You’re Not Starting From Scratch—You’re Starting From Experience
Recently, I stood in front of a group of highly skilled migrants—scientists, engineers, lawyers, project managers, leaders and experts in their fields—each navigating the complex reality of restarting their careers in a new country.
I, myself, had stood there 12 years earlier, not in the same room, or with the same network support, but also in contemplation of a new career start, in a new, foreign country. As I looked around the room, what struck me wasn’t uncertainty. It was potential!
You could feel the quiet strength of people who had already overcome so much—language barriers, bureaucracy, cultural shifts, and career detours. And yet, many of them didn’t fully appreciate the incredible value they were bringing with them.
That’s when I realized: Often times, it isn’t a gap to fill—but a treasure to uncover.
Enter Transferable Skills
So many of us—whether we’re relocating, pivoting careers, or returning to work—carry a lifetime of skills we rarely name. These are your transferable skills: abilities that travel with you from one role, country, or industry to the next.
They aren’t defined by a job title or diploma. They’re shaped by life.
Resilience from rebuilding.
Strategic thinking from starting over.
Communication across cultures.
Problem-solving when things didn’t go as planned.
These are not “soft” skills. They are human skills—and they are in high demand.
Why Transferable Skills Matter More Than Ever
In a world reshaped by technology shifts, and uncertainty, employers are looking beyond technical qualifications. They’re looking for adaptability, critical thinking, and the ability to thrive through change.
Research from McKinsey and the World Economic Forum confirms this shift: skills like collaboration, emotional intelligence, and learning agility are increasingly valued across sectors.
This means your experience—however non-linear—is an asset, not a setback.
Three Ways to Activate the Skills You Already Have:
1. Name the Skills Behind Your Story - Start with a life experience you’re proud of: moving countries, managing a family, switching careers, launching a side hustle. Ask:
What challenges did I face?
What helped me succeed?
What did I learn about myself?
Then identify the skills underneath. You might uncover leadership, budgeting, negotiation, or creative problem-solving.
Try this: Write your experience as a short mission. What did you overcome? What qualities helped you? What outcome did you create?
2. See the Job Search as Your Skills Gym - Looking for a job—especially after a move or break—can feel discouraging. But it’s also a powerful training ground.
Every application sharpens your communication.
Every interview builds your confidence.
Every rejection tests and strengthens your resilience.
Instead of asking “Why is this so hard?” try to reframe it: “What am I practicing today?”
This mindset turns waiting into working, preparing. Growth is happening—even if you don’t see it yet.
3. Learn to Translate, Not Just Tell - Often, the people hiring you don’t share your background. That’s not a problem—it’s an opportunity to bridge the gap. Instead of just telling your story, learn to translate it into language that resonates:
“Organized a community event” → Project management
“Took care of my family’s move abroad” → Strategic planning & cross-cultural coordination
Do this: Take one experience. Write it as a story, then rewrite it as a skills list.
Final Thought: Your Skills Are Not Lost—They’re Just Unlabeled
You are not an empty vessel starting over. You’ve already done the hard things—and you’ve built real, valuable skills along the way. From your personal or professional experiences, you have a toolbox of skills, ready for you to select from to match any context during your job search, or even on the job.
The key is to recognize them, speak confidently about them, and own your ability to learn, adapt, and contribute.
Remember: you’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.
