Career switchers assume they start from zero. The opposite is usually true.

Your domain is your leverage

A nurse moving into health-tech, a teacher into ed-tech, a designer into product: you bring context that new graduates cannot. Lead with that context.

Build one credible proof

You do not need a full portfolio. You need one real project that shows you can do the work. Depth beats breadth for a switcher.

Target the bridge role

Look for roles where your old domain and your new skill overlap. That is the fastest on-ramp, and the least competitive.