Use This Simple Secret to Help You Switch Careers
Photo: Kristina Flour | Unsplash.com
When it comes to changing careers, transferable skills can be your secret weapon. These skills, acquired through previous jobs or life experiences, can seamlessly transfer from your current industry to a new career field. In this blog post, we'll explore how to leverage transferable skills, highlight them in your resume and cover letter, and significantly improve your chances of securing an interview. Let's dive in!
Identify Your Transferable Skills:
To begin, it's crucial to identify the skills that can easily transfer from your current role to the desired one. Take a moment to compare the tasks involved in both positions and identify commonalities. Here are a few examples of common transferable skills:
Effective oral and written communication
Excellent time management
Ability to juggle competing priorities
Strong problem-solving capabilities
Relationship-building expertise
By thoroughly analyzing your skills, you might even uncover new career opportunities that you haven't previously considered. Let's take the example of a retired teacher seeking a fresh career path.
Real-Life Example: Transitioning from Teaching
Recently, I worked with a retired teacher who was unsure of her options beyond teaching. Together, we explored her teaching skills and discovered some of her transferable skills:
public speaking
creating engaging presentations
condensing and presenting information
building rapport
writing lesson plans
Although she no longer wished to work with children, she expressed interest in presenting information to adults and having a flexible schedule. As she realized how her skills could be applied in different career fields, numerous opportunities opened up, including becoming a nonprofit advocate, giving museum tours, or working with adult students pursuing their GED or learning English as a second language.
Personal Experience: Transitioning During Economic Recession
I used the same strategy at one point in my own career as well. During the economic recession of 2009, I was struggling to find a job as a journalist close to home. I started to get creative and examined my options. I noticed that a local career center was hiring a career developer. I’ve always been good at resumes, cover letters and job interviews, so I tossed my hat into the ring.
I knew my skills in building rapport, conducting interviews, taking detailed notes, and being an excellent writer and communicator aligned with the position. I applied, emphasizing how my journalism skills translated to their requirements. The result? I landed the job, which not only provided invaluable experience but also ignited my passion for assisting job seekers. Although I eventually returned to journalism, the skills and training from that position enabled me to also become a career coach.
Optimize Your Resume:
As a career changer, it's essential to reorganize and reword your resume to highlight your transferable skills. If you lack work experience in the new field, emphasize relevant education or volunteer work that demonstrates the necessary skills. Additionally, consider creating a dedicated "skills" section on your resume to showcase your transferable skills. The Muse offers excellent examples of how to accomplish this effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:
In your cover letter, briefly explain your decision to pursue a new career and illustrate how your past experience has prepared you for the role. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your skills can be applied in the new position.
For instance, here is an example for someone transitioning from retail sales to an account executive role in business development:
While most of my previous roles have been in retail, interacting with customers on a daily basis has honed my people skills and taught me to quickly identify customers’ needs. I have a track record of “up-selling” in my current role by discovering additional products that will be valuable to customers. I also have the ability to quickly establish a rapport with people, and I have relished the opportunities I’ve had to build relationships with repeat customers. As an account manager with your organization, I will use these skills to maintain strong relationships with clients and to develop new business opportunities.
The copy above highlights the person's expertise in identifying customer needs, success in up-selling, and the ability to build strong relationships with customers. The Balance Careers website provides further guidance and offers another good example.
The Bottom Line:
By effectively highlighting your transferable skills in your resume and cover letter, you significantly enhance your chances of securing an interview. Embrace the power of transferable skills and confidently embark on your new career path!
Have you successfully changed careers? Share your story in the comments.