Have you been working too long in a position and wish to move up? Don’t know where to start? Think you have to start from scratch?

These are all valid questions, especially if you’re considering a career change or planning to move up. Whether you don’t want to ask them or not, chances are you’ll be forced to answer them or you’ll be asked by other people.  However, the questions you should be asking yourself, what is my job search about now? That’s the first question you should ask yourself. There is one simple answer that will put things into perspective.

Your job search isn’t just about proving that you can get the job done. It is that and about proving to your dream employer that despite the career /position change you have the enough professional skills and added experience. These are different things from your first job search.

This is where your transferable skills come from. Because unlike the first time you were looking for jobs, employers aren’t just interested in your degree and soft skills. They are looking for skills you have and used in your previous job(s) that are easily transferable to your new job. In fact, most of the skills employer look for in mid-career level professionals are transferable.  Whether you are looking for a new job in a new industry or a complete career change. These skills are the ones that are going to get you hired.

So how do you identify them? You first instinct should be finding out the requirements of the job. Go deep because, there are underpublicized information about the industry. Match that with what you have. This is the stuff you’ve developed over your active career years, your innate abilities and skills you haven’t used on the job but as a hobby.  When you compare, you will notice skills that overlap with the requirements. These are your transferable skills. It’s as simple as that and very helpful in putting you on the map towards your new career plans.

Then there’s the question of how you actually use them. This involves the usual, your CV. However, when you state these skills in your CV don’t fall into the trap of creating generic keywords.  Use them to develop a CV that proves you have used these skills.  Show them that your unusual background is the best thing because of the unique qualifications you have.

Source: Ethiojobs.net