Blog, Career Advice, CV Writing in Kenya

Written by Brenda Adanga

After 12 years in corporate banking, Peter was terrified of making a move. He thought he was too specialised. Too old. Too deeply embedded in one sector. He was wrong on every count and 3 months later, he had an offer he’d never imagined possible.

The Biggest Myth About Career Transitions

Most professionals considering a sector change believe they are starting from zero. This belief is almost always wrong — and it’s costing people years of career satisfaction and earning potential. Skills are transferable. What requires work is the translation not the skills themselves.

Peter’s Translation Table

🔄 Banking to Fintech: “Loan portfolio management” becomes “Credit product development and risk framework design”

🔄 Banking to NGO: “Client relationship management” becomes “Stakeholder coordination and partner engagement”

🔄 Banking to Consulting: “Risk modelling and regulatory compliance” becomes “Financial risk advisory and governance frameworks”

🔄 Banking to Development Finance: “Structured finance” becomes “Development finance instruments and blended finance mechanisms”

The 4 Steps to a Successful Sector Transition

✅ Step 1: Map Your Transferable Skills: List every core skill you’ve used in your current role — not your job titles, your actual capabilities. Financial analysis. Stakeholder management. Process design. Team leadership. These travel.

✅ Step 2: Research the Target Sector’s Language: Read 20 job descriptions in your target sector. Note the keywords, phrases, and priorities that repeat. These are the translation keys.

✅ Step 3: Rebuild Your CV and LinkedIn: Every bullet point, headline, and summary rewritten with the vocabulary of the sector you’re moving into while staying anchored in your real achievements.

✅ Step 4: Build One Bridge Credential: One certification, course, or volunteer role in the new sector that signals genuine commitment. For fintech: digital finance credential. For NGO: volunteer project management. For L&D: CPTD certification.

Peter’s Outcome

Peter accepted an offer at a Series B fintech company as their Head of Credit. Salary: 44% above his banking package. Role scope: broader, more strategic, and in his words ‘the first job I’ve genuinely looked forward to on a Monday morning in years.’

READY TO TAKE ACTION?

Considering a career transition but not sure how to position your background? We specialise in building the narrative that gets professionals hired in new sectors. DM us ‘TRANSITION’ to start. 

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