You’re thinking about switching careers — but your head is full of doubts.
“I’ve never done that before.”
“Do I even have the right skills?”
Here’s the truth: you have more job-ready skills than you think. You just need to know how to identify them, reframe them, and show them off with confidence.
In fact, a recent survey found that 69% of U.S. professionals have changed or considered changing careers in the past year.
This guide to restarting your career will walk you through how to find transferable skills, match them to your new career goals, and make your experience work for you — no matter where you’re starting from.
Step 1: Reflect on What You’ve Done (Not Just Your Job Title)
Think about your past roles — including freelance work, side hustles, volunteering, school projects, or parenting. Forget the titles. Focus on what you actually did.
Ask yourself:
- What problems did I solve?
- When did people come to me for help?
- What processes did I improve?
Tip: Open a blank doc or use Notion to create a “skills tracker.” You’ll use this to list everything you’ve done — no filtering yet.
Step 2: Spot the Skills Beneath the Tasks
Every task you’ve done points to a skill. Taught a class? That’s communication. Ran a small shop? That’s customer service, time management, and budgeting.
Here are some transferable skills examples to look for:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Project management
- Research
- Technical tools (Excel, CRMs, Canva, etc.)
Look at your tasks and label the skills underneath them. Be generous — this is not the time to downplay what you know.
Step 3: Match Your Skills to New Career Paths
Once you’ve listed your skills, start mapping them to the jobs you're eyeing. You’ll likely find surprising overlaps.
Use job descriptions to identify:
- Repeated keywords and phrases
- Responsibilities that align with your past work
- Soft skills the role demands
Step 4: Reframe Your Resume Skills
Now that you’ve identified your strengths, it’s time to rewrite your resume. But here’s the trick: use language that matches the job you want, not just the one you had.
Instead of:
“Answered phones at front desk”
Try:
“Managed high-volume client communication and resolved inquiries efficiently”
Use job listings as a cheat sheet to guide your phrasing. Highlight resume skills that employers already value.
Step 5: Fill in the Gaps With Online Learning
Found a job you’re excited about, but missing one or two skills? That’s totally normal. The good news: you can learn them — fast.
Here are beginner-friendly course options:
Effective Communication
Whether you are preparing for interviews, working in a team, or navigating a career change, clear communication makes everything easier. The Effective Communication course on Skill Success is a quick and practical guide to help you express yourself better — at work and in life.
Why this course stands out:
- Perfect for beginners, job seekers, and anyone who wants to improve their soft skills
- Teaches how to use open-ended questions, clarify expectations, and reduce misunderstandings
- Includes techniques like paraphrasing and empathic responses to handle tough conversations
This is one of those life-and-career courses you’ll come back to over and over again.
Outstanding Customer Service - Your Ultimate Guide
Great service is often what makes one business stand out from the next — and the same goes for professionals. If you're looking to strengthen your people skills, Outstanding Customer Service – Your Ultimate Guide will show you how to create positive, memorable customer experiences from day one.
Why this course stands out:
- Designed for career changers, employees, and business owners alike
- Helps you boost referrals, keep loyal customers, and manage difficult situations calmly
- Teaches real-world tactics like fast problem-solving, empathy, and avoiding common service mistakes
If your next role involves talking to people, this course helps you make every interaction count.
Project Management: Seven Reasons Why Projects May Fail
Projects do not fail overnight — the warning signs are always there. The key is knowing what to look for. In Project Management: Seven Reasons Why Projects May Fail, you will learn how to identify early red flags and take corrective action before things fall apart.
Why this course stands out:
- A solid starting point for aspiring project managers or career shifters entering team leadership roles
- Breaks down 7 common reasons projects fail — from poor communication to lack of executive support
- Offers practical solutions you can apply to keep your work on track
This is not just about managing tasks — it is about protecting your work, your team, and your future success.
These are all designed to help you present your skills with confidence — even if you’re switching industries for the first time.
Step 6: Practice Talking About Your Skills
You’ve got the skills — now own them.
Practice answers to common questions like:
- “Tell me about yourself”
- “Why are you changing careers?”
- “What strengths do you bring to this role?”
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to show how you applied your skills in real situations.
Step 7: Keep Track, Update Often
Your transferable skills will evolve over time — and that’s a good thing. Set up a system in Notion or Google Docs to track:
- New skills learned
- Certifications earned
- Projects completed
- Feedback received
That way, you’ll always be ready to apply, pivot, or pitch yourself when new opportunities pop up.
Build and Organise Your Skills (Recommended Tools)
Want to go deeper? These platforms help you build, organise, and apply your transferable skills for real-world jobs:
- Careerist – Skill-building and job prep for tech roles, even with no experience
- Datacamp – Learn data skills, analytics, and beginner coding through guided projects
- Notion – Use it to build your skills tracker, job hunt planner, or career journal
For additional insights, read this article on How to Leverage Transferable Skills.
Key Takeaways: You Are More Qualified Than You Realise
Changing careers can feel like starting over — but it is really about carrying your skills forward.
You are not behind. You are bringing years of experience — just in a different form.
So take inventory. Reframe what you already know. And use these transferable skills examples to step confidently into your next role.
You have what it takes — and now, you have a plan.
Ready to Turn Your Skills Into a New Career?
Get unlimited access to thousands of beginner-friendly courses with the Skill Success All Access Pass — from resume writing to interview prep, Excel to public speaking. It is everything you need to build confidence and take action, all in one place.
Start your free trial today and take the next step toward your new career with confidence.
