Use evidence instead of job titles

List projects, responsibilities and problems you have solved. For each one, note the skills you used and the result. Include unpaid work, volunteering and community responsibilities where they demonstrate relevant capability.

Then divide the list into skills you want to use more, skills you would rather leave behind and gaps you need to investigate. This prevents a career move from becoming an escape without a direction.

Test assumptions before making a leap

Read current role descriptions and speak with people doing the work. Ask about an ordinary week, entry routes and the less enjoyable parts. A short course, shadowing opportunity or small project can test your interest before a major financial commitment.

  • Collect five examples of work you are proud of.
  • Compare recurring skills across several current job ads.
  • Ask practitioners about daily work, not just career highlights.
  • Run a low-cost experiment before resigning or retraining.

Common questions

Should I update my CV first?

An inventory usually comes first. It gives you stronger evidence and helps you decide which roles and achievements to emphasise.

Do transferable skills matter?

Yes, but they are most convincing when tied to specific examples and the requirements of the target role.