Understanding your why

Before you start thinking about the "how," it's important to reflect on the "why." What’s driving your desire for a new industry or role? Is there a specific team or project that inspired you? Does the industry spark your curiosity or passion? Or are you craving work that feels more meaningful and aligned with your values?

Mapping your transferable skills to your target industry

One of the biggest misconceptions about industry switching is that you're starting from scratch. You're not! Let's break down how skills from different sectors translate:

From education to corporate:

• Project management (lesson planning becomes project planning)
• Performance analysis (student assessment becomes KPI tracking)
• Stakeholder management (parents and administrators become clients and executives)
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Training and development expertise

From retail to tech:

• Customer experience expertise
• Problem-solving under pressure
• Team leadership and coordination
• Sales and persuasion skills
• Operational efficiency knowledge

From finance to creative industries:

• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Client relationship management
• Data-driven decision making
• Strategic planning abilities

Building industry-specific experience while employed

You don't need to quit your current job to start gaining relevant experience. Here's how to build credibility in your target industry:

1. Take on projects in your current role

•  If you're in HR wanting to move into tech, volunteer for digital transformation projects
•  If you're in operations eyeing marketing, offer to contribute to your company's marketing initiatives
• Look for opportunities where your current role intersects with your desired industry

Secondments can be a great opportunity to help you explore new areas or gain different experiences. Essentially, a secondment is when you temporarily move into another role within the organisation, giving you the chance to develop new skills, broaden your perspective, and expand your network.

2. Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to bridge the gap when transitioning into a new industry. It allows you to build relevant experience, showcase your skills in a new context, and expand your network, all while making a positive impact.

 For example, if transitioning from corporate to nonprofit:

• Join a nonprofit board
• Offer consulting in your area of expertise
• Lead fundraising campaigns using your business skills

3. Think about side projects with purpose 

Side projects with purpose can be a powerful way to showcase your skills and passion for a new industry. They not only help you build credibility but also demonstrate initiative and creativity to potential employers.

• Create a portfolio of relevant work
• Start a blog about your target industry
• Develop case studies solving real industry problems

Building your industry network from scratch

Networking during a career switch takes a slightly different approach, but it can open doors you didn’t even know were there. Here’s how to build connections that count:

1. Get to know the industry

• Follow key industry leaders on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to newsletters to stay updated
• Join professional associations relevant to your target field

1. Build connections with purpose

• Reach out to others who have successfully switched into the industry
• Look for people in hybrid roles bridging your current and target industries
• Engage with content from potential colleagues or companies of interest

1. Start conversations with informational interviews
   Try reaching out with a message like:
   "Hi [Name], I noticed you transitioned from [your industry] to [target industry]. I'm planning a similar move and would love to learn from your experience. Would you be open to a 20-minute virtual coffee chat?"

Make upskilling work for your career change

You don’t need to learn everything under the sun—focus on the skills that will make the biggest impact in your target industry. Here’s how to upskill strategically:

You don’t need to learn everything under the sun—focus on the skills that will make the biggest impact in your target industry. Here’s how to upskill strategically:

1. Master the must-have technical skills

• Find out which tools are most-used in the industry you’re aiming for
• Start with foundational certifications to build confidence
• Explore free courses from trusted sources like Google Digital Garage (great for marketing)

1. Get to know the industry inside out

• Take online courses tailored to your target industry
• Earn certifications that are highly valued in the industry
• Attend webinars or workshops to deepen your expertise and meet industry professionals

1. Put your skills into action

• Apply what you’ve learned to real-world projects
• Document your progress and growth along the way
• Share your insights on LinkedIn or in relevant industry communities

Crafting your transition story

Employers need to understand why your industry switch makes sense. Here's how to frame your narrative:

Making your move 

See it as an opportunity, not a challenge!

Switching industries takes time, patience, and a bit of planning, but with a clear understanding of your transferable skills, a solid network, and the right learning path, you’ll be on track to succeed.

Your experience from your current industry isn’t a limitation, it’s a strength. You bring fresh ideas, diverse experiences, and proven adaptability. These qualities are more valuable than you may think.