How to Find a New Career that Aligns with Your Skills

Why Aligning Your Career with Your Skills

Finding a career that aligns with your skills is crucial for job satisfaction, productivity, and long-term success. When your strengths match your role's demands, you're more likely to feel engaged and motivated.

According to a study by the American Institute for Economic Research, 82 percent of individuals who transitioned to new careers after age 45 were successful in their new roles, highlighting the benefits of leveraging existing skills in new fields.

For those considering a transition, this aspect of a career change might seem daunting though. “It can be hard when you're in that position of wanting to make a transition but thinking, okay, well, how does this relate to what I want to do?” Arvidson notes.

By identifying how your skills apply to new roles, you can position yourself for success in a career that genuinely values your abilities. But how can you ensure your skills are transferable to your new role? Here are a few tips to help get you started.

How to Ensure Your New Career Aligns With Your Current Skills

1. Take Inventory of Your Skills

Before diving into a new career, it’s essential to have a clear picture of your current skills. This includes both technical expertise and transferable skills that apply to a wide range of industries.

“Taking an inventory of all the skills that you have mastered over the years is really important,” Arvidson says. “And many times we see students who are career changers overlook how many of their current capabilities can be applied to a new role.”

For example, leadership, communication, and problem-solving are considered valuable transferable skills in nearly any career. So try to think about situations where you've showcased these competencies and how they can be leveraged in your new career:

• Leadership: If you've led projects, teams, or initiatives, you can more easily transition into management roles in a new field.
• Communication: If you can clearly, and concisely communicate, you’ll be a contributing team member, even when you’re still learning on the job.
• Project Management: If you can plan, organize, and oversee projects effectively, you can make an impact in nearly any industry.

By creating a detailed inventory of your skills, you can begin to see potential paths that align with your strengths and prepare for a successful transition into your next career.

2. Research Careers that Value Your Skills

Once you’ve considered your skills, the next step is to explore careers where those abilities are in high demand. Tools like O*NET and LinkedIn allow you to explore industries and roles by searching for keywords related to your skills. For example, try searching by skill keywords on LinkedIn to find potential roles and explore common career paths for professionals with similar backgrounds.

Luckily, many fields place a high value on transferable skills, making them ideal for career changers. For example, healthcare roles rely heavily on transferable skills like project management and effective communication to manage teams and ensure efficient patient care. However, other industries, such as education and technology, also value transferable skills like leadership, strategic planning, and adaptability, which can provide career changers with diverse options as they research potential roles.

By focusing on industries that align with your skills, you can target roles that not only match your strengths but also provide opportunities for growth.

3. Match Skills to Job Requirements

One of the most intimidating aspects of changing careers is the feeling that you need to “check every box” for job requirements. Fortunately, many employers are shifting their focus to transferable skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving—competencies you likely already have.

These adaptable abilities are frequently found in job descriptions across various fields and are often valued more highly than specific technical experience, especially for candidates with previous professional experience. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023, analytical and creative thinking were the top skills projected to grow in demand through 2027.

Focus on job descriptions where your strengths meet the position’s essential needs. By doing so, you’ll show that your unique background can bring fresh perspectives and valuable experience to the role. Research also shows that career changers who leverage their transferable skills are more likely to quickly secure new positions and find greater job satisfaction since they’re building on strengths rather than starting from scratch.

4. Explore Professional Development Opportunities

While transferable skills can open doors for career changers, some roles may still require additional skills or certifications to make you a strong candidate. Upskilling through courses, certifications, or workshops can make you a more competitive candidate and signal your commitment to growth.

“Employers are looking for people that are adept at learning new skills and interested in improving themselves constantly,” Arvidson adds.

If you’re exploring a career change, you should consider professional development options like:

• Online courses: Gain industry-relevant knowledge in flexible formats
• Certifications: Validate your skills with a certificate
• Workshops: Build hands-on expertise in specific tools or techniques

These opportunities can help you bridge the gap between your current skills and the requirements of a new field. For example, certifications in project management, digital marketing, or data analysis can add industry-relevant expertise to your resume, helping you stand out in competitive job markets.

Other industries, like clinical healthcare, may require career changers to go back to school to gain specific credentials or licensure that employers require. “Anyone considering a career should really think about the ways they can separate themselves from others,” Arvidson concludes. “These professional development opportunities are a really effective method of doing this.”

5. Conduct Informational Interviews

One of the best ways to understand a new career field is by talking to professionals already working in it. Informational interviews give you the chance to learn firsthand about the skills, culture, and day-to-day realities of roles that interest you. Not only that, it can be valuable networking opportunities.

“These can really help students build a professional network for their new field,” Arvidson adds. “After connecting with possible employers, students will then reach out to the employer again, thank them for the discussion, and start to establish a strong professional relationship.”

To get the most out of an informational interview, focus on asking open-ended questions that provide insight into the skills and experiences needed for your desired role. Ask about the path the professional took to get into the field, what skills they use most frequently, and any challenges they’ve faced.

One of the best settings to have these informal conversations is in an academic setting if you decide to go back to school to support your career change. “When else do you get an opportunity to easily talk with an employer you're interested in without just applying to a job online?” Arvidson asks.

Develop Foundational Skills For Your Next Career

Changing careers doesn’t mean starting over—it means building on the valuable skills and experiences you already have. By identifying roles that align with your skills, you can confidently transition into a new field.

For those ready to take their career change to the next level, going back to school can be a powerful way to gain industry-specific knowledge and skills. At Regis College, programs are designed with adult learners in mind, providing flexible options and a supportive environment to help you thrive.

“We’re here to help students understand that they can make this change and that we’re here to support them along the way,” Arvidson says.

Take the next step in your career journey with confidence, knowing that Regis College is here to support you every step of the way.