unit about the opportunity and she also gave me the go-ahead. So now I’m working in content marketing for nine months.

How was the initial stage of the temporary job change? What surprised you the most when you started out in content marketing?

Firstly, there’s the “programme” that was put together especially for me – I’ll carry out various content marketing tasks, but will also gain an insight into other areas of marketing. I can benefit tremendously from the opportunity to gain an understanding of various marketing roles. For example, I’m currently organizing a video shoot for social media. Later on there are also plans for training with agencies that we work with. I’m also set to visit the content marketing department at Valuu, PostFinance’s independent online mortgage platform. Secondly, I was overwhelmed by the warm reception I got and the appreciation shown to me as a new team member. I received lots of welcome e-mails from the team and was invited for a coffee with our head of marketing so we could get to know each other. I felt very welcome from the very first moment. What I really appreciated was being able to work independently right from the start and having the chance to lead meetings myself. 

What are your expectations of these nine months in the temporary job change?

I only really had theoretical knowledge of marketing. I’m now excited to discover how marketing works in practice at PostFinance. I’m curious to see how the processes work and what considerations are made before and during the launch of new products and services. My first involvement came during my existing role as a business customer advisor, as we had to position the products and services on the market.

To what extent does PostFinance as an employer benefit from this change?

As a customer advisor, I come from the side of the customers who the marketing is aimed at. I bring expertise from the front line and perhaps also a different perspective on things. I consistently approach things from the customer’s perspective and am always thinking about how well the measures planned will go down with customers. Knowing the company and its products and services so well is definitely an advantage.

Finally, what advice would you give others and who would you recommend a temporary job change to?

Anyone still looking at career options and who is uncertain about where they belong. My advice would be not to spend too much time thinking about the ifs and buts and instead simply embrace the opportunity. A temporary job change is an incredible opportunity to gain experience. It’s a bit like a trial apprenticeship, but where you stay longer, are still paid your previous salary and are also able to return to your existing job. I think it’s brilliant PostFinance and Swiss Post provide this kind of opportunity. You can only gain from the experience.