In Step 3, we looked at how to research the job market to find where the opportunities live. Now, it’s time for a reality check.
Step 4 is about Assessing Your Skills and Gaps.
Think of your career journey like a GPS: You know where you are (your current experience) and you know your destination (your target job from Step 3). Step 4 is simply calculating the route in between.
Many people feel stuck here, not because they aren't qualified, but because they don't clearly see which skills they can carry over and which ones they truly need to learn. Here is how to perform an honest inventory and build a bridge to your new career.
1. Inventory Your "Inventory"
Most people underestimate what they already bring to the table. Before you worry about what you don't have, list what you do have. Break your skills into three buckets:
Hard Skills: Teachable, measurable abilities like data analysis, Python coding, accounting, or foreign languages.
Soft Skills: Interpersonal attributes like adaptability, emotional intelligence, and creativity.
Transferable Skills: The "hidden gems" that work in any industry—project management, public speaking, conflict resolution, or strategic thinking.
💡 LevelShift Insight: If you’re switching from hospitality to tech, you might not have the "hard" coding skills yet, but your "soft" skills in high-pressure problem-solving and customer psychology are massive assets that junior developers often lack.
2. The Skills Gap Analysis
Once you have your own inventory, lay it side-by-side with the job descriptions you found in Step 3.
Ask yourself three questions:
What matches? (Highlight these—this is your "Selling Point" list).
What is missing? (This is your "Learning List").
What is "halfway there"? (Skills you have but need to upgrade, like moving from basic Excel to advanced SQL).
Many people assume they are "not qualified" when they actually meet 60–70% of the requirements. Seeing it on paper turns a vague fear into a solvable math problem.
3. Prioritize Your Learning (Don't Do It All)
You don't need to learn everything at once. You will burn out. Instead, categorize your gaps:
The Non-Negotiables: The "Must-Haves" in every job description. Focus your energy here first.
The Nice-to-Haves: Skills that make you stand out but aren't dealbreakers. Save these for later.
The "Learn on the Job" List: Skills you can reasonably pick up once you’ve landed the role (e.g., proprietary company software).
💡 Mindset Shift: You don’t need to be perfect to apply; you just need to be proficient in the core requirements.
4. Create a Realistic Roadmap
If you are moving into a technical field with zero background, you won't be "ready" in two weeks. Be honest about your time and resources.
A realistic roadmap often looks like this:
Months 1-3: Foundation (Certifications, bootcamps, or online courses).
Months 4-6: Portfolio building (Applying what you learned to real or mock projects).
Months 7+: Networking and active job hunting.
In the current market, competency often matters more than credentials. Look into micro-credentials and specialized certificates rather than assuming you need a whole new degree.
The Bottom Line
Assessing your gaps isn't about pointing out your weaknesses—it’s about empowering your growth. When you know exactly what you’re missing, the "overwhelming" feeling of a career change disappears, replaced by a clear to-do list.
Not sure which of your current skills are your strongest?
Don't waste time guessing. The LevelShift Career Test is designed to pull out your natural strengths and align them with the right career priorities, so you know exactly where to start your gap analysis.
👉 Take the LevelShift test and start building the skills for a career that fits you.