Five years ago, I wrote this article about transferable skills and career change.

At the time, I was reflecting on my transition from banking and finance into communications, stakeholder engagement and project consulting. Looking back now, I realise the article wasn’t really about changing careers at all. It was about recognising that no experience is ever wasted.

Since writing this piece, I’ve worked across major infrastructure, renewable energy, government, health, mining and community projects. I’ve led communications and stakeholder engagement programs for billion-dollar projects, managed crisis communications during the COVID-19 pandemic, completed a Graduate Certificate in Project Management, started building multiple businesses, written hundreds of articles and begun work on several books.

What strikes me most is that none of these opportunities came from starting over.

They came from building on what I already knew.

The negotiation skills I learnt in credit management helped me navigate complex stakeholder environments. The attention to detail from banking and finance helped me manage risk and governance requirements. The customer service skills I learnt in hospitality helped me connect with communities. The marketing degree gave me strategy. Project management gave me structure. Writing gave me a voice.

The industries changed, but the skills remained remarkably consistent.

Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that transferable skills are not simply something we take from one job to another. They become the foundation for reinvention, growth and new opportunities throughout our lives.

Hey there! Have you ever found yourself stuck in a job you’re just not passionate about? 

Well, let me tell you, I’ve been there. As a solo mum to a little ball of energy, I knew I needed to find my true calling, something that would make me excited to wake up every morning. So, I decided to take the leap and go to university in-between running errands and taking my son to the park. And let me tell you, it was the best decision I ever made!

After graduating with a Bachelor of Management in Marketing, I left the world of numbers (aka banking and finance) and dove headfirst into my true passion. But here’s the thing: I didn’t leave my previous experience behind. No way! I brought all of my transferable skills with me, and they have added so much value to my new career.

Transferable skills are the secret weapon to any career change, and I have the receipts to prove it! These skills are the ones you can take with you no matter where you go. They’re the skills that make you a well-rounded, adaptable, and invaluable asset to any team. Some examples of transferable skills include problem-solving, teamwork, communication, initiative, creativity, and critical thinking. And let me tell you, having these skills has made me feel like a superhero in my new career, bringing a whole new perspective to the table.

When embarking on a new job, it’s important to remember that the skills you’ve gained in previous roles can still be valuable. Transferable soft skills such as communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork can be applied to any position and can help you stand out as a valuable asset to your new team. Bringing these skills with you to your new job can also give you the confidence to tackle new challenges and excel in your role. So don’t underestimate the power of your transferable soft skills – they can help you thrive in any job and make a positive impact in your new workplace.

“I didn’t leave banking to become a communicator. I brought strategy, analysis, negotiation, process improvement and commercial thinking with me. Then I layered communications, engagement, writing and stakeholder management on top.”

Let me share with you an exciting insight – your previous experience matters just as much as your current skillset. Speaking from personal experience, I have found that my analytical left-brain approach to strategy, combined with my creative right-brain approach, has been invaluable in my career journey. So, don’t discount the power of your past experiences and unique strengths. They can make all the difference in achieving success and fulfilment in your chosen field. Your story, your journey, and your unique background are all valuable pieces of the puzzle. Don’t underestimate the power of your story! Employers are looking for more than just on-paper experience. They want someone who brings personality, cultural fit, and a drive to succeed to their team.

Here is my example of being a Credit Manager, with outstanding Debt collection skills. Having strong negotiation skills is absolutely essential in any job. Credit Manager skills bring a wealth of expertise in strategy, change management, stakeholder management, process improvement, systems implementation, and staff training, making them a valuable asset to any team. In fact, I can’t stress enough just how much of an impact these skills can have on your success.

Allow me to illustrate this point with an example of how powerful negotiation skills can lead to outstanding results. Imagine you’re in a high-stakes meeting with a difficult client who’s pushing back on your proposal. With your finely honed negotiation skills, you can deftly navigate the conversation, carefully listen to their concerns and objections, and address them one by one. Through your strategic approach and effective communication, you reach a mutually beneficial agreement that not only satisfies the client but also exceeds their expectations.

This is just one example of how powerful negotiation skills can truly set you apart in your career. So if you’re looking to take your professional skills to the next level and make a real impact, investing in your negotiation skills is a must.

Imagine a project where I managed a company’s portfolio and successfully implemented process improvements that resulted in the collection of over $1.9 million in aged debtors within 180 days. This was no mean feat, but with my Credit Management and debt collection skills, I delivered remarkable outcomes that exceeded expectations. Next time, I’ll be asking for a %.

Through my strategic planning, I identified areas for improvement and developed a comprehensive plan to achieve them. I then implemented this plan, introducing new processes and refining existing ones to optimise their effectiveness.

Of course, any change brings some resistance, but with my exceptional change management skills, I managed this process smoothly, keeping all stakeholders informed and engaged at every step.

In addition, I rewrote the company’s processes to reflect the changes we had made, streamlining, improving efficiency, and enhancing effectiveness. Through this, we were able to minimise errors, reduce costs, and improve overall productivity.

But that’s not all – I also implemented process improvement strategies and systems that made it easier for our staff to carry out their roles effectively. Through ongoing training and support, we empowered our staff to perform at their best, resulting in a motivated and highly skilled team.

And through all of this, I maintained positive relationships with our clients, understanding that while Credit Management and debt collection are an important part of any business, it is equally important to maintain positive relationships with those we work with.

So you see, my Credit Management and debt collection skills are not just valuable in the field of Financial Management itself – they are skills that can be applied across any job or industry, delivering exceptional results and adding real value to your organisation.

So, what’s your story?

Where have you come from, and what positive elements have brought you to this point in your life? What are you doing to make a shift, and what do you offer, even without direct experience in your new industry? These are all important questions to consider when making a career change.

And just for fun, let me list 17 jobs/occupations I’ve done, and you can guess which one isn’t true! Are you ready?

1. Communications, Engagement and Change Management

2. Bridal Expo Owner and Organiser

3. Real Estate Sales and Marketing Professional

4. Social Impact Assessment, SA & VIC

5. Credit Manager, London, UK

6. Marketing Project Manager

7. Breakfast Cook and Bar work, Athens, Greece

8. Bar work, Notting Hill, UK

9. Check out Chick, Arrow Supermarket, Marion

10. Housekeeping, Yulara, NT

11. Retail Assistant, Turkey

12. Marketing and Office Manager, Infrastructure Asset Protection

13. Finance Manager, International Architectural Firm

14. Mortgage Security Analyst for one of the Big 4

15. Settlement Clerk for one of the Big 4 for NSW, VIC & TAS

16. Accounts Receivable for one of the Big 4 for NSW, VIC & TAS

17. Corporate Affairs Project Engagement Specialist, Mining

Now, can you guess which one isn’t true? 

I’ll give you a hint: My Turkish isn’t so great, so number 11 might be a bit of a stretch for me. But, hey, who knows what the future holds! The point is, with transferable skills and a little bit of creativity, anything is possible in your career journey. In today’s world, careers are rarely linear. Many of us will change industries, professions, locations and priorities multiple times throughout our working lives. The ability to learn, adapt and apply existing skills in new environments is becoming more valuable than ever.

Whether you’re moving into a new industry, returning to work, starting a business, pursuing a passion project or simply exploring what comes next, don’t underestimate the value of the experience you already have. The most valuable asset you bring isn’t always your latest qualification or job title. Often, it’s the collection of lessons, skills, relationships and experiences you’ve built along the way.

Key Takeaways: Skills You Already Have

Before you rush off to update your resume, take a moment to reflect.

Ask yourself:

• What skills have I used consistently across different jobs, industries or life experiences?

• What challenges have I solved that others may struggle with?

• What do colleagues, clients, friends or managers regularly come to me for help with?

• What skills have I developed outside of work through parenting, volunteering, travel, study or community involvement?

• If I changed industries tomorrow, what strengths would I take with me?

• What parts of my current role energise me the most?

• What am I doing today that I once thought was outside my comfort zone?

• If I could redesign my career, what would I keep and what would I leave behind?

A Simple Career Reinvention Exercise

Take out a piece of paper and draw three columns.

Column 1: Experience

List every role, project, volunteer position, life experience or achievement that has shaped you.

Column 2: Skills

Write down the skills you developed from each experience. Think beyond technical skills and include communication, leadership, relationship-building, problem-solving, resilience, adaptability, planning, negotiation, and creativity.

Column 3: Future Opportunities

Ask yourself where those skills could be applied next. Another industry? Consulting? A side business? A passion project? A leadership role? Something completely different?

You may be surprised how many opportunities appear when you focus on skills rather than job titles.

The next chapter of your career may not require you to start again. It may simply require seeing the value of what you already bring.

Because the most powerful skills are often the ones you don’t leave behind.

So, go out there, tell your story, be your authentic self and show the world what you’re made of!

Tarnia

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