Transferable skills: how to frame them without overclaiming

Transferable skills are the heart of a career change - but vague claims about them are easy to spot and easy to dismiss. The trick is to evidence them, not just assert them.

Name the skill, then prove it

Don't write 'strong stakeholder management'. Write what you did: 'Coordinated weekly updates between three departments to keep a project on schedule.' The skill is implied by the evidence.

Translate the context, not the truth

Reframing teaching as 'training and facilitation' is fair if that's what you did. Claiming experience you don't have isn't reframing - it's a risk that surfaces at interview.

Map to the target role

Look at the advert, list its priorities, and find the genuine example from your background that matches each one.

Lead with the most relevant

Put the transferable evidence high on page one so the reader sees the fit before the unrelated job titles.

Stay honest, stay confident

A CV you can defend in an interview beats an impressive one you can't.

Making a move and not sure how to frame your background? Book a free CV review.