What Are Transferable Skills and Why Are They Important?
Not sure you have the right skills for your next job? Learn about transferable skills and how you can use them to ace your next interview.
In today’s career landscape, it is common for the modern jobseeker to pursue several career paths within their lifetime. In the past, many people chose to stay in their careers for most of their lives. Nowadays, it is quite a different situation. People are choosing to reinvent themselves professionally more than ever before, which means they must evaluate the skills they can bring into a new field of work.
The good news is there is an increasingly growing demand for transferable skills across numerous industries. If you're looking for a career change or an entry-level job position, or you've been out of the workforce for years, chances are, you have valuable transferable skills that you don't even know about.
So, what are transferable skills, and how can you use yours? Read on, and we'll discuss further what they are, why they're essential, and how you can highlight them in your job search.
What Are Transferable Skills?
Transferable skills are a core set of soft skills, talents, and abilities that you've picked up over time. You can learn and develop these skills through numerous experiences such as:
- studying at school, college, or university
- previous job positions
- volunteering or charity work
- work placements
- internships
- community work
- hobbies or personal interests
You may not realise it, but you've already developed a wide range of transferable skills that can be applied to almost any industry. For example, you may have previously worked in customer service and are now looking to progress into sales jobs. You're likely to have learned excellent communication and problem-solving skills while dealing with customers and vendors. These skills will be highly valued in a new sales environment.
Or maybe you only have experience volunteering in a nursing home where you had to be resilient and show empathy to the residents. These are excellent transferable skills you can bring into a support worker job.
Transferable Skills Examples
By now, you may be wondering what the most sought-after transferable skills are. Before you start applying to jobs, take the time to think about which skills you possess and which skills you may need to develop. It's a good idea to read job descriptions across various industries and see what skills they have in common. This can give you some insight into what transferable skills are and the qualities that employers seek. Some common transferable skills employers value include:
- leadership - effective leaders motivate and inspire others. This transferable skill is highly valued in any organisation. Leadership skills can include attributes such as interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and delegation. These skills show that you can manage and assign tasks, solve team problems, and set clear and attainable goals.
- problem-solving - this is a highly transferable skill to own. Obstacles arise all the time, and companies need employees who can handle them efficiently and calmly. Problem-solving is the ability to assess a situation and implement an effective solution. This skill drives innovation and productivity and can be used in any industry.
- communication - communication is the most in-demand transferable skill. Employers place a high value on this skill because employees who can communicate effectively can work well with others and move projects forward. You know you are a good communicator when you can read body language, actively listen, and talk to a diverse group of people with ease and confidence.
- emotional intelligence and empathy - emotional intelligence is otherwise known as EQ (emotional quotient) and can be described as the ability to perceive and understand feelings and emotions. Having EQ and empathy helps build strong relationships with clients and co-workers. Most jobs involve working with other people, so keeping your cool under pressure while working with a diverse group of people is a desirable skill for employers.
- adaptability and resilience - employers are more likely to hire candidates who can learn new skills quickly and with a positive attitude. If you can adapt to changes and ensure that your work is carried out efficiently even as demand increases, you will stand out from the competition.
- teamwork - employers want to know that you can work well with others towards a common goal. Effective teamwork requires many qualities such as communication, empathy, and active listening. If you can provide teamwork examples in your interview, you can gain a step ahead of the rest.
Why Are Transferable Skills Important?
Transferable skills contribute to your success and the company you work for. These skills will allow you to take control of your career path as long as you invest and put the effort into developing them. Employers are becoming more flexible when recruiting staff as they know there is no "perfect fit.” However, highlighting your transferable skills with strong examples will help you stand out from the crowd.
Transferable skills can bring various benefits for candidates and employers, such as:
- flexibility – when you have a diverse skill set, employers know that you will be able to complete multiple tasks with ease. This will set you apart from other candidates and show that you have greater flexibility in your work abilities.
- portability – you can bring transferable skills wherever you go. As you advance, your skills will improve, and you will be able to earn new skills as you move forward in your career.
- employability - even if you have no work experience to show, you can build a strong CV around your transferable skills and improve your chances of success. These skills will demonstrate that you can adapt to new work environments.
How to Highlight Your Transferable Skills
Now that you have identified what transferable skills you have, you must ensure that you incorporate them into your CV, cover letter, and in your interview. First, you should write a transferable skills list and jot down how and where you have used them. This will help you when giving real-life examples.
Transferable Skills on Your CV
There are several places that you can include these skills, including:
- yourpersonal statement – this is an introductory greeting describing your experience and accomplishments and is the first thing a hiring manager will most likely read. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and convince the hiring manager why you are the best candidate for the job.
- employment history – describe how you used your skills in previous jobs using specific examples of what you did and what the outcome was.
- skills list – you'll want to read the job description first to see what is required for the position. You can then include skills that are relevant to the role.
Transferable Skills in Your Cover letter
When customising your cover letter for each application, focus on three or four transferable skills from the job description. You can write about how you've used these skills in previous work experiences. Remember to use real-life examples in which you learned or demonstrated these skills. When writing your cover letter you should also state how you used these transferable skills to increase revenue or productivity.
Transferable Skills in Your Interview
At this point, you'll have the opportunity to bring everything together. During your interview, use specific examples of when you've used your transferable skills. This is your chance to tell compelling stories of how you have used your skills successfully in previous work situations. Interviewers may ask you various questions that you can use to highlight your relevant transferable skills. Prepare to answer behavioral-based questions in your interview where you will have to provide a specific example of when you used your skills in the workplace. It's always a good idea to use the STAR technique when answering:
- Situation – Where did it happen?
- Task – What did you want to achieve?
- Action – What action did you take?
- Result – What was the outcome?
Sample Interview Question:
This position for our real estate team is very different from your previous job as a support worker. What transferable skills can you bring to our company, and how will they benefit us?
Sample Answer:
”I understand that this job is completely different from my previous experience in the care industry. However, during my time working as a support worker, I learned valuable skills that I believe can be beneficial to this role. The transferable skills I've acquired are communication, empathy, and problem-solving. Working with vulnerable people can be extremely challenging; therefore, the ability to cope well in stressful situations was crucial to the job.
Daily, I had to find creative solutions to issues concerning patients and staff members. My job involved actively listening and communicating with a diverse group of people while showing empathy. In real estate, I’m aware that you have to deal with different clients all day and solve complex issues. My strong ability to perceive and understand the feelings of others can help build strong relationships with clients and co-workers.”
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