Transferring your skills from the public to the private sector
Resource summary
This factsheet was written by Corinne Mills, Managing Director of the career coaching and outplacement company, Personal Career Management in May 2011.
Identifying transferable skills and experience
The widespread cuts in public sector jobs have led to increasing numbers of staff seeking to make a transition into the private sector. Public sector workers, especially those with little or no private sector experience, can face significant challenges in convincing employers that their skills and experience are transferable to a more commercial environment.
HR is a very portable profession with opportunities in every employment sector. However, the reality is, that employers can often be risk-averse, and prefer candidates already experienced in working with organisations similar to their own.
Despite this, if you are a public sector worker seeking to change sector, you can help to overcome this reluctance by focusing on roles and organisations where you can show a direct relevance between your previous job(s) and the one for which you are applying.
For instance, if you were working in an organisation specialising in housing, then you could consider applying for HR roles within housing related private sector organisations such as property development or rental companies. If you have substantial experience working with a particular staff group, for example, research staff, then this could be of direct relevance to commercial companies with large R&D functions.
Consider any corporate customers, suppliers or private sector bodies with whom you worked whilst within your job. Approach them and similar organisations emphasising your previous dealings with them and your insight into how their company works or the nature of their product or service.
Avoid a scattergun approach where you apply haphazardly for jobs that are advertised. You are much more likely to be successful if you can show that in addition to your HR expertise, you have knowledge and experience that is of specific relevance to that type of organisation.
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