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How does one navigate pivoting into a new career sector that requires specialized skills? What methods should someone use to describe their transferable skills??
How does one navigate pivoting into a new career sector that requires specialized skills? What methods should someone use to describe their transferable skills?
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Maht’s Answer
Job postings for this role usually list the skills you need. Check out the specific software or platforms they mention. Spend just 10 minutes exploring them to see what you can learn quickly. This helps you answer, "How familiar are you with this app?"
If there's a skill you don't know yet, think about how fast you could learn the basics. This shows you can answer, "How quickly can you learn to do the job?"
Reflect on the skills you've developed so far. Picture a team made up entirely of people with your skills tackling this new role. What unique insights or critiques could you offer about the job or tasks? This helps you answer, "What can you do that other candidates might not?"
As a learning designer for a language app, transitioning from 15 years of teaching, I shared in my interview what I felt was lacking in app learning compared to classroom experiences. It was a fun and honest moment!
If there's a skill you don't know yet, think about how fast you could learn the basics. This shows you can answer, "How quickly can you learn to do the job?"
Reflect on the skills you've developed so far. Picture a team made up entirely of people with your skills tackling this new role. What unique insights or critiques could you offer about the job or tasks? This helps you answer, "What can you do that other candidates might not?"
As a learning designer for a language app, transitioning from 15 years of teaching, I shared in my interview what I felt was lacking in app learning compared to classroom experiences. It was a fun and honest moment!
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Zara,
How easy or difficult it is to pivot into a new career depends on your current career and the one you want to pivot to. If you are a lawyer but you want to be a dentist, all the transferable skills will not get you a job.
You need to have a look at your current career, your education, the skills you picked up on the way and compare it to the career you want to get into.
Are they similar? Can the difference be made up taking a course or two? Or is it more? How long would it take to acquire those additional skills? Would an employer possibly pay for it?
I would recommend that you talk to people who are in the career you want to have and people who hire in that sector. You can use LinkedIn to find some people in that industry if you don't know anyone personally. Ask for an informational interview and an honest evaluation of your prospects and what's missing.
Prepare a CV that emphasizes the skills you could still use in the new career. If you are or want to be in a "portfolio career", work on a portfolio to show off your skills.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
How easy or difficult it is to pivot into a new career depends on your current career and the one you want to pivot to. If you are a lawyer but you want to be a dentist, all the transferable skills will not get you a job.
You need to have a look at your current career, your education, the skills you picked up on the way and compare it to the career you want to get into.
Are they similar? Can the difference be made up taking a course or two? Or is it more? How long would it take to acquire those additional skills? Would an employer possibly pay for it?
I would recommend that you talk to people who are in the career you want to have and people who hire in that sector. You can use LinkedIn to find some people in that industry if you don't know anyone personally. Ask for an informational interview and an honest evaluation of your prospects and what's missing.
Prepare a CV that emphasizes the skills you could still use in the new career. If you are or want to be in a "portfolio career", work on a portfolio to show off your skills.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP