How do you pitch your career change to employers?

Companies don't hire solely based on knowledge or experience; they seek solutions. Transferable skills like strategic thinking, persuasion, leadership and adaptability are invaluable in any career path, transcend job roles and industries—and they complement your technical skills. To truly stand out, it's essential to substantiate transferrable skills with concrete evidence from your past experiences. Whether it's leading a successful cross-functional project, persuading a team to adopt a new strategy, or showcasing adaptability in navigating industry shifts, tangible examples bolster your credibility. Your transferable skills are the universal currency that propels you forward, sets you apart and open doors to diverse career possibilities.

Articulating how your unique background directly translates into tangible benefits for the employer is key to showcasing your value during a career change. While mentioning transferable skills is important, go beyond just listing the skills. Employers want to see you can apply those skills effectively and contribute to their team's success. To strengthen your pitch, -highlight impact over skills, -emphasize solutions you bring, and -frame yourself as the missing piece

Emphasizing your transferable skills is crucial when making a career change pitch. It's essential to showcase how your skills, both soft and hard, can be assets in the new role. Reflect on your past experiences and draw connections between your accomplishments and the demands of the target position. By highlighting your relevant skills, you'll demonstrate your ability to adapt and excel in the new career path. This approach can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers or organizations.

Switching careers? Here's how to pitch it: Briefly intro yourself and current role. Mention your excitement for the new field. Highlight relevant skills from your past that apply now. Show initiative (courses, projects) related to the new field. Keep it short (30-60 seconds).

When transitioning careers, it's not the "hard skills" you showcase, but rather your "outstanding points" and "soft skills" that take center stage during your pitch. Focus on your strengths and clearly articulate their value in your new professional landscape. Demonstrating how these skills contribute to the new role can significantly enhance your appeal to potential employers or collaborators. This approach highlights your adaptability and the unique contributions you bring, making you a compelling candidate in any new field.

Articulating your reasons for a career change is pivotal in your pitch. It provides insight into your motivations and helps potential employers understand your commitment to the new role. Consider your personal and professional drivers for the switch, and connect them with the values and objectives of the target organization. This alignment demonstrates your genuine interest and the potential contributions you can make. It's about conveying not only what you're leaving behind but also what you're moving toward, emphasizing how your background and aspirations match the new career path.

In a career transition, explaining your motivation for the new path is what listeners often find most compelling (I estimate about 80% of the audience in a pitching session are curious about this). This is where your soft skills and outstanding points come into play. Use them to highlight your drive and goals. Express your passion and enthusiasm, and clarify what you aim to achieve in your new career. This not only creates an engaging atmosphere but also helps the audience understand and connect with you on a deeper level. Your reason for change, articulated with fervor, can be the most influential part of your presentation.

Showcasing your readiness and enthusiasm is pivotal in a career change pitch. It conveys your dedication to a smooth transition. For example, if transitioning from journalism to web development, mention completed courses, web projects, and tech interests. This evidences your proactive approach and eagerness to thrive in the new role, demonstrating to potential employers your commitment to success.

Showcasing thorough preparation for a career transition pitch, in terms of skills, mindset, and physical readiness, is a powerful way to communicate your value. Including brief statistics about specific courses or research can further bolster your presentation, especially if they reflect emerging trends in your chosen field. Thus, meticulous preparation, combined with confident, passionate delivery, is key. This approach not only demonstrates your dedication but also your adaptability and eagerness to grow in your new career path.

Another element to consider is how you can evidence your interest and/ or your strong skill in the new area. Here are two examples: 1) One of my clients was an architect and wanted to pivot her career to the Marketing area. As an architect, she expressed her passion by creating an Instagram account and promoting all her traveling, giving travel tips, etc. So, when she started to apply for jobs in Marketing, I encouraged her to share her Instagram account with potential recruiters/ employers and it demonstrated her passion. 2) I've also supported a client to move from accounting to a project manager role. To demonstrate her skill set, we've included all the charity projects she had co-ordinated in her previous career.