Best examples of discussing previous experience in career changes

Real examples of discussing previous experience in career changes

Let’s start where interviewers start: with your story. Below are real-world style answers you can customize. Each example of discussing previous experience in career changes is built around the same structure:

• Brief context of your old role
• The thread that connects old role to new field
• Specific skills and results that transfer
• Why this new path makes sense now

You’ll see that the best examples don’t apologize for the change. They explain it.

Example 1: Teacher transitioning into instructional design

This is one of the best examples of discussing previous experience in career changes because it shows how to reframe a familiar role into a strategic asset.

Sample answer:

“I spent seven years as a middle school science teacher, where my main focus was turning complex ideas into something students could actually use. Over time, I realized the part I loved most wasn’t just teaching live, but designing the lessons, activities, and digital resources behind the scenes.

In my last role, I redesigned our entire 8th-grade curriculum using interactive modules and short video explainers. Test scores went up 18% over two years, and teachers in other grades adopted my materials. That experience pushed me to complete a certificate in instructional design and learn tools like Articulate 360 and Canvas.

So while my title has been ‘teacher,’ my day-to-day has already included needs analysis, content design, and user feedback — all core to this instructional designer role. Now I’m excited to bring that experience to a broader audience in a corporate setting.”

Why this works:

The candidate doesn’t just say “I taught.” They highlight curriculum design, measurable outcomes, and new tools — all directly relevant to instructional design. This is a strong example of discussing previous experience in career changes because it:

• Translates classroom work into design language
• Uses numbers to show impact
• Explains the pivot without sounding defensive

Example 2: Retail manager moving into project management

Retail careers build serious leadership and coordination skills, but candidates often undersell them. Here’s a better way.

Sample answer:

“For eight years, I managed a high-volume retail store with a team of 25. On paper, that sounds like schedules and customer service, but in reality, it was continuous project work.

For example, I led three seasonal store rebrands, each with tight timelines, cross-functional coordination with merchandising and marketing, and detailed rollout plans for my team. For our last holiday season, I created a step-by-step implementation plan that cut setup time by 30% and reduced overtime costs by 12%.

That’s what led me to formalize my skills with a project management certificate and hands-on practice using tools like Asana and Jira. So while my background is retail, the core of my work has been planning, execution, and risk management — the same skills this project coordinator role requires.”

Why this works:

This example of discussing previous experience in career changes shows how to:

• Rename common tasks (scheduling, store resets) as project work
• Highlight planning and cost savings
• Connect the dots between past responsibilities and the new role

For more on project management skills employers value, see resources from the Project Management Institute.

Example 3: Administrative assistant transitioning into HR

Admin roles often sit at the center of communication and process — perfect raw material for HR.

Sample answer:

“In my current role as an administrative assistant for a 60-person department, I’ve become the unofficial point person for onboarding and employee support. I coordinate new hire paperwork, set up accounts, schedule orientation, and track training completion.

Over the last two years, I also built a simple onboarding checklist and FAQ that cut new hire questions to our managers by about 40%. I enjoyed that work enough that I completed an online HR certificate and started partnering with our HR generalist on basic employee relations cases and policy updates.

While my title has been administrative assistant, a big part of my work has already been HR-adjacent — onboarding, maintaining records, and supporting employees. Moving into a formal HR coordinator role feels like a natural extension of what I’ve already been doing, with more structure and impact.”

Why this works:

This is one of the best examples of discussing previous experience in career changes into HR because it:

• Shows the candidate has already been doing pieces of the new job
• Demonstrates initiative (building a checklist, earning a certificate)
• Positions the change as a logical next step, not a random switch

For guidance on HR competencies and career paths, the Society for Human Resource Management offers helpful resources.

Example 4: Journalist moving into content marketing

Media and marketing are closer cousins than they look on a resume.

Sample answer:

“I spent six years as a journalist covering business and technology. My job was to understand complex topics quickly, interview stakeholders, and turn that into clear, engaging stories on tight deadlines.

Over time, I started collaborating more with our branded content team and realized I enjoyed helping organizations tell their stories just as much as reporting on them. I’ve since completed several content marketing courses, built a portfolio of case studies and blog posts for small businesses, and learned tools like Google Analytics and basic SEO.

The way I see it, content marketing still starts with the same core skills I’ve used as a journalist: research, storytelling, and audience awareness. The difference is that now I’m applying those skills to support business goals like lead generation and brand awareness, which is exactly what this content marketing role is focused on.”

Why this works:

This example of discussing previous experience in career changes:

• Connects journalism skills directly to marketing outcomes
• Shows the candidate has already tested the new field
• Highlights both creative and analytical sides (storytelling + analytics)

For updated trends in digital content and marketing, check out research from Pew Research Center and digital strategy programs at schools like Harvard Extension School.

Example 5: Hospitality professional moving into customer success in tech

Customer-facing work in hospitality translates extremely well to SaaS customer success roles.

Sample answer:

“I’ve spent the last five years in hotel operations, most recently as a front office supervisor. My day revolved around solving problems quickly, keeping guests informed, and coordinating with housekeeping, maintenance, and events to deliver a consistent experience.

One project I’m proud of was redesigning our check-in script and follow-up process based on guest feedback. Within six months, our guest satisfaction scores for check-in and first 24 hours improved by 15%, and our online reviews mentioned staff helpfulness much more often.

As I started working more with our property management software and guest communication tools, I realized I enjoyed the systems side as much as the face-to-face work. That’s what led me to pursue a transition into customer success in tech. The core of both roles is the same: understanding customer needs, setting clear expectations, and following through — now I’ll just be doing that with a software product instead of a physical property.”

Why this works:

This is a strong example of discussing previous experience in career changes because it:

• Reframes hospitality as structured customer lifecycle management
• Uses data (satisfaction scores) to show impact
• Shows familiarity with software and systems, not just people skills

Example 6: Accountant moving into data analytics

Here’s how to handle a shift that looks technical on both sides, but with a different focus.

Sample answer:

“As a staff accountant, I’ve spent the last four years working with large datasets, reconciling accounts, and identifying discrepancies. Over time, I found myself more interested in the patterns behind the numbers than in the closing process itself.

I started taking online courses in SQL, Python, and data visualization, and I used those skills to automate parts of our monthly reporting. For example, I built a dashboard that pulled data from multiple spreadsheets and highlighted variance trends for our leadership team. That cut manual reporting time by about 8 hours per month and gave managers a clearer view of spend patterns.

Moving into a data analyst role is a natural extension of what I already do: ask questions of the data, look for trends, and present findings in a way non-technical stakeholders can act on. I’m excited to focus more on analysis and insight, rather than just compliance and reporting.”

Why this works:

This example of discussing previous experience in career changes:

• Shows self-driven upskilling in current tools (SQL, Python)
• Ties past work to business decisions, not just accounting tasks
• Frames the move as focusing on the part of the job they already did best

For up-to-date data skills and learning paths, explore resources from Data.gov and university data science programs such as those listed on National Center for Education Statistics.

How to build your own examples of discussing previous experience in career changes

Let’s turn this into something you can actually use. When you build your own answer, think in three simple moves.

1. Rename your old tasks in the language of the new field

In almost every strong example of discussing previous experience in career changes, you’ll notice a translation step. People don’t say, “I answered phones.” They say, “I managed inbound requests and triaged issues to the right teams.” Both are true, but one sounds a lot closer to operations or customer success.

Ask yourself:

• If someone in my target field did this task, what would they call it?
• What software, tools, or methods did I use that are also used in the new field?
• How can I describe my work in terms of outcomes, not just activities?

Look back at the teacher-to-instructional-designer example. “Lesson planning” quietly becomes “curriculum design” and “needs analysis.” That’s not spin; it’s speaking the language of the new role.

2. Pull out 2–3 proof stories with numbers

Every one of the best examples of discussing previous experience in career changes includes a short proof story:

• A project you led or improved
• A process you streamlined
• A result you can quantify, even roughly

You don’t need perfect data. Estimate when you must, but be honest and conservative. Think about:

• Time saved (hours per week, days per month)
• Money saved or revenue increased
• Customer or user satisfaction scores
• Error rates reduced

Even in fields like healthcare or education, where privacy and ethics matter, you can still talk about aggregate improvements, just as organizations like NIH and CDC do when they report outcomes.

3. Explain why the change makes sense now

Interviewers are trying to assess risk. They want to know you won’t bolt in six months. Strong examples of discussing previous experience in career changes always include a short, clear reason for the timing:

• You discovered a part of your current job you enjoy most, and the new field focuses on that
• You tested the new field through courses, freelance work, volunteering, or side projects
• You see long-term growth and alignment with your interests and strengths

Keep it honest and forward-looking. Instead of, “I’m burned out,” try, “I realized the part of my work I’m most energized by is X, and this role lets me focus more on that.”

Common mistakes when discussing previous experience in career changes

When people struggle in these conversations, it’s usually not because their background is wrong. It’s because the story is off. Watch out for these patterns.

Apologizing for your background

You don’t need to say, “I know my experience isn’t directly relevant.” The best examples of discussing previous experience in career changes are confident and matter-of-fact. Assume your background has value — your job is to explain it.

Giving a biography instead of a focused story

“I started my career in…” followed by a long timeline loses people. Keep it short. One or two sentences of context, then jump straight to the skills and results that match the job in front of you.

Ignoring the job description

Every strong example of discussing previous experience in career changes is tailored. If the posting mentions stakeholder communication five times, your story should include a moment where you managed expectations, communicated changes, or resolved conflicts.

Print the job description, grab a highlighter, and mark:

• Repeated skills or responsibilities
• Tools and software mentioned
• Phrases like “you will be responsible for…”

Then make sure your answer mirrors that language where it’s honest to do so.

Over-explaining your motives

You don’t need a long emotional backstory. One or two sentences on why you’re changing careers is enough. Spend more time on what you bring to the role than on why you’re leaving the old one.

Short, adaptable template you can plug your story into

To create your own example of discussing previous experience in career changes, start with this simple script and fill in the blanks:

“In my previous role as a [old role], I spent most of my time doing [2–3 core responsibilities], which meant I was regularly [new-field-friendly skill], [new-field-friendly skill], and [new-field-friendly skill].

One project I’m proud of was [brief project or result], where I [what you did] and as a result we [measurable or observable outcome]. That experience led me to explore [new field] more seriously, so I [courses, certifications, side projects, volunteering].

Even though my background is in [old field], the core of my work has been [core transferable theme], which lines up well with this [new role] because [1–2 direct connections to job description].”

You can adjust the length up or down, but keep that structure: past context, proof story, bridge to the new role.

FAQ: examples of discussing previous experience in career changes

How long should my answer be when discussing previous experience in a career change?
Aim for about 60–90 seconds. That’s long enough to give a clear example of discussing previous experience in career changes, but short enough to keep your interviewer engaged. You can always add detail if they ask follow-up questions.

Can I mention unrelated jobs at all, or should I skip them?
You can mention them briefly, but only through the lens of transferable skills. Even a seemingly unrelated role can become a strong example of discussing previous experience in career changes if you focus on skills like communication, problem-solving, or leadership that apply to the new field.

What is one simple example of framing a very different job in a new field?
Let’s say you were a barista applying for an entry-level operations role. Instead of saying, “I just made coffee,” you might say, “I managed high-volume customer queues during peak hours, coordinated with team members to prioritize orders, and monitored inventory levels to prevent shortages.” That short answer is a powerful example of discussing previous experience in career changes because it highlights operations, coordination, and attention to detail.

Should I talk about why I’m leaving my old field in detail?
Keep it brief and positive. One or two sentences is enough. Then shift quickly to what excites you about the new field and how your previous experience supports your success there. The best examples of discussing previous experience in career changes always spend more time on value than on backstory.

Do I need certifications or courses to make my examples credible?
Not always, but they help. Even a short online course or workshop can show commitment. Pairing that with a clear example of discussing previous experience in career changes — where you show how you’ve already used related skills — can make you a much more confident and convincing candidate.