I recently had the opportunity to lead a Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM™) alumni roundtable focused on transitioning your learning and development (L&D) career. The roundtable was chock full of sage advice, lessons learned and poignant questions about how to be successful during career shifts. Whether you’re a seasoned L&D professional looking for a change, you’ve recently experienced a layoff or termination, or you’re a newcomer interested in finding your footing in L&D, transitioning your career comes with a set of common challenges that can feel difficult to navigate. As such, I’m dedicating this column to sharing some of the wisdom shared during that roundtable.

1.      Do Your Research

First, ask yourself, “What aspects of L&D am I passionate about? Are there specific industries or sectors that intrigue me?” Next, survey your extended L&D network — review their job titles and talk to them about what’s great (and not so great) about the work they do. Be sure to assess your current skills, strengths and weaknesses in the context of the possibilities. Training Industry offers a self-assessment based on our Training Manager Competency Model; this is a great starting point if your career goals relate to L&D management.

Once you’ve identified your career goals and your current skills, you’re ready to start applying for jobs. But don’t neglect research at this stage. Investigate the company, its mission and vision statements, its annual report and any recent press releases. Consider the implications of each for its L&D department and initiatives.

2. Lean Into Your Strengths and Prepare Examples

One of the biggest challenges transitioning careers relates to drawing connections between previous experiences and new positions. To identify your transferable skills, you have to understand your current skill set and then compare your strengths against the skills needed in the job role you’re seeking. Make a list of your skills and review the list side-by-side with the job posting to map out connections. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box either — some of your experiences may not seem relevant (e.g., volunteering in your child’s classroom), but it’s worth considering the unique skills and strengths you demonstrated (e.g., managing competing needs and demands, assessing different skill levels and adjusting accordingly, etc.).

Once you’ve got your list of transferable skills and experience, you can prepare examples and practice conveying those examples in a clear and compelling way that emphasizes their relevance. Do this with colleagues, friends and family and at networking events.

3. Presentation Matters: Seek Feedback From Your Network

Finally, don’t neglect presentation. By designing an impactful resume and a LinkedIn profile that showcases your transferable skills, you’ll have a better chance of standing out from other applicants. Make sure to ask trusted colleagues and friends to review your resume, cover letter and other application materials and consider investing in a service or coach who can help by offering feedback on your application package.

As you’re applying for new positions, don’t forget to tailor your applications and cover letters to the specific role you’re applying for. By customizing your messaging, you can demonstrate how your skills and experiences are a perfect fit for the role you’re pursuing.

I hope that these tips help to get you started in your career transition! One final tip: Don’t be discouraged if you face rejection along the way. Transitioning careers can be challenging, but persistence and adaptability are key. Use each rejection as an opportunity to refine your approach and continue learning.