The skills game

If you are looking to switch industries, you will have to show employers what skills you can transfer from where you've been

The concept of transferable skills is important for job seekers in today's economy. In your resumé, cover letter, and during the interview process, you need to prove that you have the experience, knowledge, passion, and drive to get the job done.

If you have been doing the same job for years, and plan to stay in a similar position, or identical industry, your present skills are what you showcase to employers.

If you are looking to switch industries or take a different position than the one you have now, you will have to show potential employers why you are the best candidate and the best match for the position.

What are transferable skills?
 

They are the skills you have acquired up to this point in your life that can help you do something else in your career.

So, how do you showcase your transferrable skills effectively? Stop telling yourself that the only job you can get is the same job you have now.

Many people tell me that a job in a different industry would not be available to them because they don't have experience in that industry.

It is true that people do look to what you have done in the past as an indicator of what you can do in the future.

And yes, people can write you off quickly if they scan your resumé and see that you have not worked in their industry or held the same title before.

You can overcome screening techniques that might eliminate you. It's your job to tell people why you are a match for a position. Use facts and examples that support your case.
Show them that you not only understand the responsibilities of the position, but how your skills are transferrable.

In addition, your background has given you insight that will help you perform that role exceptionally well. They may or may not accept your background, but at least you tried. But, the people you speak to won't believe you if you don't believe in yourself first.

Tell yourself that you won't get a job for whatever reason, and you won't. Tell yourself that you will and you just might surprise yourself.

Research where your present skills can fit somewhere else.

Begin with job descriptions you believe you would be interested in. Go online and do a search on your present title.
 

What jobs do you see?

As you search for jobs, it doesn't matter where the jobs are located yet. You just want to get a sense of what the job market is asking for. Five to ten job descriptions is a good number to look at initially.

Then, take out a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle of a page.

On the left hand side, make a list of the requirements for the jobs you want, and on the right hand side next to each item on the list, do the following: If you have done the same tasks, but in a different industry, write down what you did.

If you have done something similar, write down how it was similar or close to what they are looking for.

If you have not done a task before, write down how in the past you did not know how to do something, and how you got up to speed quickly. Detail the process. This will be your plan for showing how you can acquire new skills.

Here are some examples: You have done the same tasks, but in a different industry.

If you managed a project, created a business plan, or sold something, how you went about doing these tasks are the same regardless of the industry you were in. The terminology may be different, but how you got from point A to Z is the same.
 

Write down how it's the same.

You have done something similar or close to what they are looking for.

If they want you to run reports using a software programme that you had not used before, get online and see what type of reports that software produces.

The software may be different than what you are used to, but the output of the report is probably the same. Write down how it's the same.