When shifting to a new career, one of your greatest assets isn’t starting from scratch — it’s transferable skills. These are abilities you’ve already developed that apply across different industries and roles. Identifying them gives you a competitive edge and makes your transition smoother and faster.
In this guide, we’ll break down the steps to uncover your transferable skills and show you how to present them confidently when pursuing a new career.
What Are Transferable Skills?
Transferable skills are the talents and abilities you’ve picked up in previous roles — both professional and personal — that can be applied in a new job or industry.
These skills are often not job-specific, which means they’re highly valuable across different sectors.
Common transferable skills include:
- Communication
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Project management
- Leadership
- Research and analysis
- Organization
Why Transferable Skills Matter
When you switch careers, employers won’t expect you to have every specific technical skill. But they do want to know you can:
- Adapt quickly
- Solve problems
- Collaborate effectively
- Learn and grow
Your transferable skills prove you have what it takes, even if your experience is from a different industry.
Step 1: Review Your Work and Life Experience
Start by looking at everything you’ve done — not just job titles. Include:
- Full-time and part-time jobs
- Volunteer work
- Internships
- Personal projects
- Side hustles
- Leadership roles in community groups or clubs
Action Step:
Create a document listing each role or activity and describe what you did, challenges you faced, and how you handled them.
Step 2: Identify Skills You Used Frequently
Look for tasks or responsibilities that appeared again and again across roles. These are likely your strongest transferable skills.
Ask:
- What tasks did I do daily or weekly?
- Which tasks required planning, communicating, or problem-solving?
- What tools or methods did I use to get things done?
Action Step:
Underline or highlight the repeated skills across your experience list.
Step 3: Categorize Your Transferable Skills
Group your skills into clear categories to help clarify your strengths.
Communication skills
- Writing emails, reports, or blog posts
- Public speaking or presentations
- Negotiating or customer support
Organizational skills
- Scheduling
- Event planning
- Workflow optimization
Leadership skills
- Managing a team
- Mentoring
- Conflict resolution
Analytical skills
- Research
- Data interpretation
- Critical thinking
Action Step:
Create a simple table with skill categories and list examples under each.
Step 4: Match Skills to Your Target Career
Research job descriptions in your desired industry. Look for patterns in the requirements and responsibilities.
Ask:
- What skills do employers frequently request?
- Which of those do I already have?
- Which can I develop quickly?
Action Step:
Choose 3–5 job listings and compare them to your skill list. Highlight overlapping skills — these are your top transferable assets.
Step 5: Gather Real Examples to Back Up Your Skills
Anyone can claim to have “strong communication skills,” but employers want to see proof.
For each skill, think of a situation where you used it successfully. Use the STAR method to craft your examples:
- Situation: What was the context?
- Task: What needed to be done?
- Action: What did you do?
- Result: What was the outcome?
Example:
Skill: Problem-solving
Example: Resolved a recurring inventory issue at my retail job by implementing a tracking spreadsheet, reducing stock errors by 30%.
Step 6: Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter
Your resume should reflect your transferable skills just as much as your job history.
Tips:
- Use a functional or hybrid resume format if changing industries
- Include a skills summary section at the top
- Mention soft skills and back them up with examples
In your cover letter, connect your past experience to your future goals. Focus on how your skills will benefit the company, not just your career switch.
Action Step:
Update your resume’s summary section to reflect 3–5 top transferable skills, with one-sentence examples of how you’ve used each.
Step 7: Practice Talking About Your Skills
In interviews, you’ll be asked about your qualifications. Being able to confidently talk about your transferable skills is key.
Tips:
- Focus on what you bring, not what you lack
- Talk about your adaptability and willingness to learn
- Use stories to show your strengths in action
Action Step:
Prepare 3 short stories (1–2 minutes each) that demonstrate your top transferable skills.
Step 8: Fill in the Gaps Strategically
If there are a few industry-specific skills you’re missing, don’t panic. You can start learning them now through:
- Online courses
- Certification programs
- Freelance projects
- Volunteering
This shows initiative and commitment — something employers love to see.
Action Step:
Pick one new skill to develop and set a 30-day learning goal (e.g., complete a beginner Excel course or write a portfolio project).
Final Thoughts: You’re More Prepared Than You Think
Many career changers underestimate how much they already know. By recognizing your transferable skills and learning to present them effectively, you can position yourself as a strong, capable candidate — even in a completely new field.
You’re not starting over. You’re starting with experience.