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I've been with the same organization for about six years now and I've decided it's time for me to move on. I've done well in my time with them and I've been promoted 4 times and am ended up in a reasonably senior role. The only problem is I'm doing a technical role in a public service organization that's in a very small niche. For that reason, I'm worried about the marketability of my "skills" in any context other than one I've spent the last six years working in. Has anyone ever been in a similar scenario? Is there any advice anyone can offer?

wittensworld's picture

Hi,

Management and leadership is transferable to any business. Managing performance, motivating and inspiring people, taking a strategic approach, taking ownership, making customers more successful, customer and supplier relationships and the list could go on and on - all of these skills are transferable. I do get what you're saying though. Dip your toe in the water and see how you get on in an interview.

Good luck

Simon @ WittensWorld

katehorstman's picture
Admin Role Badge

Have you listened to our resume writing casts? Or to our cast on connecting your accomplishments to your resume? It might help to start there both to beef up your resume and to remind your self of the effects of your effort. Even if your efforts were niche, or very specific, they probably translate to tangible, real world results. It can be easy to forget the things that happen because of our work. When writing your resume or thinking of your skills, its best to concentrate on accomplishments in order to see that your skills will translate to other roles. Its always daunting to consider your own skills in the larger market, but if you take the time to consider the final results of your efforts, you will find that you can see clearly how those might be skills another organization would want to bring on board. I was previously in a very technical role in a very specific industry. Even though my tools and skills were very specific, the end results of change in the organization,  in terms of budgets, growth, or time saved, were very marketable. It helped me to think in larger terms than “my own desk.” When concentrating on the things that my work caused, I found that I did a great deal of work that was worthwhile and great resume fodder.

 

https://www.manager-tools.com/2006/09/accomplishments-connecting-resumes-and-interviews

 

I hope this helps,

Kate