Perform a skills audit

First, identify your transferable skills. These are the core professional competencies you possess, which could be applied to a new role or industry.

Begin with a copy of your CV and a blank page. List every job, volunteering experience, academic achievement and professional accomplishment you have ever had, along with the skills you developed in each setting. If you wrote reports in a previous role, you might list your transferable skills as business writing, time management and working to deadlines. If you’ve scheduled meetings, write down organisation and prioritisation. And, if you’ve managed a budget, your transferable skills could include record-keeping, accuracy and financial planning. ‘Don’t discount anything – it’s all relevant,’ says Thomson. ‘Reflect on all the successful projects that you have delivered and any praise or recognition you have received.’

Prime yourself to do this with a positive mindset. It’s a challenging task but this is not the time for modesty. If you find it too challenging and your inner critic is too overpowering, Thomson recommends asking a supportive friend or a coach to help.

Once your list is complete, write down your five best transferable skills – the things you’re both great at and love to do. Rank them in order of importance. Think of this list as your ‘secret sauce’, or the aces up your sleeve you can use to seek out relevant opportunities that you may have overlooked before.

When I tried this exercise, I settled on writing, mentoring, public speaking, connecting with people and learning. Those skills matched a job advert I’d seen for a

Research organisations in which your top five skills could add value. Leave no stone unturned in your quest