How to Use Transferable Skills in Interviews

97% of career pivots fail because of this one mistake candidates make in the interviews. They pitch their past like baggage instead of leverage. A few months ago, someone told me: “I’m switching from operations to product. My background will work against me.” So I asked what they actually did in operations. They said, Fixed broken processes no one else wanted Coordinated across 6 teams with conflicting priorities Shipped improvements that reduced turnaround time by 28% Took ownership when things went wrong That’s not “just operations.” That’s problem discovery, stakeholder management, execution, and impact. 👉If you’ve managed deadlines, you understand prioritisation. 👉If you’ve handled clients, you know stakeholder management. 👉If you’ve trained juniors, you’ve done leadership. 👉If you’ve worked under chaos, you’ve built resilience and problem-solving. These are not soft skills. They are transferable assets. So here’s a simple exercise you can practice that works every single time: → Write down 3 problems you solved in your last role (not tasks, problems). → For each, note the skill it demanded: decision-making, prioritisation, influence, execution. → Add one measurable outcome, even if it’s small: time saved, errors reduced, people aligned. → Now rewrite it in the language of the role you’re pivoting into. The most successful career switchers I’ve coached didn’t start fresh. They repositioned smartly. 👉 Planning a career switch and feeling stuck? Drop your background + what’s holding you back in the comments! I’ll tell you what to fix first. #careerpivot #interviewcoach #careerswitch #careerstrategy

Stop disqualifying yourself from jobs. Start connecting your transferable skills instead 👇🏼 A hard truth I've learned from years as a career coach: Most qualified candidates never apply because they focus on what they lack instead of what they bring. Last month, I worked with Alex who wanted to transition into project management but kept saying "I don't have PM experience." Wrong mindset. This thinking keeps amazing candidates on the sidelines while less qualified (but more confident) people get hired. I helped Alex reframe his background using 3 strategies that landed him 2 offers: ✅ 1 // Map your transferable skills to their actual needs. Don't focus on job titles—focus on problems you've solved. Alex coordinated cross-functional teams, managed budgets, and delivered complex initiatives on time. That's project management, just without the official title. ✅ 2 // Highlight measurable achievements that translate across industries. We repositioned his "event coordination" as "managed $500K budgets and 50+ stakeholders to deliver projects 2 weeks ahead of schedule." Suddenly, his experience looked relevant. ✅ 3 // Reach out to decision makers before jobs are posted. Instead of waiting for perfect job postings, Alex researched target companies and connected with department heads on LinkedIn. He shared insights about challenges they were facing. The result? Two interviews for positions that were never advertised publicly. Both companies extended offers. They were impressed at how well he communicated his experience. The unfortunate reality is most people eliminate themselves from opportunities before employers ever get the chance to. Remember: Companies hire people who can solve their problems, not people with perfect resumes. 📌 Question: What's a role you've talked yourself out of applying for? What transferable skills do you actually have?

The key to identifying and highlighting transferable skills from a career break is simple: stop thinking of work as the only place where valuable skills are built. Every experience—whether it’s caregiving, studying, traveling, or even healing—teaches us something. The trick is learning how to translate those lessons into professional strengths. Instead of focusing on where you were, focus on what you did during that time. Ask yourself: • Did I manage a household? That’s leadership, budgeting, conflict resolution. • Did I care for a family member? That’s emotional intelligence, resilience, crisis management. • Did I go back to school? That’s adaptability, learning agility, and critical thinking. • Did I travel or take a sabbatical? That’s cultural intelligence, problem-solving, and networking. • Did I recover from burnout or focus on mental health? That’s self-awareness, stress management, and a deeper understanding of workplace well-being—an increasingly valuable skill. The bottom line? A career break isn’t a gap. It’s an experience. And when framed right, it’s an asset.

🔄 Feeling stuck in your career but unsure how to pivot after years in one field? You’re not alone. Many professionals crave a new challenge but don’t know where to start. Here’s how to make a smooth transition: 1️⃣ Identify Transferable Skills Your experience is more valuable than you think. Even if your industry is different, your core skills—problem-solving, leadership, communication, project management—are universal. ✅ Action Step: Make a list of your key skills and match them to roles in your target industry. 💡 Example: If you’ve worked in finance but want to move into tech, your analytical skills and data interpretation experience are still highly relevant. 2️⃣ Reframe Your Experience for Your New Audience Hiring managers in a new industry won’t automatically connect the dots—you have to do it for them. ✅ Action Step: Rewrite your resume, LinkedIn profile, and elevator pitch to highlight how your background applies to the new field. 💡 Tip: Focus on outcomes, impact, and skills rather than job titles. Instead of: ❌ "10 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales." Try: ✅ "Experienced relationship builder skilled in consultative sales and market expansion." 3️⃣ Expand Your Network & Learn From Insiders Changing careers isn’t just about applying online—it’s about getting in front of the right people. ✅ Action Step: Connect with professionals in your target field and request informational interviews. 📩 Example message: "Hi [Name], I’m exploring a career transition into [Industry] and really admire your experience at [Company]. Would you be open to a quick chat about your journey and insights?" 4️⃣ Gain Targeted Experience (Without Starting Over) The biggest fear in career pivots? “Do I have to start from scratch?” The answer: No. ✅ Action Step: Look for ways to gain relevant experience while still in your current role: ✔️ Take on cross-functional projects ✔️ Volunteer for industry-related work ✔️ Freelance or take short-term contracts 💡 Example: If you’re transitioning into marketing, start by managing internal communications or social media for a nonprofit. 5️⃣ Be Ready to Tell Your Career Pivot Story Hiring managers will ask: “Why are you making this change?” You need a clear, compelling answer. ✅ Action Step: Craft a confident pivot story that focuses on why this shift makes sense and how your skills align. 📌 Formula: ➡ Past: What you’ve done so far ➡ Present: Why you’re making this change ➡ Future: How your skills translate & add value 💡 Example: "After years in operations, I realized my passion lies in product management—solving customer pain points and driving innovation. My experience in process optimization and stakeholder management gives me a strong foundation, and I’m excited to bring these skills to a product-focused role." Making a career pivot is challenging—but absolutely possible with the right approach. 💬 Have you ever pivoted careers? What worked best for you? Share your experience below! 👇

Ever felt like your career journey isn’t quite adding up? Just yesterday, I spoke with someone who spent over a decade in a PSU, followed by a full-time MBA. Like many, he expected this major qualification shift to open new doors. But despite doing well, the roles he landed post-MBA didn’t align with what he truly wanted. I see this often—people put their hearts into building a better career, but the next step doesn’t match their ambitions. When people reach out to me for career advice, I notice a common theme. The issue isn’t in their qualifications or experience—it’s in how their story is told. The dots don’t connect, the narrative isn’t clear, and it’s hard to see how their past leads to where they want to go. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many professionals, especially during transitions, face this lack of clarity. Here are a few tips to realign your career narrative: 1️⃣ 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 Reflect on the bigger picture. What’s the narrative of your career? It’s not just a list of roles but a series of experiences that lead somewhere. How does each chapter contribute to who you are today and where you want to go next? 2️⃣ 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 Titles and responsibilities are important, but they don’t tell the whole story. Focus on the skills you’ve gained. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦? These transferable skills matter across industries—make them stand out. 3️⃣ 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 What are your core strengths? Competencies—like leadership, critical thinking, and innovation—are what drive performance. Be clear about these and make sure they shine in your CV and conversations. 4️⃣ 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐕 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 Your CV shouldn’t just be a record of the past. It’s a bridge between where you’ve been and where you’re headed. Tailor it to the role you’re seeking, and clearly show how your experience makes you the best fit. 5️⃣ 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 Clarity starts with knowing where you want to go. Often, it’s not the CV that’s the problem—it’s not having a clear vision of your next step. The clearer your goal, the easier it is to craft your story. Remember, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲. The story you tell should not only reflect where you’ve been but also where you’re headed—and, more importantly, where you want to go, with 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞. What story is your career telling? #CareerShifts #CareerDevelopment #ContinuousLearning #GrowthMindset

Career pivots at the senior executive level require more than experience—they demand the ability to translate your leadership skills into new industries or roles. If you're navigating this transition, here’s how to position yourself for success: 🔍 Identify Transferable Skills Start by isolating the core leadership skills you've mastered. Strategic thinking, operational excellence, change management, and stakeholder engagement are valuable across industries. Align these strengths with what your target industry prioritizes. 🗣️ Bridge the Language Gap Every industry has its own language. Research how your target sector talks about challenges and success. Replace industry-specific jargon with universal leadership terms that resonate in your new field. ⚡ Highlight Adaptability and Learning Agility Senior roles in new industries often require quick learning and adaptability. Share examples where you led through market shifts, integrated new technologies, or managed cross-functional teams—proving your capacity to thrive in unfamiliar environments. 🏆 Showcase Relevant Achievements Select accomplishments that demonstrate impact aligned with your new goals. Led digital transformation? That’s relevant to tech-driven industries. Scaled operations globally? That’s valuable in any growth-focused sector. Frame your results in a way that speaks to future employers’ pain points. 🚀 Craft a Forward-Looking Narrative Your story should connect past success with future potential. Communicate how your experience equips you to solve challenges in this new space. Phrases like, “My experience driving operational excellence positions me to...” help bridge the gap. A successful pivot isn’t about starting over—it’s about leveraging your leadership in new and meaningful ways. For those who’ve made a successful transition, what worked for you? Let’s share insights below! 👇 #careers #executivecareers #jobsearch

Considering a Career Transition? Doing this one thing can make the difference between being overlooked or being selected for an interview and landing an offer. ✅ Be the obvious choice – Don’t assume recruiters will connect the dots. They’re often scanning for an exact title match. Your job? Bridge the gap for them. Translate your past experience into the language of your target role so they see you as a natural fit. Example:  Transition from a Project Manager → Product Manager Let’s say you’ve been a Project Manager for years but want to move into a Product Manager role. A recruiter or hiring manager might not immediately see the connection because they’re looking for candidates with direct Product Management titles. Instead of listing: ❌ “Managed project timelines, budgets, and stakeholder communications.” Reframe it to match Product Management language: ✅ “Led cross-functional teams to deliver customer-focused solutions, prioritizing features based on business impact and user needs.” Why this works: “Led cross-functional teams” aligns with how product managers work across engineering, design, and marketing. “Customer-focused solutions” signals an understanding of product development, not just project execution. “Prioritizing features based on business impact and user needs” shows a product mindset—something critical for a PM role. ✨ Bonus: 📎📄 Attached is an in-depth example of how to identify your transferable skills and effectively highlight them as relevant experience. This can be a tool that assists you with your resume, interviewing and negotiating. 💡 Need guidance? Assisting clients with career pivots and transitions is something I excel at. Plus - I’ve successfully navigated several transitions in my own career, so I’ve lived it. Let’s connect! #CareerChange #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #CareerTransition #Laidoff #CareerDevelopment #CareerGrowth #JobSeeker #CareerPivot

Making a career pivot can be exciting, but let’s be honest—it’s not always an easy sell in an interview. Hiring teams may worry that you’re not fully committed to this new path or might leave if it doesn’t feel like the perfect fit. You’ll likely face tough questions like: "Why are you interested in this job? Most of your career has been in XYZ field." The key is to show them that your pivot is intentional, well-thought-out, and valuable to them. Here’s how to make your case: 𝟭. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Show how you’ve gone beyond your primary role to develop relevant skills. For example: If you’re in Sales and pivoting to Content Writing, share how you volunteered to write blogs for your company and provide specific examples. 𝟮. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 Talk about how you’ve proactively built skills outside of work. For example, if you managed social media for a professional organization, explain how it helped you learn digital marketing and SEO. 𝟯. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Let them see how this role aligns with your passions. Explain how related projects or activities energize you and give you purpose. What’s pulling you toward this pivot? What’s lighting you up about this role? 𝟰. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 Help them connect the dots. If you’re moving from Marketing to HR, highlight how your strengths in communication, conflict resolution, or technology align with their job requirements. 𝟱. 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 Share the effort you’ve put into preparing for this pivot: What courses, certifications, or workshops have you completed? What new knowledge or skills have you gained? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - BONUS IDEAS! 𝟲. 𝗗𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Share how you’ve interviewed people in the field or researched the role to understand what it takes to succeed. 𝟳. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 Explain your willingness to put in extra effort during the learning curve. Will you stay late, come in early, or study at home to get up to speed quickly? 𝟴. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 Position your previous job duties, problem-solving skills, or customer/vendor expertise as unique advantages you bring to this role. 𝟵. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁 Let them know how proud you are that you are making this move. Own it and celebrate it! Your job in the interview is to show them you’ve done the work, you’ve thought it through, and you’re ready to add value.

Most interview candidates don't get rejected for lack of potential. They get passed over because their answers are vague, too long, or disconnected from business impact. They describe activity when hiring managers are looking for judgment, action, results, and fit. The difference usually comes down to structure. That is why I recommend STAR-T: 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿. The last step is the one most people skip, and it is the one that actually earns offers. Transfer shows you did your homework, understand the business, and can connect what you have done to what they need. One of my marketing students used it to frame an internship project where registrations were stalling. She didn't just say she helped increase registrations by 27%; she explained what she learned and how she would apply it to a prospective employer. She landed a position. That is the difference between narrating your past and selling your judgment. STAR-T is not just for interviews either. It sharpens your LinkedIn About section, tightens resume bullets, and makes cover letters land harder. The goal is always the same: help people see how you think, how you work, and why that matters to them. I put together a one-pager about the STAR-T Method that includes a real example. Save it and share it with someone who would benefit from it. What's the one thing you wish candidates understood before they interviewed with you?

Your skills transfer perfectly. But nobody's buying it. Someone recently asked me how to convince others their skills can transfer. (And if you're in the geoscience job search, you may be having this experience right now.) I gave them a general answer, but it's been bothering me. Because HAVING transferable skills isn't the problem. The problem? Communicating them in a way that lands - with the right person. Every successful career transition I've coached has one thing in common: they found that one advocate. Not five. Not ten. One person who saw their value and was willing to listen to their story. How do you find that person? And more importantly, how do you get them to see what you see? It starts with two things: 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 Stop talking about what you did. Start talking about what they need. Focus forward, not backward. Moving into A&D? Your technical skills matter, but only in the frame of your integration skills with a financial bent. The vocabulary changes. The focus shifts. You need to speak their language, not yours. This isn't just about swapping buzzwords. It's about understanding what keeps them up at night and positioning your experience as the solution. So first, do some research in this space. Read, analyze, talk to people, think about how you would explain where you fit in their narrative. Then reframe. Make the translation. Show them the value only you can bring. And while you're doing this research and reframing: 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 Your advocate isn't just someone who likes you. They're someone who finds value in what you bring AND is willing to share their resources, make introductions, and vouch for you. How do you find them? Start with research conversations. Every informational interview serves two purposes: learning the landscape and testing whether this person could become your champion. If you two click, build the professional relationship through conversation. Another win: These research conversations naturally reveal the language and pain points you need for the reframe. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 Sometimes, no matter what you do, someone won't see your value. That's fine. Move on. The difference between those who successfully transition careers and those who don't? The successful ones kept searching until they found their advocate. Who was the advocate that changed your career trajectory?