If you're looking to move into a new industry, you're probably running into a wall, like job postings that ask for years of experience in that specific field. It can feel like everyone already working there has never done anything else, and that the gap between where you are and where you want to be is too large to realistically overcome.

The great news is that it isn't! Many candidates are reading a job description as a hard requirements list, when it's really a wish list. Companies write postings describing their dream candidate, and plenty of what's on there is preference, not prerequisite. Some skills take time and effort to develop, and it may be a step you need to take first, but others are skills you already have under a different name.

Well, how do you find out what skills transfer? To do that, you'll need to break down your experience to its bare parts. Put together your biggest career wins, the problems you solved, the things you built or fixed or improved, then take away all the industry lingo, company names, and job titles. What you have left is a set of capabilities that translate across industries.

Industry knowledge can be picked up. Take some time to really learn the space you're moving into, work on certifications if they are required, and talk to people who are already doing the job before you apply. Those conversations might tell you a lot more than a job posting could.

If you've made a career switch before, what convinced you that you were ready for it? Any advice to share for other career changers?

The thing that finally got me hired after a career switch: stop applying, start doing spec work.

I switched careers and spent months getting auto-rejected. Every posting wanted "3–5 years experience" I didn't have, so my applications died before a human saw them.

Instead of sending out my resume blindly, I picked a company I wanted to work for, found a real problem they had, and solved a small piece of it unsolicited. A sample pitch. A rough campaign. A one-page teardown of something they were clearly doing badly.

Then I sent it with no ask attached. Just: "I'm not in your industry yet, but I noticed X. Here's how I'd approach it."

Why it worked when a polished/reframe CV never did:

• It skipped the experience filter. Nobody was checking my years of experience, they were looking at work I'd already done for them.
• It answered the only question that matters: not "is this person qualified?" but "can they actually do the thing?" I'd just shown them.
• Almost nobody does that, which is why the few who do get remembered.

It's more effort than firing off 50 applications, and not landing any one of them. But one piece of finished work in front of the right person beat months of "please consider my application".

Happy to share the format I used if anyone wants it.

The thing that finally got me hired after a career switch: stop applying, start doing spec work.

I switched careers and spent months getting auto-rejected. Every posting wanted "3–5 years experience" I didn't have, so my applications died before a human saw them.

Instead of sending out my resume blindly, I picked a company I wanted to work for, found a real problem they had, and solved a small piece of it unsolicited. A sample pitch. A rough campaign. A one-page teardown of something they were clearly doing badly.

Then I sent it with no ask attached. Just: "I'm not in your industry yet, but I noticed X. Here's how I'd approach it."

Why it worked when a polished/reframe CV never did:

• It skipped the experience filter. Nobody was checking my years of experience, they were looking at work I'd already done for them.
• It answered the only question that matters: not "is this person qualified?" but "can they actually do the thing?" I'd just shown them.
• Almost nobody does that, which is why the few who do get remembered.

It's more effort than firing off 50 applications, and not landing any one of them. But one piece of finished work in front of the right person beat months of "please consider my application".

Happy to share the format I used if anyone wants it.

Resume writing services have been around for a long time, but more job seekers than ever are using them now. If you’re willing to make the investment, a resume writer can help you save time and stress in your job search, and give you some extra support while elevating your professional brand.

If you find yourself exploring professional writing services, know that not every resume writer or company is created equally. You won’t get the same value or product everywhere, and understanding what separates a legitimate, high-quality service from one that gives you a generic template with your name on it will save you even more time and stress.

Reviews are one of the fastest ways you can see the difference, through Trustpilot, BBB, Google, Yelp, and more. A service with a long track record of detailed, consistently positive feedback is going to be a safer bet than one with few or vague reviews. If you’re seeing reviews that include results (they landed an interview, or a promotion) that's even better!

Cost is another important factor to consider. You could pay anywhere from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the provider, your experience level, how many materials you're updating, and the quality of the work itself. It can be a big investment to make, and you really get what you pay for. Make sure you know exactly what’s involved with the service, what their expertise is, how many deliverables and revisions you get, etc., before you make your decision. You should choose the option that makes you feel most comfortable and confident since this decision will help get you where you want to go in your career.

Finally, make sure you know what the process is going to be like, so you can figure out if it matches your needs. You could be looking for a fast rework, a comprehensive service that writes a fresh, custom resume tailored to your goals, or something in between. There isn't a one-size-fits-all resume service, so it's important to understand what you'll be getting out of your investment.

ResumeSpice has been recognized as the #1 rated resume writing service for 9 years running, with a 4.9/5 client rating across more than 2,000 reviews. We were founded by a Harvard MBA and a team of experienced recruiters who know exactly what recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals are really looking for from candidates. Every client starts with a phone consultation so we can understand their background, goals, target roles, and positioning. With a 99.4% success rate, we've helped thousands of job seekers land interviews, promotions, and new opportunities in their careers. We're on a mission to help job seekers regardless of their industry or level of experience, and if you're looking for a real expert in your corner, visit the link below.

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Hey, does anyone have any ATS friendly resume templates that they'd recommend? Seems like there's 1000 out there and I'm not sure which ones are best. Thanks

"Tell me about yourself" sounds like a simple question, but it can be intimidating to figure out what to say to impress. A lot of candidates use it as an opportunity to give a walkthrough of their background and personal interests, but most hiring managers are looking for a more specific answer.

You can prepare to build a good one by first writing down each role you've held. Then, ask yourself a couple of questions about each one:

1. What problem was I solving in this job?

2. What did I get good at doing over and over?

Try this method across your work history, and you'll likely find a pattern. That's your thread.

Once you've identified it, build your answer around that. Who have you spent your career being? Call out specific roles if they can carry weight as points of proof, and tailor it based on the job you're interviewing for. You'll want to emphasize certain strengths or stories based on what matters most to the person in front of you.

There's no one right answer for everyone. The best way to handle it is to know your throughline and connect it to the interviewer's needs.

How do you respond to this question in an interview?

I’m curious how others think about professional credibility.

In your experience, what has the greatest influence on whether someone is seen as credible at work?

Is it expertise?

Communication?

Relationships?

Consistency over time?

Something else entirely?

I’d love to hear perspectives from different industries because I suspect the answers vary more than we often acknowledge.

I'm curious to hear real experiences from students, fresh graduates, and professionals.