Changing career: show your transferable skills

Employers may not recognise specialist language from another sector. Describe the underlying skill, the situation in which you used it and the result. Managing a busy service, resolving risk or improving a process can transfer across many industries.

Study several vacancies in the target field and note recurring requirements. Match these with evidence from paid work, volunteering, study and personal projects.

Separate skills you already have from knowledge you need to acquire. A short course, portfolio project, professional conversation or temporary assignment can provide useful evidence without requiring a complete return to education.

Present the career change as a considered move towards the new field. Employers need a clear reason for the transition and confidence that you understand the work.