Thinking You Don't Have The Right Experience!
(+ How to Fix That Way of Thinking)
Written by: Jen Warrington, Founder of The Warrington Group
Let’s cut to the chase: most people underestimate themselves when it comes to their career + I’m calling BS on that.
I want to say that this doesn't happen because people lack experience, skills or talent ~ but because they overlook the very experience, skills + talent they have that will open the door to their next career move. These are your transferable skills ~ the often-undervalued capabilities that carry from one job (or even one industry) to another.
If you’ve been following along on our socials, attended any of our workshops or listened to The Career Fuel podcast, you know I’m a massive supporter of transferable skills, + why they aren’t just buzzwords or a trend.
By not understanding what your transferable skills are, you keep yourself stuck in a job ~ or an identity ~ that no longer fits.
Here are 5 of the most common mistakes career seekers make when it comes to transferable skills + how to fix them:
You are not starting over. Every work experience you’ve had counts.
Many career seekers believe that making a change means wiping the slate clean. That’s simply not true. Whether you’re pivoting industries, applying for a stretch role, or coming back from a break, your previous experience holds value. The trick is learning how to reposition it.
✅ Fix it: Reframe your mindset. You’re not starting over—you’re building on what’s already there. Ask yourself: What did I learn? What did I contribute? How did I solve problems or create value?
1. THINKING YOU’RE STARTING From Scratch
Soft skills aren’t a trend ~ they’re what hiring managers are actively looking for.
It’s easy to get caught up in qualifications, certifications, + years of experience. But employers are increasingly prioritizing skills like problem-solving, communication, + adaptability ~ all of which can be learned + demonstrated in countless roles.
✅ Fix it: Start identifying the core soft skills you’ve used across roles. Think about that time you led a tough conversation, redesigned a process, or brought people together to solve a challenge. Those moments matter.
2. UNDERESTIMATING SOFT SKILLS (AKA TRANSFERABLE SKILLS)
Confidence is an inside job. Stop waiting for someone else to give you permission.
Many job seekers hold back from applying to a job they really want + know they could do….or asking for a raise because they’re waiting to be “ready” or waiting for someone to see their value.
Here’s the truth: no one’s coming to do that for you.
✅ Fix it: Validate yourself. If you saw your resume with someone else’s name on it, would you be impressed?
If the answer is yes ~then start acting like it.
3. WAITING FOR EXTERNAL VALIDATION
4. COPYING + PASTING YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION
You are not the copy + paste of your job description. It’s time to stop playing small.
One of the most common resume mistakes? Listing tasks instead of impact. Hiring managers aren’t just looking for what you were told to do ~ they want to know what you actually accomplished.
✅ Fix it: Highlight outcomes, not just responsibilities. Ask: What changed because I was in that role? What did I improve, streamline, lead, or solve?
5. COPYING + PASTING YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION
What are you really afraid of ~ being rejected or getting the job + then having to rise to the challenge?
Fear of rejection is real. But fear of success ~ of landing the job + needing to stretch into a new version of yourself ~ is often the deeper fear. Honestly, it’s keeping a lot of you stuck.
✅ Fix it: Get honest about what’s really holding you back. If it’s fear of stepping up, lean into the discomfort. That’s where growth lives.
Final Thought: Follow the Butterflies
If the idea of a new role gives you butterflies ~ it’s probably worth chasing. Your transferable skills are not buried. They’re right there in your story ~ you just need to learn how to uncover them, claim them, + communicate them with confidence.
Question for you ~ If your career looked exactly the same a year from now, would you be proud? Happy? Engergized?
If the answer is no, it’s time to stop playing small.
So where do you start?
Listen to the latest episode of The Career Fuel podcast! We dropped ‘Your Skills Are More Transferable Than You Think ~ Here’s How To Prove It’ yesterday + it’s a mirror of what I’ve written about above with a few other killer nuggets you need.
Need to sit in the quiet + self reflect for a hot minute?
Grab my Career Clarity Journal + dig in! It’s 50 pages of goodness that will show you the way!
When I worked 1:1 with career seekers, all of the clarity, confidence + mindset shifts came from what you’ll find inside the pages of the Career Clarity Journal.
It’s what helped Pastor Mike go from a $29,500/year salary to a $90,000/year salary in 2022 + most recently to a $110,000/year salary.
It’s what helped Priya go from unemployment benefits, food stamps + using the internet at the library to apply for jobs, to landing a $70,000 role with a company she had been chasing for years.
It’s also what helped Tara go from $0 income during the pandemic as a personal trainer to a Legal Assistant making $60,000 without going back to school + it also allowed her to stay in her family home without outside financial support.
We are changing lives over here + we are committed to helping you change yours!