What do you do if your career transition requires leveraging your existing experience and skills?

It’s not about starting with what you’re bringing to table. It’s about starting with your target audience in mind; their vision, objectives, goals, values and pain points. You want to know what they want to achieve and then what you have in your toolbox that could help them achieve it. This could be a mix of transferable hard skills and soft skills but also personality traits and natural strengths. Your values will also play a role as they drive you and fuel your performance which could help them achieve certain objectives. As long as you can show you understand their needs and communicate the results you can help them achieve with examples of previous successes (that showcase relevant qualities) you’ll make a solid start.

My approach to updating resumes during a career transition is to strategically reposition my client's experience. This involves emphasizing the relevance of their past roles to their new industry, which I often achieve by highlighting universal competencies and framing their achievements in a way that resonates across sectors.

I love this question! This is what I help my clients with all the time - Its all about story telling. You take the skills you learn and experiences you have and translate it to your new role. Often hiring managers look for how well can you translate your transferable skills to this new role.... Dont look for cookie cutter answers here - Show how creative you are- open their eyes to "wow, I never thought about it that way!"

Identify Transferable Skills Reflect on Your Experience: Break down your current and past roles to identify skills and experiences that are transferable to your new career path. This includes both hard skills (technical abilities, specific knowledge) and soft skills (communication, leadership, problem-solving). Research and Align Understand the New Field: Deeply research the industry or role you’re transitioning into. Understand the skills, experiences, and qualifications most valued in your target field. Match Your Skills to Industry Needs: Align your identified transferable skills with what’s needed in your new career. Highlight how your background provides a unique perspective or advantage.

When transitioning careers while leveraging existing experience and skills, it's essential to assess transferable skills, research the new field, and identify areas for additional training or education. Networking and seeking support from professionals in the target industry can provide valuable insights and opportunities. Tailoring resumes and online profiles to highlight relevant experiences and achievements helps showcase suitability for the new career path. Patience and persistence are key, as career transitions take time. By effectively leveraging existing skills and experiences, individuals can successfully navigate a career transition and position themselves for success in their new field.

Your resume is sometimes the hardest part of making a transition. Always investigate ways around not submitting a CV for a role? Can you connect with the line manager ? Or do you know anyone via LinkedIn that might connect you? Many employers ( and applicant tracking systems) struggle with functional CVs rather than your traditional chronological format. If you do need to submit a cv you need to shape the details of your work experience around the language of the role you are applying to. Highlighting key transferable skills and experience in the content of the role advertised. If you are transitioning to a totally new industry where can you add value to your cv with volunteer/ intern experience or additional studies in the sector?

Update Resume: Think of your resume as your personal billboard. It's not just about listing what you've done; it's about highlighting how those experiences make you the perfect candidate for your new role. Customize it for your target audience, showing a clear line from past achievements to future contributions. Use language that resonates with your new industry or role.

I'd say almost NEVER use a functional resume. When transitioning, a hybrid resume with a short section on first page focusing on overall career, highlights/transferrable accomplishments, and skills, followed by a chronological resume is best. Even in the chronological section, focus on transferrable skills. It's important to prepare the reader with the first section for what is to follow in the second.

Network Strategically Engage with Your Industry: Attend industry conferences, seminars, and networking events. Join relevant groups on LinkedIn or other professional platforms. Conduct Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals already working in your desired field for informational interviews. This can provide insider insights and potential leads. Utilize Your Existing Network: Inform your current professional network about your career transition. They may offer support, advice, or connections that can help.

Sending applications do not work when career transitioning out of your job. Job seekers are unable to position themselves effectively with recruiters or HR, who usually want 100% match candidates. These job seekers, however, can be highly successful and snag the job when bypassing gatekeepers and networking for direct access to the hiring decision-makers.

Networking is a marketing exercise. Gathering information about your target clients (companies/hiring managers) and uncovering their needs. You are a product in a market of jobs. Your opportunities will depend on who knows you and how influential they are. Develop relationships with people who at the center of influence in your desired career path.

Connecting ( I hate the word networking !) is a really useful tool during this transition; not only for you to meet potential employers but also for you to build a full understanding of the job or industry. It's very easy for us to imagine what the "perfect" new job might look like .. but the reality of the role could be very different. Spend time meeting and chatting with people in similar roles already to build your knowledge. I call these "informational interviews" - what does a good day/ bad day look like in this role /sector? Get to know more about the role and its challenges before you leap in!

Network Strategically: Your network is a goldmine. But don’t just blast out generic “Looking for opportunities” messages. Engage with intention. Seek out mentors and peers in your desired field. Attend industry events, either virtually or in person. The goal? To learn, yes, but also to get your name and ambitions known to those who can help make them a reality.

Revamp Your Branding Materials Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize your relevant experience and transferable skills for the new career. Use a functional or combination resume format if it better showcases your abilities. Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is a prime opportunity to tell your career transition story. Explain why you’re making the switch and how your background is a valuable asset. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Align your LinkedIn profile with your career transition goals. Highlight relevant projects, skills, and professional interests that reflect your new direction

There are tons of free learning opportunities. Check out LinkedIn Learning to find courses to help you gain the language, knowledge, and skills you need. This is also a great way for you to find new areas of interest or brush up on rusty skills. Even outside of transition periods, learning should never stop. Time between roles is a great time to keep your brain and your skills fresh. Learning shows employers many things about you - curiosity, willingness to learn/grow, adaptability, ability to constructively use your time/energy, and desire to move with the market/trends/needs of organizations.

Learn Continuously: The landscape’s always changing; staying curious is your compass. Whether it’s formal education, online courses, or self-study, align your learning with the demands of your desired role. Show you’re not just ready for the transition but are also bringing fresh, up-to-date knowledge to the table.

If you are moving into a new field then building your experience in this area is really key; not only to confirm its something you definitely want to be involved in but it will also build your knowledge. Volunteering can be a really useful way to transition into a new sector, confirming its the right move for you and creating skills and a network to help make move.

Mid-career job seekers have extensive experience but underestimate and undersell its value to a new employer. Look at what you love and your experience before signing up for new courses.

Gain Experience: This can be the tricky part, right? If direct experience in your new field is what you’re lacking, look for bridge opportunities. Freelance projects, volunteer work, or even personal projects can serve as proof of your commitment and ability. It’s about showing, not just telling, that you’re capable.

Networking is a great avenue to finding ways to gain experience - including volunteer, contract/consulting, or part-time roles. Look local - many people overlook opportunities for hands-on experiences because they're locked into the remote work mindset. Smaller companies may be more willing to take on someone with less experience but a willingness to learn/take on multiple or different responsibilities/be adaptable.

5 steps to sell yourself effectively during a career transition: 1) CRAFT YOUR NARRATIVE Connect past experiences with future goals. Create a story that shows your journey. 2) CLARIFY YOUR WHY Articulate why you're changing careers. Understand your motives deeply. 3) ALIGN YOUR SKILLS Highlight how your current skills benefit the new field. Make your value clear. 4) PRACTICE YOUR PITCH Ensure your pitch is concise and convincing. Practice makes perfect. 5) DISPLAY CONFIDENCE Show confidence in your abilities. Stand out by the value you bring. ><> Master these steps to navigate career changes and shine in the job market. <><

Absolutely key to making this move is the reasoning around the "why". No only so you can help potential employers understand why you are making this move, but also for the tough days for you; its good to have written down some reminders of the "why" and they can be handy to keep you motivated.

You are your best representative. Your skills and expertise are part of your story. Knowing how to share your story is essential in a career transition. You can help potential employers see how you fit into the desired role by making the connection between what they're looking for and what you've done. Be confident in your uniqueness.

Sell Yourself: Remember, confidence is key. You’re not just a candidate making a shift; you're a seasoned professional bringing valuable experience to a new arena. Craft your story in a way that highlights your unique perspective and skills, making it clear why you’re not just fitting in but actually adding value to your new field.

If you have the skills needed to leverage for a new job, you are already a great candidate. Now 'sell yourself'- use every speaking opportunity to become a more and more attractive candidate. Until you get the offer you should not be asking discerning questions about whether you want the job, you can figure that out later. Start with understanding of their problems you will solve when you are in this role! What are the top skills of yours from which they will benefit? Use the job description to analyze what they are looking for and prepare your stories for how you can demonstrate expertise. Be comfortable sitting with silence. Prepare your stories about your achievements and don't water the point by filling space with talking!!

A successful transition is founded on 3 things: 1. Knowing your existing skills that you can take with you 2. Knowing the gaps to fill in your knowledge and experience so you can a) seek opportunities to fill it or b) demonstrate that you recognize the gaps ad show willingness to close them 3. Believe you can do it and don't give up until someone opens a door to support your transition

Here’s what else to consider: Mindset matters. A career transition is as much a mental journey as a professional one. Embrace the mindset of a learner, be open to feedback, and be prepared for setbacks. They’re not roadblocks; they’re stepping stones. Keep your eye on the why behind your transition—it’s your North Star guiding you through the ups and downs. Transitioning careers is an adventure, an opportunity to reinvent your professional self while leveraging the wealth of experience you already possess. Stay focused, stay flexible, and above all, stay excited about the possibilities ahead.

Your value depends on what environment you are in, so make an effort to find out where you are the most valued and thrive the most.