Changing careers can feel like stepping into the unknown. But before making the leap, one of the most empowering steps you can take is identifying the skills you already have — especially the ones you might be overlooking. Recognizing your strengths and transferable skills helps you gain clarity, confidence, and direction as you embark on a new professional path.
In this article, we’ll walk through practical strategies to uncover your abilities, assess what’s truly transferable, and get ready for a successful career transition.
Understand What “Skills” Really Mean
Many people think of “skills” only as technical capabilities, such as coding, graphic design, or accounting. But skills also include soft abilities like communication, adaptability, leadership, and time management. Understanding this broader definition is key when assessing what you bring to the table.
Skills typically fall into three categories:
- Hard skills – measurable, teachable abilities (e.g., Excel, data analysis, photography)
- Soft skills – interpersonal and character-based skills (e.g., teamwork, empathy)
- Transferable skills – a mix of hard and soft skills that are valuable across different roles and industries
Reflect on Your Past Roles and Experiences
Start with a deep dive into your previous jobs, volunteer work, side projects, and even hobbies. Ask yourself:
- What tasks did I enjoy most?
- When did I feel most competent and energized?
- What problems did I frequently solve?
- What do people often ask for my help with?
Sometimes we underestimate the value of certain tasks because they come easily to us — but these are often signs of strong natural abilities.
Action Step:
Make a list of every job or activity you’ve done in the past 10 years. For each one, write down:
- Your responsibilities
- The challenges you overcame
- Skills you used or learned You’ll begin to notice patterns and recurring strengths.
Ask for Feedback from Others
Friends, family, former coworkers, or supervisors can offer valuable insight into your strengths. They may recognize skills and traits in you that you’ve taken for granted or overlooked.
Action Step:
Reach out to 3-5 people who know you in different contexts. Ask:
- What do you think I’m good at?
- When have you seen me at my best?
- What roles or careers could you see me thriving in?
Compile their responses and look for common themes.
Take a Skills Assessment Test
There are many online tools designed to help you evaluate your skills and career preferences. While not definitive answers, they offer a great starting point to trigger insights and ideas.
Some popular (and free) assessments:
- 16Personalities.com (personality insights)
- Skillscan
- CliftonStrengths (some features free)
- CareerExplorer by Sokanu
Action Step:
Pick two assessments and compare your results. Look for recurring skills, preferences, and suggested career paths.
Analyze Your Transferable Skills
Once you’ve listed your skills, highlight the ones that can apply to multiple careers. These are your transferable skills, and they’re especially powerful when switching industries.
Common transferable skills include:
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Written and verbal communication
- Leadership
- Customer service
- Project management
Action Step:
Create two columns: one for your current career, and one for your target career. Match skills that overlap — these are your bridges for transition.
Match Your Skills to Career Options
Now that you have a clearer picture of your abilities, research career paths that value those skills. Read job descriptions, LinkedIn profiles of people in roles you’re interested in, or informational interviews.
You might discover:
- Careers you hadn’t considered
- Roles where your current experience gives you an edge
- Skills you might need to develop further
Action Step:
Pick 3 career options that interest you. For each one:
- Find 5 job listings
- Highlight common skill requirements
- Compare them to your own list
Build a Development Plan for Missing Skills
If you identify any skill gaps, don’t worry — you don’t need to be perfect to start fresh. Many skills can be learned through free or affordable courses, volunteering, freelancing, or side projects.
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare offer low-cost ways to upskill at your own pace.
Action Step:
Choose 1-2 new skills to develop that align with your target career. Set a goal and timeline — for example, “Complete an online SEO course within 4 weeks.”
Craft Your Personal Narrative
Being able to tell your story — why you’re making a change and how your past experience makes you a strong candidate — is key to landing your next role. Frame your career change as a strategic decision and highlight the transferable skills that support it.
Use this narrative in your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and interviews.
Action Step:
Write a short paragraph summarizing:
- Your career background
- Key strengths you’re carrying into the new field
- Why you’re excited about the new direction
Test the Waters with Small Experiments
If you’re still unsure, explore your options through small steps:
- Freelance in the new area
- Take on a volunteer project
- Start a side hustle
- Join a networking group or attend industry events
These experiences help you apply your skills in new ways and get valuable feedback before committing fully to a new career path.
Final Thoughts: You Have More Skills Than You Think
Career changes don’t require starting from scratch. Most people already possess a powerful set of skills — they just need to recognize and reframe them. By taking the time to understand your strengths, gather feedback, and align your talents with new opportunities, you’ll approach your next chapter with confidence and clarity.