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Leveraging Your Existing Skills to Succeed in a New Industry

Making a career change in your 40s or 50s can feel overwhelming. I know, I’ve been there! After spending decades building expertise in a specific field, the idea of starting fresh in a new industry might leave you questioning whether you have what it takes to succeed. But here’s the good news: you’re not starting from scratch. You have an entire toolkit of valuable skills and experiences that can help you not only make the transition but also thrive in your new career.

Many people in midlife underestimate the power of transferable skills—abilities you’ve crafted and developed in one job or industry that are equally useful in another. While the terminology or job titles might differ, the foundation of what makes you effective at work—problem-solving, leadership, communication, adaptability—remains the same.

Let’s dive into how you can identify, refine, and leverage those existing skills to flourish in your new professional chapter.

Why Transferable Skills Are Key to Success

At its core, transferable skills are competencies you’ve developed that can be applied in a wide range of contexts. These skills are typically not specific to a single industry but are valuable across the board. Skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving are timeless and universal.

Industries evolve and technologies will continue to advance, but businesses will always need strong communicators, effective leaders, and strategic thinkers. And if you’re considering a career change in midlife, chances are you’ve already developed an impressive set of these skills. Despite having this impressive set of skills in your toolkit, the trick now is to understand which of your abilities are transferable and how they can be reframed to fit a new role or industry.

Step 1: Identify Your Transferable Skills

The first step to succeeding in a new industry is identifying the skills that you’ve developed throughout your career. Somewhat surprisingly (to me at least when I went through this the first time), this requires a bit of self-reflection and analysis, so grab a pen and paper (or your favorite note-taking app) and let’s break it down.

Think about your previous jobs and answer the following questions:

  • What tasks did you consistently excel at? Maybe you were always the go-to person for troubleshooting technical problems, or perhaps you thrived in managing large teams and projects.
  • Which parts of your job brought you the most satisfaction? Consider the moments when you felt proud or fulfilled in your career. What were you doing in those moments? This is a real opportunity to reflect and evaluate what parts of your old job that you have the most emotional attachment to, the fondest memories of.
  • What have colleagues, supervisors, or clients praised you for? It’s helpful to recall feedback you’ve received over the years—those compliments can provide insight into your standout abilities. It is very important that you do take the time to reflect on this. Frequently we take for granted the skills we have that others see us as bringing them to our role and they are seen as being tremendously valuable.
  • What challenges have you overcome, and how did you solve them? Problem-solving is an incredibly valuable skill. Reflect on how you’ve approached obstacles in your career and how those solutions could apply to a new role. The value that this reflection and documentation provides is two-fold. In the here and now it will help you in identifying additional transferable skills that you have. The second value-add that this provides is to prepare you for your future job interview. This topic is almost always part of the interview and having thought this through in advance is great!

Let’s say you’ve worked in sales for 20 years. You’ve developed strong negotiation skills, customer relationship management, and the ability to hit sales targets. Those skills are all highly transferable. If you’re moving into project management, for example, negotiation skills are crucial when managing resources and timelines, and customer management is relevant when working with stakeholders.

A visual aid to help you crystallize your thoughts is using a simple Venn diagram (see below). On the left-hand side/circle you list all your unique skills that as a candidate to a potential new role. On the right-hand side/circle you detail out the specific criteria a potential new employer is looking for/requiring.

The intersection of the two circles is for all the skills and attributes that are common to both – the transferable skills that you have! These are the ones that position you well for the new opportunity and obviously, these are the skills that you would highlight in your resume and during the interview process.

Common Transferable Skills:

  • Communication: Whether you’ve presented to a room of executives, written reports, or explained complex concepts to clients, your ability to communicate is invaluable in any industry.
  • Project Management: If you’ve ever coordinated tasks, managed teams, or delivered results on time, you’ve been practicing project management.
  • Problem-Solving: Every industry faces its challenges, and people who can think critically and find solutions are always in demand.
  • Leadership: Even if you weren’t in a formal leadership role, guiding colleagues, mentoring others, or managing a team shows leadership skills.
  • Time Management: Balancing deadlines, multitasking, and prioritizing tasks are essential skills in every field.

At this stage, you should have a good sense of your core skills. You may want to create a mind map or even a skills inventory—a simple list of all your competencies (see below for an example skills inventory). Group them by themes, such as leadership, technical, communication, etc. This will give you a clearer picture of how to position yourself as you move forward.

For additional information on identifying your transferable skills:

Step 2: Research the New Industry

Once you’ve identified your skills, it’s time to understand the industry you want to move into. The goal here is to see how your current abilities align with what’s needed in the new field. If there are gaps, don’t worry, we’ll discuss how to bridge them in a little while.

Start by looking at job postings for roles in your desired industry. Read the descriptions carefully and make note of the qualifications and skills they’re looking for. This is crucial and sometimes you must “read between the lines” to parse what they are looking for. And sometimes, as you critically evaluate the job posting, it becomes clear to you that the company may not be all that clear in their own mind as to what they are looking for.

That being said, for those job postings that do have clarity in them regarding the skills and qualifications they are looking for, you’ll likely find a lot of overlap between what’s required and what you already bring to the table.

How to Conduct Industry Research:

  1. Job Listings: Websites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed are your best friends for this step. Search for roles in the industry that catch your eye and look for patterns in the skills they require.
  2. Networking: Reach out to people who are already working in the field. You don’t have to know them personally; even connecting with industry professionals on LinkedIn and asking for a quick informational interview can provide valuable insights.
  3. Professional Associations: Many industries have professional organizations or associations that offer resources, training, and networking opportunities. Joining these groups can help you gain a deeper understanding of your new field.
  4. Industry News: Follow industry-specific news outlets, blogs, or podcasts to stay updated on trends, challenges, and opportunities. The more you immerse yourself in the new industry, the easier it will be to understand how your skills apply.

For additional information on researching new industries:

Step 3: Bridge the Skill Gap

It’s normal to find some gaps when you’re transitioning into a new industry, especially if it’s something very different from your current field. Don’t worry. You have tremendous skills you are bringing to the new job you are looking for. Sell the positive, believe in the possible.

However, these gaps are usually easy to bridge with some targeted effort.

Here’s how to bridge the gaps:

  • Take Online Courses: Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX offer affordable courses on almost every topic imaginable. Whether you need to learn digital marketing, brush up on Excel skills, or dive into project management methodologies, there’s a course for that. These platforms also offer certifications that you can add to your resume.
  • Attend Workshops: Industry-specific workshops or boot camps can provide a crash course in essential skills. These are great for more hands-on learning and offer networking opportunities.
  • Get Certified: Depending on your new field, you may want to pursue a certification that adds credibility. For instance, if you’re moving into IT, a CompTIA or Google certification could be valuable.
  • Volunteer or Freelance: If you’re able, consider doing some volunteer or freelance work in your new industry. This gives you practical experience and helps you build your portfolio in a low-risk way.

The idea is not to go back to school for a full degree (unless you really want to), but to target the skills that will round out your existing expertise.

A great resource for more information on bridging your skill gap:

Step 4: Translate Your Experience for a New Audience

Now that you’ve identified your transferable skills and filled in any gaps, the next step is to effectively communicate your experience in a way that speaks to your new industry. You’re likely competing with people who have spent years in the field, so the key here is to show that your experience is not only relevant but an asset.

Here’s how to translate your experience:

  1. Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to reflect the new industry’s language. For example, if you’re moving from an HR role into marketing, emphasize your experience managing relationships, coordinating events, or developing communication strategies—skills that overlap with marketing.
  2. Rewrite Your Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell a compelling story. Explain how your career trajectory has prepared you for this new opportunity. Highlight the parallels between your past work and the requirements of the job you’re applying for.
  3. Practice Your Pitch: Whether you’re at a networking event or an interview, be ready to explain how your previous experience is relevant to the new role. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. For example, if you’re transitioning into a project management role, talk about a time you successfully led a project, managed a budget, or met a tight deadline.
  • Jobscan – How to Make a Career Change (Robert Henderson)

Step 5: Leverage Your Network

Your network is an invaluable resource when making a career change. In fact, networking is often one of the most effective ways to find a job in a new industry. Your existing contacts can introduce you to people in your desired field or even provide recommendations.

Here’s how to expand your network:

  • Reach Out to Current Contacts: Let your current network know that you’re transitioning into a new industry. You never know who might have a connection or advice that can help.
  • Attend Networking Events: Go to industry-specific conferences, seminars, or local meetups. This is a great way to meet people in your desired field and start building those connections.
  • Engage on Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn are fantastic for connecting with professionals in your new industry. Join groups, participate in discussions, and engage with people who post relevant content.

For an example of what this looks like when you are leveraging your LinkedIn presence:

Step 6: Adopt a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is essential for anyone changing careers, especially in midlife. This mindset revolves around the belief that skills and abilities can be developed through effort and learning. Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, you’ll see them as opportunities for growth.

In a new industry, you’ll inevitably face moments where you feel out of your depth. The trick is to embrace those moments and stay adaptable. With a growth mindset, you’ll not only be able to learn and adapt faster but also gain confidence in your ability to thrive in a new environment.

Step 7: Take Action and Apply

At some point, preparation must turn into action. You can research, take courses, and network for months, but the only way to truly transition into a new industry is to take the leap. Start applying for roles, reaching out to potential employers, and getting your foot in the door.

Focus on small wins. Landing a job interview, making a new contact, or completing a course in your desired field are all steps in the right direction. The more momentum you build, the closer you’ll get to your goal.

Conclusion: You’ve Got What It Takes

Transitioning to a new industry in midlife can feel like a big leap, but with the right strategy, it’s entirely doable. By leveraging your existing skills, filling in the gaps with targeted learning, and effectively communicating your experience, you can position yourself as a strong candidate in any field.

The key is to trust that you have the foundation you need to succeed. So go ahead—embrace the challenge, take the leap, and step into the next exciting chapter of your career.