Your client is uncertain about their skill transferability. How can you guide them to success in a new field?

When consulting a professional on the potential for successful skills transferability, I focus on a few basic components. First, does the context align? In other words, the person's experience must possess common fundamental elements with the new field. Identify those, and then next you must determine how those skills will create value. Sometime that value will be a unique characteristic that creates a distinction in your candidacy. Finally, show evidence. Produce examples of projects or assignments that demonstrate how the transferable skills were applied in a way that mirrors the need of the new field. Relevance is key. Good luck!

1. Skill Inventory: As the Director of Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), I emphasize the importance of recognizing both hard and soft skills, regardless of age. Younger individuals should identify academic strengths and extracurricular activities showcasing leadership and teamwork. For mid-career professionals, pinpointing technical abilities and managerial skills is key. Often, people underestimate the versatility of soft skills like communication and problem-solving. Highlighting these helps in appreciating the full spectrum of capabilities, building confidence, and identifying transferable skills.

The skill inventory step is very important. I often help my clients to identify not only the skills but also the strengths/ talents out of which those skills are coming from. I help my clients to draw and analyse their talents, skills, tasks and achievements tree. This is a crucial step before moving forward. The talents are the roots of the tree, the skills are the branches, the leaves are the tasks and the fruits are the achievements.

1. Identify Transferable Skills: Help them list skills such as communication, problem-solving, project management, and leadership that are valuable in multiple industries. 2. Match Skills to Job Requirements: Show them how their skills align with job descriptions in their desired field. 3. Create a Skills-Based Resume: Structure their resume to highlight transferable skills prominently, with specific examples of how these skills were applied successfully. 4. Provide Examples: Share success stories or case studies of others who have successfully transitioned to different industries using similar skills.

Self-Assessment and Goal Setting: Identify your passions: What truly excites you? What are you naturally good at? Set clear goals: Define short-term and long-term objectives that align with your passions and career aspirations.

Researching the industry is a crucial step in analyzing your transferable skills. I advise my clients to make a list of the skills that they have and of the skills that are required. In order to do that I suggest they gather at least 7 job descriptions and write down all the skills necessary (splitting them into soft and hard skills). Once all the skills are mapped, it is the time to make gap analysis and make conclusions. What are the areas of skills overlap and where are the gaps.

Encourage your client to conduct thorough study on the chosen industry. This involves learning about industry trends, necessary skills, popular employment roles, and potential employers. This knowledge assists them in determining where their current skills fit and where they need to improve.

2. Industry Research: Guiding clients to conduct thorough research on their desired field is crucial for informed decisions. This involves exploring industry trends, job descriptions, and key competencies. A student considering healthcare should understand the sector’s regulatory environment and operational dynamics. For a professional moving from finance to healthcare administration, diving into healthcare management specifics is essential. Looking beyond job titles to core functions helps clients correlate past experiences with future responsibilities, transforming transitions into strategic steps forward.

This involves learning about industry trends, necessary skills, popular employment roles, and potential employers. A strong value proposition highlights what clients bring and how their fresh perspective can drive success.

3. Gap Analysis: We’ve developed a tailored gap analysis process for different age groups and career stages. For young graduates, this might mean identifying the need for further education or certifications. Mid-career professionals might need to acquire new technical skills or gain part-time project experience. Identifying these gaps allows for targeted skill acquisition plans. For instance, a marketing professional aiming for digital analytics might need to learn Google Analytics or Python, boosting confidence and competitiveness in the job market.

It always helps to have someone external work with you and review your skills to identify the ones that are transferable to the new industry. People external to you look at it with fresh eyes and always uncover bits of gold you can take with you!

To address your client's uncertainty about skill transferability, part of the skills analysis should include a skills gap analysis. An objective view can help clients address personal blind spots and provide a fresh perspective on their skills. Map out their current skills and compare them against the skills needed in the target roles/sector to identify development areas. With this information, create a targeted plan to acquire necessary skills through education, self-study, or practical experience. This proactive approach boosts confidence and enhances competitiveness, supporting the potential transition to a new field.

Expand your network: Attend industry events, conferences, and online forums to connect with professionals. Leverage social media: Use platforms like LinkedIn to build your professional network and showcase your expertis

Informational interviews are useful, i.e. talking to people in the industries/roles that you want to get into, to better understand what are the gaps that you may have and how you can bridge this gap. Find out if you need to upskill by taking a new course, or find out new perspectives from people in the industry. By doing so, you will be equipped with valuable information, and you will also be building your professional network.

Encouraging your client to leverage networking opportunities is a powerful tool in navigating skill transferability uncertainties is crucial. I think of networking in the context of a spider’s web, strategically placing yourself at the centre to maximise opportunities, start by understanding your target audience and their locations. Make networking an integral part of your career management strategy, maintain consistent efforts beyond job searches. Building a robust network with professionals in the new field, offers opportunities to gain industry insights, mentorship, and access the hidden job market. This proactive approach not only boosts confidence but also enhances their possibilities of transitioning to a new career field.

4. Networking Strategies: Networking is essential for career transitions. We encourage clients of all ages to build industry connections. Young professionals should attend career fairs and join relevant student organizations. Experienced individuals should leverage professional associations and attend industry-specific conferences. Networking provides insights into industry trends, opens doors to mentorship, and reveals hidden job opportunities. Effective networking enhances understanding of new fields, facilitating smoother integration and career success.

Encourage your customer to start networking in the new field. Attend industry events, join professional associations, or use LinkedIn to connect with people working in the target sector. Networking can bring useful information, mentoring possibilities, and even employment leads.

5. Value Proposition: Articulating a value proposition showcases skills to potential employers. We help clients create concise statements for resumes, cover letters, and interviews. For young graduates, it’s highlighting academic achievements and internships. For experienced professionals, it focuses on industry knowledge and leadership skills. For example, a project manager moving into non-profit management could emphasize expertise in resource optimization and stakeholder engagement. A strong value proposition highlights what clients bring and how their fresh perspective can drive success.

Develop a personalized action plan to bridge those gaps, which may include: Targeted training or education Networking opportunities in the new field Informational interviews with professionals in the target industry Volunteer work or internships to gain relevant experience

Some skill gaps are relatively easy to close, by for example taking a short course. Other gaps are more difficult to close and will require more effort (like for example learning a new language). Make it clear for yourself what is crucial to do your new job and what are you willing to do to get there!

When you apply for a new position in a new field, it’s important to have confidence in the assessment of the key decision-makers who selected you. While you may be unsure about how transferable your skills are, they should have a better understanding about the skills you have that they need. Basically, don’t second-guess their judgement. If they think you have what it takes to succeed, then understand from them what they see in you, rather than thinking you don’t have what it takes.

Important point to keep in mind is that almost all soft skills are transferable. But only some hard skills are transferable. This is mainly due to the fact that hard skills are often industry specific. When preparing for the interview I always help my clients with getting clear which of their skills are transferable and I always encourage them to write down the stories from their professional experience that support those skills.