What are your transferable skills when changing industries?

1 Assess your current skills

The first step to finding your transferable skills is to assess your current skills and experience. You can use various tools and methods to do this, such as a skills inventory, a SWOT analysis, or a career portfolio. The goal is to list all the skills that you have developed and used in your previous and current roles, both hard and soft. Hard skills are the technical and practical skills that are specific to a task or a field, such as accounting, programming, or writing. Soft skills are the interpersonal and behavioral skills that are essential for working with others, such as communication, teamwork, or problem-solving.

2 Identify the skills in demand

The next step is to identify the skills that are in demand in the industry that you want to enter. You can research the industry trends, the job descriptions, and the employer expectations to find out what skills are valued and required. You can also network with people who work in the industry and ask them about their skills and challenges. You want to look for the common and core skills that are relevant and applicable to the industry, as well as the specific and niche skills that can give you an edge.

4 Highlight your skills in your resume and cover letter

The fourth step is to highlight your transferable skills in your resume and cover letter. You want to tailor your documents to the industry and the specific job that you are applying for. You want to use keywords and phrases that match the industry language and the job requirements. You want to provide concrete examples and evidence of how you have used your transferable skills in your previous and current roles, and how they can benefit the employer and the industry. You want to avoid jargon and acronyms that are specific to your old industry and that might confuse or alienate the employer.

5 Demonstrate your skills in your interview and portfolio

The fifth step is to demonstrate your transferable skills in your interview and portfolio. You want to prepare for the common and behavioral questions that might test your skills and knowledge of the industry. You want to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer the questions with specific and relevant examples of how you have applied your transferable skills in different situations. You want to show enthusiasm, curiosity, and adaptability for the industry and the role. You also want to showcase your portfolio if you have one, or create one if you don't. A portfolio is a collection of work samples and projects that demonstrate your skills and achievements. You can use online platforms or tools to create a digital portfolio that showcases your transferable skills in action.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?