Changing careers can feel overwhelming—especially if you’ve spent years building your expertise in one field. But a shift doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. With the right approach, you can build on your existing skills and experience to move into a new role or industry.
1. Start by Mapping Your Transferable Skills
Before making any decisions, take stock of what you already bring to the table. Many skills — like stakeholder engagement, project management, communication, or analytical thinking are valuable across industries.
How to do this:
- Review your past roles and list out your core responsibilities and achievements.
- Identify which of those skills are relevant to the roles you’re interested in.
- Use job ads or position descriptions to compare your experience with what’s commonly required.
2. Explore Without Committing
You don’t need to resign from your current job to explore new directions. In fact, testing the waters while still employed can help you make more informed decisions.
Ways to explore:
- Take short online courses or attend industry webinars.
- Volunteer for cross-functional projects at work.
- Shadow a colleague or friend in a different field.
- Attend meetups or networking events in your area of interest.
- Consider a secondment.
3. Understand the Market
Before making a move, it’s important to understand what roles are in demand, what skills are valued, and what the typical pathways look like.
What to research:
- Job boards and industry reports
- LinkedIn profiles of people in your target roles
- Salary benchmarks and qualification requirements
4. Clarify Your Motivations
Knowing why you want to change careers is just as important as knowing what you want to do next. Are you looking for more flexibility? A greater sense of purpose? Better pay? A new challenge?
Reflect on:
- What energises you at work
- What you want more (or less) of in your next role
- Your long-term personal and professional goals
5. Talk to CBR Recruitment
If you’re unsure how your experience translates to a new industry or role, we can help. Our consultants work with you to:
- Review your resume and identify transferable skills
- Understand your career goals and motivations
- Explore alternative roles or sectors that align with your strengths
- Provide honest feedback and practical next steps
We take a personalised approach to career transitions, helping you build a bridge into your next opportunity rather than making a leap of faith. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence. Contact us on 02 6103 7000 or by emailing hello@CBRrecruitment.com.au
