Networking is a crucial part of career growth, especially for emerging project managers and experienced professionals pivoting into the field. But what if you’re unsure of what skills and abilities you bring to the table in these professional conversations? This is where your transferable skills come into play. Your ability to communicate effectively, lead with confidence, and solve problems creatively are not just assets to project management—they’re the foundation of meaningful connections.
Here we’ll explore how transferable skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving can elevate your networking efforts and position you as a strong candidate for project management roles. We’ll also discuss actionable ways to showcase these skills when networking in person or online.
The Importance of Transferable Skills in Networking
Transferable skills—abilities developed in one role or industry that can be applied in another—are often the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. These skills help you confidently communicate your value to potential employers, mentors, or professional connections during networking conversations.
When transitioning into project management, transferable skills like leadership, organization, and collaboration are especially relevant. They allow you to demonstrate your potential as a project manager even if you’re coming from a different industry or have limited formal PM experience.
For example, effective communication isn’t just a skill—it’s an art that strengthens your ability to network. The way you articulate your past experiences and accomplishments will influence how others perceive your capabilities and willingness to grow in the project management field.
For instance, after learning that I wasn’t selected for a project manager role I interviewed for, I took a proactive step and reached out to the hiring manager to request feedback on my interview, skills, and readiness for project management roles. Not only did I receive valuable and constructive feedback, but I also made the bold move to request coaching and mentorship from the hiring manager—and to my surprise, my request was granted!
I shared my experience as an example of how I approached an opportunity to expand my network and create a learning opportunity aligned to my career goals. I leveraged my communication skills by asking appropriate questions and articulating my interest in project management and how I want to drive and create impact in a project manager role.
Key Transferable Skills to Improve Networking
Here are some of the top transferable skills that can elevate your networking game and their relevance to project management roles:
Communication
Why It Matters: Strong communication is at the heart of both networking and project management. Networking often begins with introducing yourself, explaining your career goals, and building rapport. Effective communicators are more likely to leave lasting impressions on new connections.
How to Showcase: When networking, practice active listening, articulate your goals clearly, and ask thoughtful questions to show genuine interest in the person you're speaking with.
At the beginning of my coaching and mentoring sessions, I openly shared my career goals, highlighted my strengths, and acknowledged the areas where I needed professional growth. In the spirit of honesty and collaboration, I also communicated the challenges and pain points I was experiencing in my career at the time.
Leadership
Why It Matters: Leadership demonstrates your ability to guide, influence, and inspire others—traits highly sought after in project managers. Networking allows you to showcase leadership in the way you approach conversations and build relationships.
How to Showcase: Share stories of how you’ve led initiatives, managed teams, or solved challenges in your previous roles during conversations.
During my mentorship and coaching sessions, I approached each meeting with a clear agenda of topics to discuss. This allowed me to demonstrate my ability to lead and take ownership of initiatives—an important quality I wanted to showcase, especially since I was the one who actively sought out the mentorship opportunity.
Problem-Solving
Why It Matters: Project management is all about resolving challenges, and problem-solving is a skill that stands out in networking discussions. Potential employers or mentors want to know how you think on your feet and navigate roadblocks.
How to Showcase: Highlight examples of how you’ve approached and resolved complex issues in your career. Focus on the outcome and what you learned.
In the spirit of transparency, I openly shared the challenges and complex issues I had encountered throughout my career. I discussed both the successes and shortcomings of my problem-solving approaches, highlighting the valuable lessons I had learned along the way.
Adaptability
Why It Matters: The ability to adapt to change is critical in project management. Similarly, networking often requires adapting to different personalities, industries, or opportunities.
How to Showcase: Share how you’ve embraced change in your career, such as transitioning between industries or taking on new responsibilities.
Pivoting in my career was not unfamiliar territory. I shared my journey, starting with my years in the non-profit sector working on international development projects, then transitioning to address social development issues in the United States. This shift eventually led me to the public sector, where I spent five years focusing on economic development and capital projects, before ultimately pivoting into project management.
Organization
Why It Matters: Organizational skills signal your ability to manage priorities and keep things running smoothly—whether it’s a project or your professional network.
How to Showcase: Discuss how you stay organized, whether through tools, strategies, or habits that ensure success in your professional life.
My mentorship and coaching sessions provided a space for guidance and empowerment on my journey to project management. I was encouraged to critically evaluate my professional goals, interests, and abilities, which ultimately sharpened my readiness for a career in project management.
Maximizing Your Transferable Skills for Effective Networking
1. Tailor Your Networking Approach to Your Skills
Before reaching out to someone, consider how your transferable skills align with their industry or role. This gives you a talking point to show how your background is relevant to their world.
2. Be Story-Driven in Your Conversations
Stories are powerful tools. When meeting someone new, share brief, impactful anecdotes about how you’ve used your transferable skills in past roles to achieve success.
3. Leverage Online Platforms
Platforms like LinkedIn allow you to highlight transferable skills in your profile and connect with professionals in project management. Use posts or comments to share insights that showcase your expertise and passion for the field.
4. Engage in Mutual Value Exchange
Networking isn’t just about asking for help; it’s about creating value for others. Use your skills to contribute to conversations, offer help, or collaborate on shared interests.
Case Studies - Practical Application of Transferable Skills
Case Study 1: Wangai from Kenya (Education to Project Management)
Wangai spent seven years as a high school teacher in Nairobi, developing exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills. She networked her way into an education technology company by attending webinars and connecting with speakers. By highlighting how her leadership as a teacher translated into managing teams and solving problems, she secured a role as a Project Coordinator in their curriculum development team.
Case Study 2: Lucas from Costa Rica (Retail to Project Management)
Lucas worked as a retail store manager in San José for six years, where he honed his skills in customer service, problem-solving, and team leadership. Through LinkedIn, he connected with professionals in logistics and showcased his ability to adapt and manage high-pressure environments. His transferable skills helped him land a Junior Project Manager role in a transportation company, overseeing small-scale logistics projects.
Your Strength Lies in Your Skills and Abilities
Networking is about more than exchanging business cards or adding connections on LinkedIn—it’s about building genuine relationships that open doors to new opportunities. As an emerging project manager, your transferable skills are your superpower. Use them to not only build meaningful connections but also to position yourself as a strong candidate for PM roles.
If you’re ready to leverage your skills and take your project management career to the next level, let’s connect! Follow my blog for more tips, and feel free to share your networking success stories in the comments below.
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