Transferable Skills

Important Information on Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are those talents you have accumulated over the years through past jobs, hobbies, college course work and other places that could be helpful to a potential employer but are not directly related to the position you are applying for. When you seek employment, you may find a job advertisement that is something you know you can do, but you may not have experience directly related to that job. This is when transferable skills come in handy for landing the job.

Employers want to know what exactly it is that you can do that will directly benefit their company. This is their utmost concern. By writing your resume in a particular way that highlights your strongest points and attracts the attention of the employer, you stand a far better chance of securing the position.

How to determine what your transferable skills are

Think back through the years to everything you have done, from school to hobbies to volunteer work and actual jobs you have held. Make a list of everything, even if you believe it may not be of any value right now. For example, if you have waited tables at a local restaurant, you most likely have good people skills and are adept at multi-tasking. These talents can apply in a variety of career fields. From this, you could possibly be a good candidate for an entry-level marketing job.

Perhaps you have worked as a customer service representative, using a computer and telephone. These skills would definitely be an asset if you were to apply for an administrative secretarial position! The trick to using transferable skills on your resume is to write them in a way that relates directly to the position.

Examples of transferable skills

Below you will find several examples of this to help you understand how many things you have learned through life can be transferred to your career.

Do you communicate with others well? Good communication skills are a plus in many career opportunities.

Have you coached a softball team or been president of a local club? You may want to list “exceptional leadership skills” on your resume.

Multi-task
Research
Manage finances
Patience
Team player

These are just a few examples of characteristics or talents you may possess that will benefit you in your job search. The most important thing you can do is sell your skills to a potential employer! When you submit a resume, you are actually marketing yourself – your skills, qualifications and abilities. Include transferable skills on your resume, then read it through the eyes of a potential employer. If you were an employer, would you be impressed? With just a little tweaking, your transferable skills can shine a positive light on you as a possible job candidate.

If you are going in a totally different direction with your career, you may want to perform a little research on those that best suit your skill set. Assess your talents and abilities, and seek out those jobs that require the skills you already have.