Changing careers is a bold move—and a smart one when you’re chasing better opportunities, a healthier work-life balance, or more purpose in your day-to-day. But let’s be honest: switching industries can feel like starting over. The good news? You’re not. You already have valuable experience—you just need to know how to position it. That starts with choosing the right skills to list on a resume that show you’re a strong candidate, even if your background isn’t a perfect match.
Let’s break it down.
Why Skills Matter More Than Job Titles
When hiring managers scan resumes (and yes, many only take 7 seconds to do it), they’re not just looking for familiar job titles. They’re looking for relevant skills—the abilities and knowledge that make someone successful in the role.
This is especially good news if you’re making a career pivot. Skills can transfer across industries, and when you highlight the right ones, you make a compelling case for why you should be considered.
What Types of Skills Should You Focus On?
There are two main categories of skills to list on a resume: hard skills and soft skills.
Hard Skills
These are teachable, measurable abilities—often tied to specific tasks or tools. Examples:
- Project management
- Excel proficiency
- Social media strategy
- Data analysis
- Coding (e.g., Python, HTML)
- Financial forecasting
Hard skills are usually learned through training or experience, and they tend to be industry-specific.
Soft Skills
These are personal qualities and habits that shape how you work and interact with others. Examples:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Emotional intelligence
Soft skills are often what differentiate a good candidate from a great one—especially in new or unfamiliar roles.
How to Identify Transferable Skills
When changing careers, your goal is to highlight transferable skills—skills you gained in your past roles that can apply to your new field.
Here’s how to find them:
1. Review the Job Description
Scan the listing for keywords that show what the employer is looking for. Pay attention to:
- Repeated terms (e.g., “collaboration,” “client-facing,” “detail-oriented”)
- Specific tools or platforms
- Soft skills in the requirements section
2. Analyze Your Experience
Now, take a close look at your past roles. Ask:
- What tools or systems did I use?
- What challenges did I solve?
- What results did I achieve?
- How did I work with others?
Match those experiences to the language in the job description.
3. Frame It for the New Industry
Even if the context was different, the skill still counts. For example:
- “Led customer satisfaction initiatives” can translate to “client engagement” in sales or account management.
- “Managed 20+ projects at a time” could easily transfer into marketing, operations, or product management.
12 High-Value Skills to List on a Resume When Changing Careers
Here are some skills that often cross industry lines and appeal to hiring managers in a wide variety of fields:
1. Project Management
Shows you can plan, prioritize, and deliver results—no matter the field.
2. Communication (Written and Verbal)
Whether it’s clients, teams, or executives, communication is always in demand.
3. Problem Solving
Demonstrates that you think critically and take initiative when challenges arise.
4. Adaptability
Especially important in fast-paced or changing industries. It tells employers you’ll learn quickly.
5. Leadership
If you’ve ever led a team, mentored a colleague, or guided a process—you have leadership skills.
6. Customer Service or Client Relations
Experience working with people translates well into sales, support, or consulting roles.
7. Technical Tools
List platforms and software tools—even if they’re basic. For example:
- Google Workspace
- Slack
- Salesforce
- Canva
- Excel or Google Sheets
- Trello or Asana
8. Analytical Thinking
Employers love people who can look at data, trends, or problems and draw conclusions.
9. Time Management
Changing careers often requires juggling learning curves. Proving you’re organized helps ease that concern.
10. Creativity
Not just for artists. Creativity means thinking outside the box in any setting.
11. Team Collaboration
Remote or in-person, working well with others is always a green flag.
12. Initiative
Show that you don’t wait to be told what to do—you get ahead of problems and opportunities.
How to List These Skills on Your Resume
Once you’ve identified your strengths, the next step is figuring out how to make your resume stand out by presenting them in a clean, strategic format.
1. Include a Dedicated Skills Section
Create a section titled Skills or Core Competencies near the top or bottom of your resume. Use bullet points or short phrases to make it skimmable.
Example:
Skills
- Project Management • Data Analysis • Written Communication
- Client Relations • Microsoft Excel • Problem Solving
2. Weave Skills Into Your Work Experience
Don’t just list skills—show how you used them. Use bullet points under your past job titles to demonstrate impact.
Before: Handled scheduling tasks
After: Managed weekly schedules for a 12-person team, improving meeting efficiency by 30%
3. Tailor for Each Job Application
Don’t submit a generic resume. Customize your skills and wording based on the job description for each role.
What If You Don’t Have “Enough” Experience?
If you’re new to an industry, you might worry you’re not qualified. But experience comes in many forms:
- Volunteer work
- Freelance or side projects
- Certifications or courses
- Internships
- Personal projects or self-study
If you’ve taken a course on Google Analytics, led a nonprofit committee, or built a website for your friend’s business—mention it. Those experiences still prove your capabilities.
Final Tips for Resume Success During a Career Change
- Lead with a strong summary. Use your resume summary to clarify your goal and highlight key strengths.
Example: “Results-driven project manager pivoting into UX design, bringing 7+ years of leadership, creative problem-solving, and technical expertise.”
- Keep formatting clean and easy to read. Avoid clutter and stick to one page if possible.
- Be confident. Changing careers shows initiative, courage, and growth. That’s impressive all by itself.
Ready to Make Your Move?
Listing the right skills on your resume is one of the most powerful ways to make your career pivot successful. Focus on what you bring to the table, frame your past experience through the lens of your future goals, and always tailor your resume to the job at hand.
Remember: It’s not about starting over. It’s about showing how your past makes you the right fit for what’s next.
