Changing career direction
Transferable skills – what actually matters?
Whether you are ready for a change or facing possible retrenchment,
shifting direction often means looking beyond job titles and industries.
Transferable skills are capabilities you carry with you between roles,
showing how you adapt, solve problems, communicate, and deliver results.
When these strengths are identified clearly and linked to what employers
need, it becomes far easier for them to see how your experience applies
to the role you want next.
What exactly is a transferable skill?
A transferable skill is a capability developed in one context that can be
applied effectively in another. Common examples include leadership,
communication, problem solving, and digital literacy. These skills signal
adaptability and are particularly valuable when moving between roles,
industries, or career paths.
Many professionals experience this during periods of technological change.
Skills learned earlier in a career often remain relevant because the core
principles still apply. My knowledge of databases and algorithms, for example,
continues to translate into modern environments such as data analysis,
automation, and the use of Applicant Tracking Systems in recruitment.
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Which transferable skills should you highlight?
Sought after transferable skills include
When changing career direction, focus on skills that move easily between roles and industries. These capabilities are valued by employers regardless of job title and often sit at the centre of selection criteria, even when they are not stated explicitly.
- Problem solving - Identifying issues, weighing options, and developing practical solutions. This can include managing projects, coordinating people or resources, and delivering outcomes when circumstances are complex.
- Time management - Prioritising work, meeting deadlines, and managing competing demands without constant supervision.
- Communication - Explaining ideas clearly in writing and verbally, and adjusting your approach for different audiences.
- Leadership capability - Guiding others towards shared objectives through formal leadership, project coordination, or accountability for results.
- Interpersonal capability - Building trust, working constructively with others, and navigating different personalities, teams, and working environments.
- Technical and digital capability - Using tools, systems, or platforms relevant to the role, and learning new technology when required.
- Strategic awareness - Understanding the broader context of a task, anticipating challenges, and making decisions that support longer term outcomes.
How can a resume highlight transferable skills?
Your CV or resume and cover letter should always be aligned with the role. Even without direct industry experience, you can demonstrate suitability by linking transferable skills to the employer’s selection criteria. Clear examples drawn from previous roles or sectors help show how your experience translates and why you are relevant to the position.
Seven steps to identify relevant transferable skills
Begin with the job rather than your past roles. Identify what the employer is actually hiring for, including what is implied as well as what is stated. Group these requirements into skill themes, map your evidence against each one, and assess which capabilities are most relevant. Ranking your strongest evidence helps you focus your application on the skills that matter most.
1. Start with the job, not your history
Review the job advertisement carefully and identify the behaviours, skills, and outcomes the role depends on. Some will be explicit, while others will appear through phrases such as working autonomously, stakeholder engagement, or delivering results.
2. Group requirements into skill themes
Cluster the employer’s expectations into broader capability areas such as problem solving, communication, leadership, technical knowledge, and organisation. This approach simplifies complex job advertisements and highlights what truly matters.
3. Map your evidence against each theme
List examples from your work, projects, training, or achievements that demonstrate each capability. If you are changing sectors, evidence can also come from contracting, volunteering, study, or community involvement.
4. Test for relevance, not familiarity
Consider which skills actually help address the employer’s needs. The abilities you use most often may not be the ones that matter most for this particular role.
5. Rank your transferable skills
Evaluate each skill using two simple checks:
- Importance to the role - How central is this capability to the employer’s objectives?
- Strength of evidence - How strong is the supporting proof through results, outcomes, or clear examples?
Skills that rank highly on both measures should appear prominently in your CV or resume and cover letter.
6. Pressure test your strongest skills
Confirm that each of your top skills can be supported by a clear example and a measurable outcome. If not, strengthen the evidence or prioritise another capability.
7. Build your application around the strongest skills
Shape your profile, achievements, and cover letter around your most relevant skills so your application reads as focused, credible, and clearly aligned with the role.
When changing career direction, employers are not looking for a perfect match to past job titles. They are looking for credible evidence that your skills translate into the outcomes the role requires.
If you need help with your CV or resume, you view the packages by clicking the buttons below. I'll contact you within 24 hours to work on your CV until you're satisfied with the outcome. Additional services are also available if needed.
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CV or Resume, which should I use?
First job or haven't needed a resume for a long time? Start here.
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Resume - In the Brisbane job market, a resume is usually a concise two to three page document that summarises your skills, education, strengths, and experience. It should focus on what is most relevant to the role, and make it easy for an employer to see why you should be shortlisted.
CV - A CV (curriculum vitae) is most common in academia and research, and in some highly technical fields. It covers similar ground to a resume, but typically includes additional credentials such as publications, presentations, grants, professional affiliations, and referees. The term is Latin for "the course of one’s life".
Not sure? - In parts of Australia, "CV" and "resume" are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing. Always follow the employer’s application instructions, and if the role is important, seek advice so you submit the right document. Choosing the wrong format can cost you an interview.
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Do I need a cover letter?
Resumes or CVs almost always need to be accompanied by one, but what type?
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Purpose of a cover letter - A cover letter tailors your resume or CV to a specific Brisbane role. For many employers, it is the first screening step. If it does not meet expectations, your resume may not be reviewed. It provides a short narrative that links your experience to the employer’s selection criteria.
What to include - Use your cover letter to explain how your skills, experience, and qualifications fit the role, and to demonstrate genuine interest in the organisation. Both the resume or CV and the cover letter exist to market you, so employer needs should always come first.
When a cover letter matters - Each application requires a tailored cover letter. Reusing generic letters is one of the most common reasons candidates fail to reach interview stage.
Online applications - In online systems, the cover letter may appear as a short written statement or eNote. It serves the same purpose, and carries the same weight, as a traditional cover letter.
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LinkedIn and CVs or resumes
Should you consider creating a LinkedIn profile, and why?
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Do I need LinkedIn? - LinkedIn is most relevant for executives, professionals building a career trajectory, and those in sales, marketing, or leadership roles. It is not essential for every general job application, but it becomes increasingly important as seniority increases.
Why LinkedIn matters - LinkedIn is now a key self marketing tool for career focused candidates. A well written profile can attract headhunters, Brisbane based recruiters, and direct approaches from employers. It also supports networking and visibility in ways a resume alone cannot.
Consistency counts - Employers commonly review LinkedIn to sense check a candidate’s background. Your LinkedIn profile should align closely with your CV or resume, as inconsistencies can raise doubts.
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What are your qualifications?
The industries I specialise in, and why I am qualified to help you.
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Professional background - I have worked directly with major organisations in biotech, mining, resources, marketing, HR, and recruitment. Over many years, I have supported applicants pursuing roles across Australia, the UK, and the United States. With a degree in Information Science, I bring a practical understanding of how digital recruitment systems and screening tools operate, and how candidates are assessed within them. I hold dual UK and Australian citizenship with extensive experience across both markets.
Sector experience - My consulting work spans a wide range of organisations, including energy providers, universities, police services, the ADF, state government bodies, health services, information services firms, and large private enterprises. I regularly work with candidates across sectors such as:
- Mining, resources, oil and gas roles
- Pharmaceutical, biotech, health, and nursing positions
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary education, including leadership roles
- Corporate management and C suite appointments, including international roles
- Political, chief of staff, and party pre selection applications
- Government roles at local, state, and federal level
- Franchise applications and commercial operator submissions
- Capability statements for professionals and contractors
- Marketing and sales leadership roles
- IT, AI and digital leadership positions
- ADF and former ADF applications
My credentials - I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.
Corporate consultancy - I have delivered resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for Australian state and local government employees, as well as universities in Australia and the UK.
Click the phone icon anytime, day or night, to book a complimentary 15-minute call at a time that suits you.
What is the Resume creation process?
A resume carefully designed to pass ATS filters & appeal to the employer.
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My role is to guide and support you with clear, honest advice as your resume takes shape. It must sound like you, because you will need to stand behind it at interview. If you are not targeting a specific role, I will shape your resume around broader industry expectations to appeal to multiple employers. Where a particular role is in scope, a tailored resume will always deliver stronger results.
How we create your resume together
Here is how the process works:
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Initial conversation
We begin with a detailed discussion about your background, experience, and career goals. This gives me the context needed to represent you accurately and effectively.
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Drafting your resume
Using our discussion as a foundation, I develop a resume that reflects your strengths and aligns with what employers are looking for.
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Bringing your strengths forward
The focus is not just on listing roles. We draw out what differentiates you, so your experience feels relevant and compelling rather than generic.
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Review and refinement
We review the document together for clarity, structure, accuracy, and tone, refining it until you are confident submitting it.
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Ensuring it gets through screening
As most employers use ATS software, I ensure your resume is formatted and written to pass automated screening and reach human decision makers.
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Do I need a General or Executive Package?
Executive applications typically involve more complex selection criteria.
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General roles - These applications are for positions where you are not accountable for overall staff or budget management. You may supervise others without full managerial responsibility. Common examples include hospitality, healthcare, trade, and operational roles.
Executive roles - Executive applications require a different level of strategy. These roles involve direct responsibility for people, budgets, and outcomes, from senior management through to C suite appointments. Selection criteria are often detailed and demanding, and an executive resume must demonstrate leadership capability, strategic judgement, and measurable impact.
When choosing between a general or executive package, consider the level of accountability involved and the complexity of the selection criteria for the role you are targeting.
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How do I choose the right package?
It pays to start with a close look at the job ad and job description.
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Start with the job advertisement - The job ad sets out exactly what the employer is seeking, and should guide which documents you need and how comprehensive they must be.
What the packages include - Resume packages are built around four core components: the resume or CV, a cover letter, LinkedIn, and selection criteria. A resume on its own is rarely enough to secure an interview in competitive Brisbane roles.
- Resume or CV - A focused summary of your qualifications, skills, experience, and achievements, written to align closely with the role’s selection criteria.
- Cover letter - Often submitted online as a short written statement, this translates your experience into a clear, role specific pitch.
- LinkedIn - Developed from your resume, LinkedIn supports your application by reinforcing credibility and visibility. It is essential for senior, commercial, and network driven roles, but less critical for entry level or general positions.
- Selection criteria - Many roles require written responses addressing essential and desirable requirements, covering skills, knowledge, experience, and outcomes.
- In government, education, health, and not for profit roles, a separate selection criteria document is commonly required.
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