How to make your transferable skills work for you

Whether it’s down to circumstance or personal choice, deciding to switch careers can be a key moment in your life – swapping one successful role for another. Making this change can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. 

With the right approach and mindset, you can successfully transition into a new career that aligns with your interests, values, and goals. One key to making a successful career change is to focus on your transferable skills. 

What do Professor Brian Cox, Vera Wang and Ronald Reagan have in common? They all made a career change and leveraged their valuable transferable skills in the proces

After starting his career as a musician in the late 80s, Brian Cox swapped his keyboard for his telescope in the late 90s, and has since launched his career as a physicist, becoming the well-known face of science in Britain today. 

Ronald Reagan switched the red carpet for the White House in the 60s after a stint as a professional actor. His skills in front of the camera served him well as he went on to serve as the 40th President of the United States for 8 years.

Renowned fashion designer Vera Wang aimed for the stars as an Olympic figure skater when she decided to pivot into haut-couture - she hung up her skates and used her network to bag herself an editorial role at Vogue. The rest, they say, is history.

So, what can we learn?

Transferable skills are skills you've developed in your previous roles and industries that are attractive to new roles and industries. These include problem-solving, project management skills, communication skills, leadership skills, analytical skills, critical thinking skills and teamwork. By identifying and highlighting your transferable skills in your job search, you can demonstrate to potential opportunities that you have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in a new role.

For example, Sean Briggs, adviser at Connected Financial Management, decided to pivot his career with the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy after a career as a mental health specialist. Sean describes himself as a people person – he knew that whichever role he transitioned into, it would have to be people focused. He knew his ability to communicate effectively would set him apart. It is often these soft skills that are the most transferable. 

Drawing on his experience from his previous career, he now applies this to financial advice. “People are surprised when they hear where I transitioned from – both roles enable me to support, understand and get to know people, as well as their families too.”

To identify your transferable skills, start by creating a transferable skills list of all the tasks and responsibilities you've had in your previous roles. Then, think about the skills you used to complete those tasks and responsibilities. For example, if you've been a customer service representative, you've likely developed strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills and the ability to handle difficult situations.

Another way to identify a transferable skill is by creating a list of achievements and successes in your past roles. Reflect on what you did well, what you enjoyed and where you excelled. These will give you a good indication of your skillset.

Once you've identified the best examples of transferable skills, it's time to highlight them in your CV and cover letter. Again, use language that demonstrates how your skills can be applied to new roles and industries. For example, explain how you've used your skills to achieve specific results in your past roles instead of simply listing your skills. 

In addition to highlighting your transferable skills in your job search materials, it's also important to focus on them during the interview process. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used your transferable skills in past roles and how you plan to use them in your new role.

Keep in mind that a career change is not an overnight process. For job seekers, it takes time, research, and effort to make it happen. The important thing is to stay positive and persistent throughout the hiring process and to keep your skills and achievements in mind as you explore new career options. You can increase your chances of finding a new career that aligns with your interests, values, and goals by highlighting your transferable skills.

If there’s anything we can learn from Cox, Reagan and Wang, it’s that when we consider a career change, it's important to focus on your transferable skills for a potential employer. These skills can open many doors and make you an attractive candidate for potential careers in different fields. In addition, you can effectively market yourself to new industries and opportunities by taking an inventory of your skills, achievements, and successes.

So, to recap:

1)    List all the tasks and responsibilities you’ve had in previous roles

2)   Write down the skills you used to complete those tasks and responsibilities

3)  Create a list of achievements and successes in your past roles:

a.   What did you do well?

b.   What did you enjoy?

c.    Where did you excel?

4)  Highlight these skills in your CV and cover letter:

a.   Use language that demonstrates how your skills can be applied

5)  Be prepared to discuss your skills in interviews