Considering a Different Job or New Career Path? Start by Identifying Your Transferable Skills

The emergence of ever-smarter technology, coupled with health and safety requirements, are having an incredible impact on the workplace. The ripples of progress can be felt across all industry sectors, with some jobs being made redundant, others being augmented by emerging technology, while new roles are coming into being requiring completely new skills.

 

It can be daunting, but as new in-demand skills emerge—those who have a learning mindset will be best positioned for the future of work. A recent LHH LinkedIn survey found that the vast majority—89%--of respondents were planning to upskill in 2021 in order to stay on top of their game. For some this means becoming an early adopter of the latest technology tools that start to appear, while others will be picking up new skills to shift the focus of their career and find a new position.

 

For those exploring new career paths, it’s crucial to identify your transferable skills. You might be surprised at how your abilities can apply across various roles, functions, and industries—helping you become a top contender in new career opportunities.

 

Here's what you need to do to identify and make the most of your transferable skills to allow you to apply your talents, abilities and experience in a new role and/or new field.

 

 

Sometimes you need the clarity that only a physical list can provide. Start by listing both your hard skills (e.g., management, analytical, technical, presentation, and computer skills) and soft skills (e.g., creativity, problem-solving, leadership, communication, teamwork, customer service). If you’re struggling, think through your regular tasks and break them down into actionable skills. Make sure to include these on your resume to highlight your skills inventory.

 

In order to see where your skills fit, or what you might need to learn in order to find your next role, it's worth doing a bit of research. Look through job listings in the function and/or industry you are interested in. This gives you an excellent idea of the desired abilities that turn up time and again. What's more, if you can identify an area where you fall short of the requirements then you'll be able to take steps to fill the gap in your knowledge.

 

 

Once you’ve identified areas where you need improvement, seek online courses to help bridge those gaps. Accredited courses (e.g., Google’s tools) are a great place to start. Additionally, tap into your network for recommendations on useful resources to further your career development.

 

Create a structured plan to tackle multiple areas for improvement. Prioritize your learning goals and be mindful of course availability and time commitments so you can manage your professional growth effectively.

 

 

It's important not to rush things and burn yourself out, especially if you are learning and completing courses on top of your regular working hours. This can be as simple as penciling in time to take courses in advance, or even setting aside a regular period to do some reading and research.

 

Remember, you don’t need to match every technical skill listed in a job description to be a contender. By strategically identifying and emphasizing your transferable skills, you can demonstrate your value to potential employers, positioning yourself as a strong candidate for new career opportunities.