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 the
capabilities you can carry with you, skills that show how you adapt, solve problems,
communicate, and deliver results in new settings. When you identify and present these
clearly, and link them to what an employer is really looking for, you make it much
easier for them to see how your experience translates into the role you want next.
What exactly is a transferable skill?
A transferable skill is a competency gained in one context that applies effectively in another. Sought-after examples include leadership, communication, problem-solving, and digital literacy. These skills signal adaptability and are especially valuable when changing roles or entering new industries.
Since graduating and entering the workforce, I, like many of you, have had to adjust to the whirlwind of technological change. The database and algorithm knowledge I gained at university and in the 1990s remains transferable because the core skills of collecting, organising, and analysing data continue to apply across industries. For example, my understanding of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in the 2020s builds on these same competencies, particularly in optimising CVs to navigate algorithmic filters.
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What transferable skills should I highlight?
Sought-after transferable skills include
When you are changing direction, focus on skills that travel well between roles and industries. These are the capabilities employers rely on regardless of job title, and they often sit at the heart of selection criteria, even when they are not spelled out clearly.
- Problem-solving skills - Identifying issues, weighing options, and working through practical solutions. This includes managing projects, coordinating people or resources, and delivering outcomes when things are not straightforward.
- Time management - Prioritising work, meeting deadlines, and handling competing demands without close supervision.
- Communication skills - Explaining ideas clearly and confidently, in writing and verbally, and adjusting your approach for different audiences.
- Leadership capability - Guiding others towards shared goals, whether through formal leadership, project coordination, or taking responsibility for outcomes.
- Interpersonal skills - Building trust, working well with others, handling change, and navigating different personalities, teams, or work environments.
- Technical and digital skills - Using tools, systems, or platforms relevant to the role, and picking up new technology quickly when required.
- Strategic thinking - Understanding the bigger picture, anticipating challenges, and making decisions that support longer-term goals.
How can a resume highlight transferable skills?
Your CV or resume and cover letter should always be matched to the role. Even without direct industry experience, you can demonstrate fit by linking your transferable skills to the employer’s selection criteria. Strong examples drawn from different roles or sectors help show how your experience translates and why you make sense for the position.
Seven steps to help identify relevant transferable skills
Start with the job, not your past roles, and work out what the employer is really hiring for, including what is implied as well as what is stated. Group those needs into clear skill themes, then map your own evidence against each one, drawing from any relevant context. Test each skill for relevance to the role rather than familiarity, rank them by importance and strength of evidence, and pressure-test your top skills with real examples and outcomes. Build your CV or resume and cover letter around this top tier so your application feels focused, credible, and clearly matched to the role.
1. Start with the job, not your history
Read the job ad carefully and note the skills, behaviours, and outcomes the role is built around. Some will be stated directly; others will be implied through phrases such as “working autonomously”, “stakeholder engagement”, or “delivering results”.
2. Group the requirements into skill themes
Cluster the employer’s needs into broader skill areas such as problem-solving, communication, leadership, technical capability, and organisation. This helps you cut through long or vague job ads and pinpoint what actually matters.
3. Map your evidence against each theme
For each skill area, list examples from your work, projects, achievements, or training where you have demonstrated that capability. If you are changing sectors, draw on evidence from different contexts, such as contracting, volunteering, study, or community roles.
4. Test for relevance, not familiarity
Ask which skills genuinely help solve the employer’s problems. The skills you used most often are not always the ones that matter most to this role. Prioritise the skills that clearly support the job’s objectives, risks, and day-to-day pressures.
5. Rank your transferable skills
Score each skill using two quick checks:
- Importance to the role - How central is this skill to what the employer needs?
- Strength of evidence - How strong is my proof, with outcomes, results, or clear examples?
Skills that rate highly on both should lead your CV or resume and cover letter.
6. Pressure-test your top skills
For your top five to seven skills, confirm you can back each one with a specific example and a clear outcome. If you cannot point to evidence, drop it down the list or gather better proof before you lean on it.
7. Build your application around the top tier
Shape your profile, achievements, and cover letter around your highest-ranked skills so your application feels focused and job-specific rather than generic.
Consistent engagement with respected publications and institutions signals credibility. Authority built through visible leadership carries far more weight than any job-seeking profile.
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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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, Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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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