Transferable skills are those soft skills which one has got to learn in his current organization and would be beneficial for his next job. They include communication skills, how to deal with people, problem solving, leadership and many more. When you decide to switch your job, you need to recognize your transferable skills, and highlight them in your resume or when attending the interview.

Identity Your Transferable Skills

How to identify your transferable skills

• Evaluate what skills you require

When you decide for a career change, go through the job profiles of the new occupation. Find out the requirements of the employer? What educational background and skills do they look in the candidate who applies for the job? Go through the blogs which will guide you throughout what additional qualities you would require for the job position.

• Evaluate what you skills you possess currently

After evaluating what skills you require, find out what skills you possess. It's not necessary that you should possess all the skills, which are required. Evaluate your complete work experience and jot down the points, which include transferable skills. The list should have your everyday responsibilities, allotted projects to you, and different tasks you accomplished in your previous organization. Then segregate and find out what all skills were needed for completing these duties. After that you can just judge yourself by the skills you possess and the skills the future company requires. The skills which are required that already possess them are the transferable skills of yours.

Where can you find transferable skills

• Job opening advertisements

On the job portals, you can search for jobs and check, whether you have any matching transferable skills. It is not necessary that you should have all of them, but find out of few of them, which would be relevant to your job which you are applying for.

• Online tools

There are plenty of online tools on which you can search for transferable skills, which are required for a certain job position. So check whether the skills you possess match with the skills required for the job.

• Networking in the industry

You can discuss with the people who are working within the field which you wish to work. One can also go through the employer website, attend various industry events, read trade blogs, which would give you a brief of what skills are needed and suitable for a certain job.

How can one utilize his or her transferable skills

You can analyze your transferable skills and mention them in your cover letter or resume. While attending the interview, you need to elaborate your transferable skills with certain examples of how these skills were utilized. The employers believe in the previous experiences in which you explain how you used those skills rather than just general talks. It is suggested by career advisers that one should use “skills resume” or “ functional resume” when they are depending on their transferable skills instead of experience relevant to the new job.

Display your transferable skills

Be confident and make them believe that you are suitable for the career change. This will only take place if you are successful at displaying your transferable skills. Mentioning them in your resume is beneficial as the employer can just go through the keywords of the transferable skills. You can mention your transferable skills as the key skills in the resume.

So while you are giving a thought for a career change, it is very essential to identify your transferable skills suitable for the career you wish to choose. Transferable skills commonly known as the key skills play an important role in the resume of a candidate.

When you are planning to transition to a new career, you have to draft a cover letter. The purpose of this cover letter is to demonstrate how your transferable skills can go with the new profession. However, convincing an employer to hire you, especially when you are shifting a profession is not easy. You have to take a different approach and perspective to draft it.

Your only aim when drafting a career change cover letter should be to convince the would-be employer to hire you. This crucial document gives an apt explanation to the recruiter regarding points such as why you have opted for a career change. Along with the relevant resume, cover letter also highlights your transferable skills that make you suitable for the position. These points may not be reflected in your resume, and hence, your cover letter must be written with utmost care.

Cover Letter

Following points must be taken into consideration while writing a cover letter for career change:

#01. Opening Paragraph 

Address the career change cover letter to a specific person 

The cover letter must be addressed to the concerned person in a formal manner. Starting the letter by addressing it to a  specific person increases your chances of being noticed by the recruiter. Personalizing the letter can be an effective way to start your document. You can always get authenticate information for the same on the company's site.

Mention the job profile you are applying for 

The candidate must clearly mention the job position he/she is interested in and also give details about how he/she came to know about the job opening. Add reference of the person who gave you the information. It could be consultancy or any on-line job portal.

Sell yourself 

Since you are going through a career change, it is advisable not to mention previous work experience if they are irrelevant to the new job profile. Emphasize the transferable skills that can support you in the job. This will increase your chances of being noticed by the employer.

#02. Middle Paragraph (body)

Justify why you are changing your career to a specific field 

There will definitely be a question on why you are choosing to apply for this particular job opening. Mention your relevant desires and how your experience can assist the organization.

Give a brief description about your experience and skills pertaining to the job

You can mention your previous work if it is related to the position. Also, you can talk about abilities in completing projects within deadlines and your strong network that may be helpful to the organization.

Assist the employer in visualizing why you are the best candidate for the position 

You can include points regarding your background, experience and skills that will be useful in growing the business of the organization. Emphasize on how your experience can be effective in bringing positive outcomes and better results for the firm.

#03. Closing Paragraph

Thank the concerned person 

At the end of your cover letter, do not forget to thank the recruiter for taking out time to read your application and reviewing your resume.

Actuate the next move of the employer 

Take steps to initiate further steps from the hiring manager by adding proactive sentences. Mention you are open to any other questions and are willing to hold additional discussions for the same.

Sign off in a formal style 

Last but not the least, mention your full name, contact details, specifically your phone number and email id where the recruiter can get in touch with you.

Every individual has different reasons for a career change. It can be the changing market conditions, the individual's urge to grow more dynamically or any other personal reasons. To make the potential employer take interest in you, it is essential that you write an appropriate cover letter. It will help in conveying relevant credentials, your transferable skills and how passionate you are about your new career.

There comes a time when ones get bored doing the same job repeatedly and the person start experiencing a strong urge to switch profession. However, what stands as an obstacle in the transition is the questions you have to answer for career change. Since you are starting fresh, employers are concerned about lack of experience and commitment towards the new field. That's where convincing the interviewer that you have made a right decision gets difficult. The best way to relieve employers of their concern is to be ready with answers that can explain your career change decision clearly. Go through the below points to mitigate employers' worries. You can also include your own interpretations, circumstances, and phrases that would relate your situation.

Prepare well for the interview

Before you think about a career change, spend maximum time and effort looking into and finding out about the profession in detail. Discuss about the career with those who are in this field. It will help to gain practical knowledge, and you shall understand how to make the professional switch. The career change which you have made previously is revealed in your resume. Doesn't matter whether the switch is current or in the past, disclose the interviewer the work you did and why that decision of your career change does make a sense for the future.

Show that you are flexible and easily adaptable to new conditions

Explain to the interviewer, the work you did in the previous job and the skills you have gained. For instance, if you were a part of a project in which you gained understanding as a team player, describe how the teamwork made you a better person. If you have supervised others, then speak about monitoring and observation skills. Other skills such as correspondence, critical thinking and data investigation may also be very valuable in your new work profile. Go through the job description you want and make a list of all the matching characteristics and skills you presently possess. Be prepared for a situation during the interview in which you have to discuss about how your experience can be beneficial for your current job applied.

Future oriented

The current situation in the job market provokes individuals to think about a career switch. Upgradation in technology and failing businesses can sometimes make a new career. The most ideal approach to maintain your professional life intact is to move forward. You may also think that it is necessary to take a reverse step when you are thinking of changing profession. You should be able to make the interviewer aware that all of your movements related to career were done deliberately, and you firmly trust that the outcome will be in your favor. Talking about these nuances in an interview enables the company recruiter to understand that you have made these steps for a strong purpose.

“Change” as an opportunity

One of the major ways to succeed in a career change interview is to promote your capacity to adjust to change effortlessly. Employers usually don't prefer people who are hesitant to change; they are looking for candidates who consider 'change' as an opportunity. Their are many high paying career opportunities as well if you adapt it easily. Candidates who are adaptable and versatile are esteemed in the workforce. If the previous career change has occurred several years ago, discuss about the positive aspects of focusing on the new profession.

Keep the following points in mind while attending a career change interview. Show that you are enthusiastic about the job and ready to put in all the efforts to achieve success. Also, address their worries about your capabilities and dedication by stressing why the change makes well for your skills, passion, and goals.

Teaching is a noble profession. Its helps in making professionals, an abled society, and a strong economy for the nation. It also helps people to pick the right type of career matching to their skills and interest. As a teacher, you can help many to take up a profession that suits their caliber. Your teaching abilities can help to build a good society and economy of the country. After all, it is teachers who make engineers, doctors, actors, singers, dancers, scientists, and many other professionals.

However, despite enjoying the teaching profession, it has been noticed that many teachers are leaving their jobs and opting for a change. The reasons for such an act could be several. It is understood that humans are more inclined towards a change, be it in personal lives or profession. This may happen to any one even after having a successful teaching career.
Something that is good about teaching profession is that teachers can use the same skills for a career change. They can easily get involved in any work environment due to proficiency in written and verbal communication. So if you are a teacher and looking towards a career change, then, please go ahead and set your expectations realistically. You can easily make a smooth transition owing to these skills and qualities:

• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Excellent time management skills that you gained from teaching experience 
• Skilled in communicating with children, adults, and people from different background 
• Outstanding leadership qualities

So, if you want a change in your career, use your teaching skills and experience in a different manner than you were using it in the classroom. This practice will help in finding a suitable career option. Following are some of the careers for which a teacher can opt for:

School Librarian

It will require some additional efforts for learning Library science. If you love children and want to be surrounded by them even in the new job, then this is the best option for you and that too without the need of after hours working as in the teaching job.

School Counselors 

This is another rewarding career for you, especially if you love to work with and for children. In this profession, you can help students and their parents in gaining admission to school and selecting the right course. Of course, you will need to conduct a counseling session first to analyze students' skills and interest.

Teacher Trainer

You can best utilize your teaching experience in training teachers. Since you have already worked as a teacher, there couldn't be another good person than you for the training job. You can even share your real-life experiences with trainees, share your knowledge of how to work on students' strength and weaknesses, and develop an interesting curriculum.

Content writers

You can use your writing skills for generating articles for websites and blogs. Since you already have a fair knowledge of different subjects, you can be a versatile writer. The best part about content writing job is, you can work from home as a freelancer.

Technical writers

To become a technical writer you may need to gain some additional knowledge. Your role will include writing requirements specifications, user guides and manuals for different software or products, which will be used by working individuals or end users.

Writer or editor

You can easily make a transition from teachers' profession to a writer's or editor since publishing industry are always on a hunt for people who can write, edit, and proofread articles. Whether you choose to work with online or offline publication company, you can use your written communication skills and knowledge of English grammar for generating articles for the internet, newspaper, magazines, newsletters, and journals.

In addition to these career change options, there are many other such as sales, management and human resources, non-profit organizations, and government agencies where you can find an employment.

By now, you must have understood that there are many career options available for you than just teaching in a classroom. If you are ready for a change or thinking to switch your profession, don't wait long and try in any one of the careers mentioned above.

Change is a part of life, and it can occur at any point. No matter how carefully you have planned for your career, there comes a time when you feel suffocated from being in the same profession for years. You become restless and experience a deep urge to try your hands on a new career. Many are going through this same feeling. In fact, more than 50% of working professionals in the United States are ready to jump ship. They are eager for a new career that can offer them all the freedom to fulfill their ambitions. However, changing a career at mid-life is not easy. It should provide you for your daily needs, medical, and retirement. If you are desperate to take the leap, you have to look at these top 5 high paying jobs so that your transition doesn't go wrong.

Social Media Manager 

Whether one is a student, or a working person, he or she never fails to spend a few hours either chatting, sharing, or updating their status on the social networking sites. These people may not be a tech-savvy, but they have mastered the usage of social media like a professional due to their addiction to it. They use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram for sharing interesting details or personal things. What they don't understand is, their addiction can give them a lucrative career. Yes! Many companies want people who can use online social media to promote their brand, have real-time conversation with customers, pitch in catchy phrases to attract customers, and manage social media account.


If you have been using social media for sharing stories, facts, opinions, and commenting on tweets and posts, you can become a social media manager. You just need to look at the company's social media strategies and use your creativity for sales and promotion. The annual paycheck you will draw by working as a social media manager in any company will be as high as $74K and as low as $27K, depending on the city and state you are employed in.

Market Research Analyst

If you are bored with the field sales job and want to spend the remaining life working inside an  office, then a market research analyst career is a good option. In fact, this career has taken a boom in the recent years and is projected to grow. All you will need is prior experience in sales and abilities to collect, analyze, and present data, including drafting data reports. In addition, you need to be inquisitive, business-minded, and do things in an ordered and careful way. There are many market research companies that do collect data on consumer products and draft reports that would usually contain projected growth of that particular product for another 5 or ten years and current market scenarios. The generated reports are then sold to manufacturing companies for thousands of dollars.



If you love working neck depth in data, and taking your own decision, then a market research analyst career is a worthy one for you. This career will give you a median salary of $51K annually.

Freelance Writer

As the Internet has become an easy source for gaining information, demand for freelance writers is growing. If you have the flair in you to write unique, genuine, and informative contents for readers, then there is no comparison to freelance writing. The good thing about becoming a freelance writer is, you can work from your home at your own pace and convenience. Moreover, you can work for one or many companies depending on your choice and writing speed. Your writing skills can be used by several organizations who have websites, blogs, and social media accounts. Furthermore, you can start your own blog in any one particular domain you are expert in. Additionally, you can write for magazines, websites, and market research organizations. However, writing to impress readers or provide information on varied topics they are looking for is not easy. You really have to create your own identify in the freelance writing field. How much will you earn depends on your writing skills and the amount of content you can generate in a day.  You can earn either in six figures or be satisfied fetching around $30 K to 80K annually.

Fundraiser

All organizations, be they related to education, healthcare, or non-profit, need funds. Money is the primary need and essential component for them to survive. If you have the skills to scout, locate, identify, and convince prospective donors to contribute, then you can become a fundraiser. Since making people to donate money for a company's cause is not easy, there is no doubt that the job is not going to be an easy walk. You have to be good at sales, administration, and data. Moreover, you must be comfortable in working with volunteers, donors, and local authorities. The job will need you to develop and sustain relationships with people and organizations. In addition, managing database of donors, scouting for prospective donors, and collecting funds will be the regular activities on the job.


As a fundraiser working for a non-profit or any organization, you will earn a median salary of $50 K annually.

Realtor

If sales and networking have been your forte, then a lucrative career as a Realtor is waiting for you. Since homes and offices are the primary necessities of individuals and organizations, there is no death to the real estate industry. There may be a slowdown in the business though, but continuity is guaranteed since this industry takes care of basic needs of both people and companies. You can earn decently by selling residential and commercial properties for real estate companies and individuals. You just need to complete the formalities required for obtaining a license for the profession. With a license to pursue the profession, you can work independently or for real estate agencies. Moreover, you can work as part-time or full-time. Based on your choice of employment, you can earn a minimum median salary of $36K annually.




These are the top 5 paying joys for you if you are trying for a new career. However, before jumping the ship, perform extensive research, analyze your skills and experience, utilize your network, and then take the decision. If you are not careful in making a decision, it will be difficult for you to get back to your previous occupation since you must have already reached your middle age.