How Do My Skills Transfer? Making a Career Shift After a Layoff

Losing a job can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. Even more frustrating is hearing that companies are desperate for workers while you’re struggling to get interviews. If the job market is so strong, why is it so hard to find a new role?

The answer isn’t always about your qualifications or experience – it’s about where the jobs are, how industries are changing, and whether you know how to market yourself in a shifting economy. Layoffs aren’t just about poor performance; they often stem from cost-cutting, automation, or shifts in business priorities. The key is understanding how to reframe your skills to fit what employers need now.

How to Identify & Market Your Transferable Skills

Most jobs require a mix of hard skills (technical knowledge) and soft skills (problem-solving, leadership, communication). If you’ve been laid off, your experience is likely more valuable than you think – but you need to present it correctly.

Some common transferable skills that can apply across industries include:

• Project management – Organizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and leading teams.
• Sales & communication – Persuasion, negotiation, and relationship-building.
• Data analysis – Identifying trends, interpreting reports, and making data-driven decisions.
• Problem-solving & adaptability – Handling crises, improving processes, and navigating uncertainty.

The challenge isn’t having these skills, it’s knowing how to position them.

Where to Start If You Don’t Know Your Next Move

If you’re unsure where to go next, the best place to start is getting an outside perspective on your skills and potential career paths. Many free resources can help guide you.

Get a Career Assessment & Resume Feedback

A career coach or job counselor can help identify your transferable skills, reframe your experience, and suggest roles that fit your background.  Where to find help:

• American Job Centers (CareerOneStop.org) offers free career counseling and resume help.
• Many local community colleges offer free career coaching and job placement services.
• Nonprofits like Goodwill provide low-cost or free resume reviews and career transition coaching.

If you prefer AI-driven career tools, try:

• O*NET Online (onetonline.org) – Matches your skills to new careers.
• JobScan (jobscan.co) – Analyzes your resume against job descriptions and suggests relevant industries.
• Rezi (rezi.io) – Uses AI to rewrite your resume for different job types.

Test the Waters Before Making a Big Leap

If you’re considering a career pivot, start with free or low-cost training and networking before making a major move. Where to start learning new skills:

• Coursera (coursera.org) & Udemy (udemy.com) – Free and low-cost courses in project management, digital marketing, and tech skills.
• LinkedIn Learning (linkedin.com/learning) – Offers a 30-day free trial for business, tech, and leadership courses.
• General Assembly (generalassemb.ly) – Free workshops on coding, UX design, and career transitions.

Where to find networking opportunities:

• Meetup (meetup.com) – Local networking groups and industry meetups.
• Eventbrite (eventbrite.com) – Search for free career fairs and industry webinars.
• LinkedIn Events – Browse upcoming virtual and in-person hiring events.

Apply for Jobs That Fit Your Skills – Even in New Industries

Instead of starting from scratch, focus on jobs where your existing experience is an asset. How to find job listings that match your background:

• Google Jobs (google.com/jobs) – Search for jobs by skill instead of job title.
• Indeed Career Explorer (indeed.com/career) – Suggests alternative careers based on your experience.
• LinkedIn “Open to Work” – Turn this feature on so recruiters see that you’re actively job-hunting.

If you’re unsure which industries are hiring, check Glassdoor’s Hiring Trends and LinkedIn’s “Who’s Hiring” Section

Optimize Your Resume & LinkedIn Profile

If you’re applying but not getting interviews, your resume might not be optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Tools to improve your resume:

• Teal HQ (tealhq.com) – AI-powered tool to reframe your resume for different industries.
• JobScan (jobscan.co) – Matches your resume against job descriptions to improve ATS compatibility.
• TopResume (topresume.com) – Offers a free resume review to highlight weaknesses.

What to Do Before Desperation Kicks In

If you’ve been laid off, time is critical. Before stress takes over, start with these immediate steps:

•  File for unemployment benefits – Check your state’s eligibility at CareerOneStop.org.
•  Update your LinkedIn & Resume – Use Teal HQ or JobScan to refine them.
•  Apply to 5-10 jobs per week – Target industries that are actively hiring.
•  Attend 1-2 networking events or webinars – Many jobs are filled through connections, not job boards.

The sooner you reposition yourself, the faster you can land a role that fits your skills and experience. Your career doesn’t end with a layoff  – it’s just a transition. The key is knowing where to look for support, how to reframe your experience, and which industries are actively hiring. Whether you use free career counseling, AI tools, or professional resume help, taking the right steps early can make all the difference.