Helping Candidates Transfer Skills to New Industries in a Changing Job Market

In today’s job market, talent acquisition teams face a unique challenge: helping candidates transition their skills to new industries. As the global pandemic reshapes the employment landscape, many talented professionals must pivot their careers. At Signature Source, this presents an opportunity for forward-thinking companies to tap into a rich pool of diverse talent.

“The ability to identify and harness transferable skills is becoming increasingly crucial in our ever-changing job market,” says Marcie King, Executive Global Recruiter at Signature Source. “Talent acquisition teams that master this art will have a significant advantage in attracting top talent from various backgrounds.”

Understanding Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied across different roles and industries. These can include soft skills (like communication, leadership, and problem-solving) and hard skills (such as project management, data analysis, or specific technical proficiencies).

When evaluating candidates from different industries, it’s essential to look beyond job titles and focus on the core competencies that can add value to your organization. This approach widens your talent pool and brings your team fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.

Steps to Help Candidates Transition

1. Identify Transferable Skills: Work with candidates to create a comprehensive list of their skills, categorizing them as “Enjoy using,” “Don’t enjoy using,” and “Neutral.” This exercise helps candidates reflect on their strengths and preferences, making aligning their skills with new opportunities easier.
2. Research Target Industries: Encourage candidates to research potential industries thoroughly. This includes understanding current challenges, opportunities, and trends. We suggest they join relevant LinkedIn or Facebook groups, follow industry thought leaders on social media, and explore company websites.
3. Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch: Help candidates create a concise elevator pitch highlighting how their skills can address specific business challenges in the new industry. For example:

“I most recently worked as a travel planner at (COMPANY). I loved interacting with customers and helping create a memorable experience for them, so I’m now looking to apply my rapport and relationship-building skills in the health-food industry to improve sales and customer retention.”

1. Facilitate Networking Opportunities: Encourage informational interviews and virtual coffee chats with professionals in the target industry. These connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to job opportunities.
2. Identify and Address Skill Gaps: Help candidates pinpoint areas where they may need additional training or knowledge. Recommend resources for upskilling, such as online courses, webinars, or industry-specific certifications.

Jean Strickland, President/CEO of Signature Source, emphasizes the importance of this approach: “By focusing on transferable skills and potential rather than direct industry experience, talent acquisition teams can uncover hidden gems that bring unique value to their organizations.”

Overcoming Challenges in the Hiring Process

Talent acquisition teams may face internal resistance when considering candidates from different industries. Here are some strategies to overcome these challenges:

1. Educate Hiring Managers: Help managers understand the value of transferable skills and diverse experiences. Provide examples of successful career pivots within your industry.
2. Revise Job Descriptions: Work with hiring managers to focus job descriptions on essential skills and competencies rather than specific industry experience.
3. Implement Skills-Based Assessments: Use practical assessments or case studies to evaluate candidates’ abilities to apply their skills in new contexts.
4. Create Onboarding Programs: Develop comprehensive onboarding programs that help new hires from different industries acclimate to your company culture and industry-specific knowledge.
5. Showcase Success Stories: Highlight examples of employees who have successfully transitioned from other industries within your organization.

Glen Scriber, Executive Global Recruiter at Signature Source, notes, “The most successful companies we work with are those that value adaptability and diverse thinking. They recognize that skills can be transferred across industries, and they’re willing to invest in candidates who demonstrate the right potential.”

The Benefits of Cross-Industry Hiring

Embracing candidates from different industries can bring numerous benefits to your organization:

1. Fresh Perspectives: Employees from diverse backgrounds can offer new approaches to problem-solving and innovation.
2. Adaptability: These hires often demonstrate high levels of adaptability and learning agility.
3. Diverse Skill Sets: Cross-industry hires can bring unique combinations of skills that may not be common in your industry.
4. Expanded Network: New employees can bring valuable connections from their previous industries.
5. Improved Employer Brand: Openness to diverse experiences can enhance your reputation as an inclusive employer.

As we navigate the evolving job market, talent acquisition teams have a unique opportunity to reshape their hiring strategies. Organizations can build more resilient, innovative, and adaptable teams by focusing on transferable skills and embracing candidates from diverse backgrounds.

At Signature Source, we’re committed to helping talent acquisition teams and candidates navigate these transitions successfully. By fostering an environment that values skills and potential over industry-specific experience, we can create more opportunities for employers and candidates in this new normal.

[This article draws insights from “How to Transfer Your Skills to a New Industry” by Rebecca Beaton, available at https://rebeccabeaton.com/how-to-transfer-your-skills-to-a-new-industry/]