problem solving is a transferrable skill

10 Transferable Skills for Your Resume [Full List & Examples]

Transferable skills are a set of skills, such as communication, computer literacy, and problem-solving, that come in handy for many jobs and across several industries.

As a job-seeker, the benefits of transferable skills are numerous. 

Not only do transferable skills improve your employability, but they also make it considerably easier for you to change jobs or even a career down the line. 

So, all of this begs the question - what are the most in-demand transferable skills in the market? And how can you let hiring managers reviewing your resume know that you possess them? 

In this article, we’ll answer those questions and more! Here’s what we’re going to cover:

10 Transferable Skills for Any Profession

How to list transferable skills on your resume, 4 benefits of transferable skills.

Let’s dive right in!

There are many transferable skills out there, but not all of them are going to be as helpful in your job search.

Below, we’re going to cover 10 of the most in-demand transferable skills for employers worldwide:

#1. Communication

Communication is arguably the most important transferable skill of them all. 

Whether you’re a writer who needs to communicate a message to your readers, a marketing specialist who needs to communicate an advertising campaign to your client, or an office worker who must communicate with a colleague to complete a task, communication skills are vital. 

Communication is a multi-faceted skill that includes several skills, such as: 

• Oral and written communication
• Non-verbal communication
• Active Listening
• Presentation
• Public-speaking
• Negotiation

#2. Management

Management skills are usually associated with management positions, but that’s not actually the case. In reality, practically any type of professional can benefit from strong management skills. 

In a nutshell, management skills involve being able to effectively handle people, resources, and processes, including your time, plans, projects, and so on.

Here are some of the most in-demand management skills: 

• People management
• Project management
• Time management
• Risk management
• Action planning
• Conflict Resolution

#3. Computer Skills

By 2016, over 70% of US jobs required medium-to-high-level digital skills.  

This means that computer and technical skills are an asset to have even if your job isn’t centered around technology. As such, the more computer skills you master, the higher your chances of getting a better job.

Here are some valuable computer skills for every professional: 

• Office suites (MS Office, iWork)
• Social media
• Database management
• Web (Internet savviness, basic HTML, CMS)
• Troubleshooting
• Equipment installation and configuration
• Fast Typing

#4. Leadership

Leadership includes both the ability to manage and inspire others. Managers are not always great leaders, but leaders almost always make good managers. 

People who’re good at leading are emotionally intelligent , good communicators , and natural-born influencers . They can motivate others to reach their full potential and work together towards common goals. 

Some soft skills related to leadership include: 

• Relationship-building
• Strategic thinking

#5. Problem-Solving

Simply put, problem-solving means you’re able to identify problems successfully, find the root cause behind them, and come up with creative solutions.

Considering there isn’t a single job where you won’t face problems in one way or another, problem-solving skills are a great asset to have. When it comes to managerial, professional, and technical positions , problem-solving skills are essential. 

Problem-solving is a set of skills that includes: 

• Research skills
• Analytical skills
• Critical thinking
• Decision-making skills
• Attention to detail

#6. Collaboration

Collaboration entails working well with others, addressing problems collectively, and putting a group’s goal ahead of personal goals. 

You don’t necessarily need to be working in a team to make good use of collaboration skills. Practically every profession out there requires that you collaborate with people to some extent and, in many cases, work with them toward a common goal. 

This is exactly what makes collaboration so important. 

Some important skills linked to collaboration include: 

• Conflict resolution
• Emotional intelligence

#7. Creativity 

Creativity is typically associated with professional fields such as arts and crafts, architecture , or marketing . 

In reality, though, creativity is essentially about how you view situations and solve problems. Being creative means thinking outside of the box and approaching tasks and challenges inventively. 

This probably explains why the World Economic Forum predicted that, by 2020, creativity would be among the top three skills required from workers.  

#8. Interpersonal Skills 

Interpersonal skills refer to how well you can understand and get along with other people. 

In addition to people-related roles, interpersonal skills also come in handy for individual-focused positions. 

Take, for example, writers. To be a really good writer, you need to be able to:

• Understand and communicate with your audience
• Collaborate with your publishing team
• Understand what people are like

Just like most other transferable skills on our list, interpersonal skills are multi-faceted. Here is what they consist of: 

• Communication

#9. Organization

Organizational skills are a set of soft skills that help you keep track of information, materials, and even your time in such a way that you can tackle short and long-term tasks efficiently.

Organizational skills are among the top skills recruiters are looking for in 2024, primarily because they help employees be more productive, save companies time and money, and facilitate a more positive work environment. 

Here is what organizational skills consist of: 

• Physical organization
• Prioritization
• Goal setting

#10. Adaptability 

Adaptability means being able to adjust to change.

No matter where you work, change is inevitable, whether it’s a change in management, work duties, responsibilities, or even schedule.

If you’re adaptable, you’re more likely to face challenges, unfamiliar environments, or changes in your personal and professional life with a positive attitude. 

Most importantly, you’re also more likely to tackle such situations successfully. 

You may have plenty of transferable skills to land you the job of your dreams, but unless you know how to add them to your resume, the hiring manager won’t be able to tell.

Below, we’ll walk you through how to add your transferable skills to your resume the right way:

#1. Identify Your Transferable Skills 

A national survey of displaced workers found that 57% of them can’t identify their transferable skills with a high degree of confidence. 

If you feel the same way, here’s what you can do.

First things first, you should think about what your last role and the role you’re seeking to get hired for have in common.

Let’s assume, for example, that you’re going for a career change from sales to copywriting . 

The two roles both require you to possess the following skills: 

• Written Communication - Both roles involve communication via text. A salesperson needs to send cold emails, while a copywriter has to write newsletter emails.
• Persuasion - A copywriter needs to create copy that drives sales, while a salesperson needs to be persuasive in person.
• Creativity - Both roles require the person to be creative in their tasks.
• Computer skills - Both jobs require some degree of computer knowledge. For a salesperson, that’s using Customer Management Software, while for a copywriter, that’s publishing content online.

Pretty simple, right?

Alternatively, you can also review the job description of the job you’re applying for and identify what kind of skills are required for the role. 

Finally , once you’ve identified all your top transferable skills, all you need to do is add them to your Skills section and you’re good to go!

#2. Include Your Top Skills In the Resume Summary

The resume summary is a short (three or four sentences long) paragraph positioned at the top of your resume that includes: 

• Your profession and years of experience 
• Your top skills (i.e. hard skills or soft skills)
• One or two noteworthy achievements 

And it looks something like this:

Done right, your resume summary should catch the hiring manager’s attention, show them you’re a relevant candidate for the role, and get them to read the rest of your resume in more detail. 

So, the resume summary is your first chance to describe your transferable skills. 

Here is an example of how you can include transferable skills in your resume summary: 

• Creative and communicative customer support agent with over 6 years of experience seeking a junior-level role in Sales. Skilled in collaborating with others, managing my time effectively, and adapting to different situations. Improved customer retention by over 20% in my previous role by being more empathetic, open, and communicative with customers. 

#3. Back Them Up In Your Professional Experience Section

Last - but not least - you should use your work experience section to prove that you actually possess all the transferable skills you mentioned under your soft skills and in your resume summary. 

After all, anyone can claim they have the transferable skills for the role - not everyone can prove it .

To convince the hiring manager that you possess the transferable skills you listed in your resume, follow our tips below:

• Focus on your achievements instead of your responsibilities. More often than not, hiring managers know exactly what your responsibilities consisted of in previous jobs. What they want to know is how you made a positive impact with your achievements . So, once you’ve decided which transferable skills to include in your resume, write down some achievements from your previous roles that can help back them up. 
• Make your achievements quantifiable. Speaking of achievements, you want to make them as quantifiable as possible. After all, data and numbers are always much more efficient in convincing hiring managers that your achievements are legit but that they can also bring a lot to the table. 
• Use action verbs and power words. Using the same words (e.g. accomplished) will make your resume look dry. Instead, check our article on the best action verbs and power words to make your achievements more impressive. 

Remember the sales to copywriting career change example we mentioned above? 

Here is how the candidate would describe their transferable skills for the copywriting role:  

• Created and presented a pitch deck that secured a $500,000 deal for company X. 
• Boosted sales for the most underperforming product by 40% by developing educational material for prospects.
• Created and edited sales materials, scripts, and technical documents for accuracy and consistency.

The example above effectively highlights and proves the candidate possesses transferable skills like communication, creativity, presentation, and persuasion, all of which are essential for a role in sales.

You’re probably wondering what exactly is it that makes transferable skills so important for employees and employers alike. 

Here are their most noteworthy benefits: 

• Increased employability. A 2018 Mckinsey & Company report found that the need for transferable skills will increase sharply in the next decade, while the need for manual and repetitive tasks will decrease. 
• Guaranteed flexibility. Employers can depend on employees who possess a variety of transferable skills to perform well in various situations and face different challenges. As for you, possessing transferable skills means that changing jobs or even careers will be much easier for you. 
• Career growth. You’ll be more likely to get promoted if you possess some of the transferable skills we’ve mentioned above. 
• More diverse opportunities. 1 in 5 workers changed their line of work entirely over the past year, with half of those changes being permanent. With strong transferable skills, you can make a career change (if you choose to) without being worried about setbacks. 

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap! By now, you should know everything there is to know about transferable skills and how to leverage them to advance your career. 

Before you go and put our tips into practice, let’s go over the main things that we covered in this article: 

• Transferable skills refer to a set of skills that you can transfer from one job to another and from one industry to another. 
• Out of the many transferable skills out there, hiring managers are particularly on the lookout for creativity, communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and organizational skills. 
• How you add transferable skills to your resume matters. Make sure to include only the ones that are relevant to the position you’re applying for and that you back them up with achievements in your work history. 
• Some of the top benefits of transferable skills include higher employability, increased flexibility, and more career opportunities. 

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Transferable Skills Guide: Problem Solving

By Ashley Waldron

A 2017 survey found that many researchers feel they lack formal training in a variety of transferable skills . At Addgene, we've set out to fill this gap by both highlighting that researchers do learn MANY transferable skills while working in the lab and by offering advice on areas where you might need some help. Today in our transferable skills guide : Problem-Solving.

I don’t know about your experience in the lab, but mine was plagued by a steady barrage of problems. Why didn’t my PCR work? Why didn’t my ligation work? Why are there so many bands on my Western Blot? Why are there no bands on my Western Blot? Occasionally, there would be an obvious explanation, but more often than not I had to break down exactly what I had done in order to identify potential sources of error and then decide on a strategy to fix the issue. I was problem solving! 

You might think that being able to figure out what went wrong with a PCR is a pretty niche skill; outside of a lab, where is that going to come in handy? In fact, all of the problem solving that I did in the lab has been invaluable in my more recent positions outside of the lab. Granted, I currently work on the Scientific Support Team here at Addgene, so troubleshooting molecular biology experiments was in the job description, but this skill is not just about reacting to technical issues. This skill also comes into play while puzzling through your broader research questions and designing future experiments. Being able to work through these types of bigger picture problems systematically and logically is as useful for finishing your thesis as it is for helping your team reach an important milestone at work.  

While I was in graduate school and beginning to research non-academic careers, I always felt that descriptions of transferable skills seemed fuzzy or ill-defined. In this article, I try to clarify what people mean when they ask about “problem solving skills” and look at how scientists can develop and highlight these valuable skills. Hopefully, having a better sense for what problem solving entails will help keep you motivated when you’re faced with yet another hurdle in your research journey. 

What are ‘problem solving skills’?

As a part of the Scientific Support team, much of my day is spent helping to resolve problems, but even so, I wasn’t sure how to best define this skillset. After sifting through dozens of career advice articles, I settled on defining problem solving skills as:

One’s ability to logically think through a problem/task/situation, come up with potential solutions, and decide on a course of action that effectively resolves the issue. 

If this sounds like about seven different skills to you, you are not wrong. Problem-solving overlaps heavily with other skills such as critical thinking, decision making, creativity, or data analysis. Conveniently, these are all skills you are already practicing in the lab.   

I like this definition because it helps me see problem solving as a generalizable process. 

• Step One: Identify the problem and gather information to help you understand it.
• Step Two: Come up with and evaluate potential strategies to resolve the problem. 
• Step Three: Decide on a strategy and implement it. 
• Step Four: Assess how effective your strategy was. If you didn’t quite fix everything or revealed another issue in the process, you might need to go back to the beginning, reassess the situation, and try a new strategy.
• Step Five: Share your results. 

Does this process remind you of anything? Perhaps the Scientific Method ? Imagine your problem is just a question you have about the world. You might do some background research to better understand it and come up with several hypotheses on the cause. To test the most likely cause, you implement an experiment designed to fix the problem. Then you assess whether your experiment produced the expected result of resolving the issue. Depending on the particular problem, you might even be expected to write up a report to communicate your findings to your colleagues. So perhaps a better definition of “problem solving skills” is the ability to apply the scientific method to problems in a variety of contexts. 

How do you develop problem solving skills?

Thankfully, as scientists, the scientific method is a core part of our academic training.  Developing strong problem solving skills is just a matter of applying that framework to the myriad challenges we encounter. As you spend time in a lab learning techniques and taking on independent projects, you will inevitably develop problem solving skills passively. But I have always found that taking a conscious or active approach can be hugely helpful not only for developing a skill but also for being able to recognize it as a part of your skill set later on.

If you are new to research and the lab, you may not be able to carry out the entire problem solving process on your own, but you can start by paying attention to how your mentors reach solutions and ask them to explain their logic. Or you can try applying the scientific method to everyday problems in your life. This tactic is a good way to see how transferable these skills really are, while also practicing systematic, logical thinking. 

If you are already a lab veteran at this point, you probably have better developed problem solving skills than you might think. To convince yourself, think back to the last experiment you had to troubleshoot; you probably did not just automatically come to a solution. Consider the thoughts that went through your head as you made observations about the issue, assessed potential protocol modifications, and ultimately decided on the changes to implement. As with any skill, there will always be room to improve. The next time you face a problem, try to be mindful of how you work through it. Ask yourself if you missed any important details. Or challenge yourself to think of more creative solutions. Ultimately, problem solving is less about technical know-how and more about how you approach new challenges.     

Know your strengths!

Research experience presents ample opportunities to practice problem solving skills and learn to apply them flexibly in a range of contexts. As such, scientists are uniquely prepared to be strong problem solvers both in and out of the lab. The next step is to remember that you have these skills when you start applying and interviewing for new positions. Highlighting your problem solving skills can help convince a future employer that you are well equipped to work through challenges from day one in your new position. Of course, there are limits to how far strong problem solving skills alone can take you - just because I can resolve issues effectively does not mean I am qualified to be an astronaut. But, knowing that this skillset is a part of your toolkit is important. Paired with your other skills, both technical and transferable (i.e. teamwork and time management ), your ability to solve problems efficiently and effectively will help you grow in whatever career path you choose. 

Additional resources on the Addgene blog

• Collaborating with others outside of your organization
• Time management
• Managing a team

Resources on Addgene.org

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• Watch our   career videos

Topics: Science Careers , Professional Development

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The Most Important Transferable Skills (With Examples)

• What Are Hard Skills?
• What Are Technical Skills?
• What Are What Are Life Skills?
• What Are Social Media Skills Resume?
• What Are Administrative Skills?
• What Are Analytical Skills?
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Find a Job You Really Want In

Throughout the years of your academics, internships, and jobs you’ve picked up lots of valuable skills and habits that can be useful across many different kinds of jobs. These skills and abilities are called transferable skills.

By definition, transferable skills are not designated to a specific field or occupation, making them soft skills . They can be helpful for graduates fresh from college trying to land their first job, and individuals looking to make a drastic career change .

Key Takeaways:

Transferable skills are skills that can be used in any workplace regardless of the profession.

Having a diverse set of transferable skills makes you more valuable as an employee.

Transferable skills include communication, empathy, management, analytical thinking, and reliability.

Improve your transferable skills by first identifying your strengths and weaknesses.

Transferable skills can be shown when answering behavioral questions during the job interview.

Why Are Transferable Skills Important?

Types of transferable skills, other transferable skills, how to improve your transferable skills, how to highlight your transferable skills during a job search, resume examples highlighting transferable skills, transferable skills frequently asked questions.

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Transferable skills are the qualities you take with you to a new position that will make you a more effective employee.

Transferable skills can be:

Related to work-style

Personality traits

Social skills

Professional habits

Including transferable skills makes your resume stand out, especially for entry-level candidates and career changers . If there’s something that made you a stronger student or employee in your previous position, there’s the possibility it can be transferable to a new job.

Transferable skills will follow you wherever you go, personally or professionally. Having a well-rounded skill set that can be applied to several circumstances makes you a more valuable individual to have around in a greater number of situations.

Naturally, this means those with more impressive and widely applicable transferable skills will have more opportunities in their careers. While other candidates might have a tough time breaking into a new industry, field, or role, those with a hefty set of transferable skills will have more control over their professional destiny.

There are many types of transferable skills, as you can probably imagine from the broad definition of it. Do some serious reflection about what relevant transferable qualities you can bring from previous experiences that will attract recruiter attention and be helpful in your new position .

General skills. There are certain transferable qualities that are almost required as the standard for any profession. These can be dubbed as general skills. They’re usually skills and mindfulness you learned as a student, or in any prior job.

General skills include:

Following instruction

Listening and communication

Arriving to work on time

Assessing your own performance

Basic writing skills

Cooperating in a team scenario

Meeting deadlines

Interpersonal skills. The ability to successfully interact, manage, and work with other people is a powerful asset. Interpersonal skills are transferable across many different vocations and can be an extremely important factor in the quality of work your team produces.

People skills can make you a more likable, effective employee. They can be especially helpful in rounding out applicant profiles for recent graduates with little professional experience. Consider which interpersonal skills you may have developed in classrooms or internships.

Examples of interpersonal skills include:

Strong communication

Motivating co-workers

Being a team-player

Active listening

Customer service

Conflict management and resolution

Cooperating and coordinating with others

Respectfulness

Open-Mindedness

Giving and receiving constructive criticism

Management skills. Leadership skills transfer very well to any new position. Having qualities for strong management doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a CEO with years of experience.

Leadership could be:

Being voted your class president

Captain of a sports team

Managing responsibilities at a part-time job

Founding a college newspaper

No matter how much professional experience you have, taking initiative and leading teams in any capacity can be applicable to a new job.

Management skills in a former job for applicants who are making a career change can greatly improve your resume. Even if the field may seem unrelated, taking on a leadership role in any occupation speaks to your employability and reliability.

Example of management skills include:

Understanding and following a budget

Supplying resources

Giving employees constructive criticism

Acknowledging employees for their accomplishments

Problem-solving

Maintaining schedules

Training new hires

Establishing rapport

Adaptability

Clerical skills. Clerical skills involve the day-to-day tasks that allow a business to run smoothly. These kinds of transferable skills improve productivity, and listing them can make your resume more competitive.

Clerical skills will most often be required in an office setting, however, they can be helpful across many different industries.

Examples of clerical skills include:

Basic computer skills

Analytical thinking

Record keeping

Verbal and written clarity

Typing speed

Utilizing digital calendars

Spreadsheets

Organization

Greeting clients

Managing emails

Research skills. Being able to conduct research that results in productive conclusions and problem-solving is a transferable skill. It can be equally beneficial to entry-level and career change applicants. You may have gained strong research skills in your four years at college.

Similarly, you could’ve spent a lot of time at your previous job perfecting effective research techniques. Make note of these transferable skills to show a hiring manager that you’re prepared to do the work in figuring out the best solutions.

Research skills include:

Setting objectives

Prioritization

Data analysis

Time-management

Taking notes

Fact-checking through reputable resources

Organizing information

Communicating findings

Technical skills. Technical skills are usually hard skills , which may make their placement on a list of transferable qualities confusing. While computer and technical skills usually involve a learning process and field-specific knowledge, they can still be relevant to list on your resume in certain situations.

If you’ve had any exposure to technical skills in school, it can make you appear as a more experienced applicant. If you’re switching your occupation, a hard skill that was required in your previous position may be surprisingly helpful in your new job.

Examples of technical skills include:

Website design

Coding and programming

Data analytics

Social media

Network security

Word processors

Technical support

Troubleshooting

Work ethic. Having a strong work ethic means that you’re prideful in your job, and always make it a priority to meet expectations. Work ethic transcends career path . It’s a quality needed to be successful across the board, and it can make you an ideal candidate for hire.

Find examples of times you displayed a strong work ethic in school or a past job to enhance its impact on your resume.

Examples of a strong work ethic include:

Reliability

Flexibility

Supporting your company’s growth

Professionalism

Showing up prepared and on time

Willingness to learn

Providing your best quality work

Logical reasoning

Negotiation

Emotional-intelligence

Creative thinking

Conflict resolution

Multitasking

Since transferable skills are essentially just soft skills that are valued across industries and roles, the best way to improve your transferable skill set is to focus on building a more solid foundation of soft skills.

While hard skills relate to specific technologies and knowledge of job-specific processes, soft skills relate to your abilities to work with others in a pleasant way.

Here are some ways to start improving your transferable skills today:

Identify your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Start by taking an honest accounting of where you excel and where you could improve. Also consider whether it’s more valuable, professionally, to fix your weaknesses or double down on your strengths and become a master. Different careers favor different strategies, so consider what your professional goals are as well.

Emphasize collaboration. Being able to work as a team is the most important skill in the majority of roles out there. Business can rarely get done alone, so start becoming the ultimate team player at your current job. It’ll pay dividends when you’re highlighting your transferable skills later on in life.

Practice giving and receiving constructive criticism. The biggest pain point of communication for most people involves criticism. Most people don’t like doling out critiques and almost nobody likes hearing about their mistakes. But if you want to become an all-around great professional, the practice of both giving and receiving constructive criticism should be high on your list of priorities.

Get out of your comfort zone . If you hate public speaking, start making it a goal to make at least one contribution during each meeting. If you’re shy about taking initiative, sign up for a leadership role on a project or assignment. Whatever aspect of your job you normally avoid, lean into. It’ll strengthen your transferable skills immensely, and leave you feeling more confident and accomplished.

Take courses. Last but not least, there are plenty of online and in-person courses out there for developing transferable skills. The great thing is that these aren’t exactly skills you need certifications or credentials for, so most of your learning options will be free or very inexpensive.

You have three main avenues for showcasing your transferable skills while you’re on the hunt for a job:

On your resume. Many people wrongly assume that your skills should only come up in your resume’s skills section . While that is one place your transferable skills should appear, it’s not the only place. They should also come up in your resume summary statement and in your professional experience section.

In your summary statement , that might be as simple as using one or two adjectives to describe yourself that highlight your transferable skills, like “determined” or “collaborative.”

In your resume’s professional experience section , be sure to highlight your skills in action rather than simply listing off your day-to-day duties. Focus instead on accomplishments that begin with powerful action verbs. Ideally, you want to include numbers as well, to give the hiring manager or recruiter the full context of your achievements.

In your cover letter. Your cover letter gives you a chance to demonstrate your personality a bit more than your resume. Again, you want to pull inspiration from the job description and your research on the company and the role. Determine which qualities are most valuable to the employer, and then think of examples of times you’ve exhibited those qualities in a professional situation.

During your interview. The most important advice we can give for preparing to show off your transferable skills in an interview involves stories — lots of stories. Interviewers love to ask behavioral questions about your past performance, and the more stories you have that indicate you know how to apply your transferable skills and achieve great results, the better.

Jack Keller Chicago, IL, 77521 | (668)-296-3331 | [email protected] A reliable and positive recent graduate from the University of Chicago with a Bachelors’s in Psychology with a minor in Advertising. Skills in communication and organization. Seeking an entry-level marketing position where I can develop my professional experience. EXPERIENCE Clifton Steakhouse, Chicago, IL Assistant Manager, April 2017-May 2020 Organize a schedule for a team of 10 employees Train new hires Relay excellent customer service Managing inventory Assessing sales Quickly solving issues in service and managing conflict Promoted to assistant manager from a waiter Awarded with two raises over three years UC Student Magazine, Chicago, IL Contributing Member, September 2016-May 2020 Working cohesively with a large group of student and professor contributors Editing Organizing page layout Finding donor support Assisting in brainstorming Meeting publication deadlines EDUCATION The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Advertising September 2016 – May 2020 SKILLS Writing Research Record Keeping Strong Communication Presentation Adaptable

Selena Moore 4431 Beeks Place, Los Angeles, CA, 66217 | (668)-224-1974 | [email protected] Dedicated and ambitious video producer . 5+ years previous experience in administrative work. Skills in organization and time management. Seeking an entry-level video production position where I can utilize my planning skills and develop hands-on experience in video production. Professional Experience Estes Park Dental Practice, Los Angeles, CA Office manager, September 2016-May 2020 Managed an administrative team of 7 Supported company growth Communicated with customers daily Managed emails Filed records Organized meetings Maintained office schedule Provided employee feedback Set up appointments Promoted to management from office associate Lazo amp; Lincoln Architecture, Los Angeles, CA Executive Assistant, June 2015-August 2016 Record and file organization Making travel arrangements Keeping calendars updated Trained 2 employees Helped plan events Answered phone and emails Awarded with a $2,000 annual bonus based on work performance Skills Microsoft Suites Scheduling and Planning Flexibility Managing a team Customer service Organization Time-Management Clerical duties Education University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA B.A. in Political Science, May 2015 Maintained President’s List 2013-2015 (3.5 GPA)

Jessica Barnes 45 Lincoln Ave., Boston, MA, 66123 | (685)-228-8164 | [email protected] Flexible and creative hairstylist with 7+ years of previous experience in high-end salons. Abilities in problem-solving and management. Seeking a stylist position to utilize experience and skills after taking 3 years off to raise a newborn son. Professional Experience New You Salon and Spa, Boston, MA Leading Hair Stylist, September 2014-2017 Direct client communication and scheduling Teamwork with other stylists Discussing goals with clients Creating plans to reach style goals Maintaining inventory Organizing schedule Promoted to leading hair stylist after the first year Lush Locks amp; Company, Boston, MA Associate Stylist, June 2010- August 2014 Responsible for coordinating own appointments Providing customer service Keeping client and invoice records Cutting and dying clients Give suggestions and create discussion to create client’s desired outcome Awarded an annual salary raise of $10,000 Beauty By Design Studios, Boston, MA Junior Stylist, September 2008-June 2010 Assisting senior staff Managing incoming clients Maintaining salon cleanliness Answering phones and emails Greeting clients Giving simple haircuts Skills Product knowledge Styling Professionalism Problem-Solving Creativity Cleanliness Communication Education Boston National Beauty School Certification in Cosmetology and Hairstyling, June 2008 Emory College Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, May 2006

What is the most important transferable skill?

Many transferable skills are important, but the most important may be communication and collaboration. Almost every profession requires some level of communication and collaboration with others. Whether you are dealing with clients, coworkers, or contractors, you need to know how to communicate goals and listen to others. This is fundamental to working together successfully.

What should I do with my transferable skills?

You can always improve your transferable skills. Transferable skills are like tools, they can get dull over time without proper care. Always be mindful of ways to sharpen your transferable skills. The best way to do this is through experience. Look for activities and responsibilities that require you to use your skills more than usual.

Are transferable skills necessary?

Yes, transferable skills are necessary. There is not a single profession that can be done without transferable skills. That is why we call them “transferable”. Humans are social creatures and we do a lot of similar things regardless of the activity, such as solve problems, manage time, or adapt to changes. Having a well rounded set of transferable skills is crucial to being a top notch professional.

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

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25 Transferable Skills Employers Look For

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What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills combine competencies, knowledge and skills that you have gained from the workplace during your career path, from school, internships or elsewhere and take with you to your next employment or career change.

General skills that can be used in different employment roles come under the transferable skills banner; they can be used in various industries and in roles at other seniority levels.

These can be hard skills – technical knowledge like using specific software – and soft skills, the competencies and abilities that are harder to be taught, like active listening and communication.

The top transferable skills that employers value include:

• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Dependability
• Organisation
• Active listening skills
• Critical thinking
• Relationship building
• Team management
• Adaptability
• Analytical skills

Finding the right way to describe your transferable skills in your CV during your job search will demonstrate to potential employers that you can bring the competencies and abilities that are needed for success in the role you are applying for.

Transferable Skills

Tools You’ll Need to Adapt to Any Job

Communication, problem solving and teamwork are all examples of transferable job skills because they can be used in any employed role, your education or vocational training.

As such, it is important that job seekers emphasise their transferable skills within their application documents and during a job interview.

These skills can go a long way to persuading a potential employer that you are the perfect fit for their company, even if you don’t necessarily have the experience.

Transferable skills are the tools you’ll need to adapt to any new job.

List of 20 Transferable Soft Skills for Your CV

There are so many skills that could be considered transferable, even specific software skills, that it would be impossible to list every single one in this article, but there are several that are useful for many different roles.

To decide on the ones to include in your CV, you will need to see exactly what the recruiter is looking for in a candidate.

You can do this by looking at the required skills section of the job description, and highlighting your matching skills when you apply.

1. Leadership

Effective leadership involves taking charge and motivating others to achieve specific goals on an individual, team and company level.

Possessing leadership skills will mean that you can effectively manage groups and delegate responsibilities, plan and coordinate a variety of tasks, solve problems and resolve conflict, make and implement decisions, and coach others.

These skills don’t necessarily have to be workplace-related. They can be acquired through a group project at university, a period of work experience or time spent carrying out voluntary work.

2. Problem-Solving

Every business encounters issues, and if you can demonstrate your ability to solve problems, this will be a major bonus for your application.

Some problems are easier to solve than others, and often they relate to the achievement of goals and the barriers that prevent these goals from being achieved.

Problem-solving skills can also include understanding when to ask for help and getting others with different perspectives on board to take on the challenge.

3. Teamwork

Collaborative working is a must for any organisation. Employers want to see their staff work together toward achieving common goals.

Effective teamwork involves sharing credit and accepting responsibility for your own work, being receptive to the ideas and suggestions of your colleagues, building rapport with staff across all areas of the business and establishing effective communication channels to avoid duplicated work, mistakes or other problems.

4. Active Listening

Really listening to other people is a soft skill that is important in every industry, whether you are dealing with customers, clients or fellow employees.

Active listening includes recognizing body language and non-verbal cues, listening to understand and empathizing with the person you are having a conversation with.

This competency is a popular choice of transferable skills in different job descriptions.

5. Data Analysis

Being able to analyse data is a key task in many different businesses.

From identifying patterns to understanding customer metrics, the ability to evaluate information effectively will contribute in some way to the business.

The complexity of this analysis will depend on the company and the specific role, but an aptitude for interpreting information, extracting results and developing reports is a valuable transferable skill.

An employee should be able to use databases to collect data, analyze it and then interpret the information they have collected.

Data collection and analysis is relevant to many different roles, from finance and IT through to marketing and sales.

6. Communication Skills

Being able to communicate well is perhaps one of the most basic employability skills.

Verbal communication is about communicating clearly and concisely with others, whether it is a customer or colleague.

In the world of work, you will be required to present information to a range of audiences both inside and outside the business. Not all these people will understand your work, so being able to communicate with clarity and articulating your ideas in a logical, organized and effective way is important.

7. Time Management and Organisation

Time management is a way in which you organize and plan your time to carry out specific activities.

Effective time management boosts productivity, meaning that you can complete more work in less time, even when you are working under pressure.

Good time management is about planning your day, minimizing distractions and carrying out regular reviews to make sure that you are making progress.

A significant factor in time management is prioritization, and it is only with practice that you can learn to prioritize your tasks more effectively, focusing on the most urgent tasks rather than less important activities.

8. Work Ethic and Dependability

Having a strong work ethic is often part of your own values. It is based on a personal understanding of taking pride in your work because you want to, rather than the rewards that you may receive.

Demonstrating a positive approach to work and being honest – as well as taking initiative and caring about your co-workers – are all factors that convey a strong work ethic.

In addition, learning new skills, showing a commitment to your employer and being responsible for your own work even when things don’t go as you planned all illustrate a good work ethic.

9. Commercial Awareness

Showing that you understand the marketplace in which your employer operates, as well as knowing what makes a business successful, is a key requirement in many jobs and even more important when applying for graduate vacancies.

Once appointed, you will be able to offer a more tailored level of customer service and support the business better if you demonstrate keen commercial awareness.

This could include:

• Fully understanding the company’s mission and aims
• Demonstrating your knowledge of the sector and your awareness of the economic and political issues that affect the business
• Knowing who the major competitors are
• Understanding the commercial priorities of the business

Your commercial knowledge will come from roles in the same industry or one that is similar, and can also come from education settings, too.

10. Team Management

More than just leading people, team management is a skill that can help build and maintain relationships in the workplace.

Effective team management inspires direct reports and ensures that you can deal with problems in the team as they occur.

A well-managed team works well with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which leads to more accountability, more productivity and ultimately more profit for the company.

11. Interpersonal Skills

A combination of listening and communication skills, interpersonal skills are important for productivity, for connecting with customers and clients, and for leading people.

Interpersonal skills are the driving force behind any team, and candidates with good interpersonal skills will usually be well-regarded by their peers and able to work with people from many different backgrounds. They will be comfortable dealing with top management and with entry-level colleagues.

12. Critical Thinking

Solving a work-related problem, or even a personal one, needs some form of critical thinking to solve it. Critical thinking skills mean thinking outside the box, taking other perspectives into account, and working out the best course of action to take.

Critical thinking skills can come from all sorts of experience, from analysing texts at university to solving problems at your current place of employment, and the structure of thinking is the same wherever you are applying it.

13. Decision-Making

When someone must make a decision, it often falls to those who have the right skills to make the difficult choices.

Decision-making skills are related to critical thinking and problem solving, taking the next step in the process to actually make a change through a decision.

People who are good at making decisions have logically gone through the problem and thought critically about the possible solutions.

14. Conflict Resolution

Most often needed at a management or leadership level, the ability to deal with conflict and work towards a resolution is a critical skill in service industries but also in the workplace itself.

Conflict can happen when a customer is unhappy with a product or service, but it can also happen in the best employee teams. Conflict resolution skills are necessary to ensure that small problems are dealt with quickly so that they don’t snowball – but they are also needed if things get out of hand.

Good conflict resolution skills means taking opposing opinions and thoughts and finding a workable compromise so that all parties feel that they have been listened to, that they matter and so that the problem can be solved as much as possible.

15. Project Management

Aside from the technical skills that go into managing a project, there are soft skills in taking a project and ensuring that it is completed.

Project management skills include being able to work with a team, provide leadership, delegate and deliver feedback. They need to be organised and have a strong work ethic, able to solve problems and make decisions so that the project is delivered as promised, on time and without going over the budget.

16. Public Speaking

Whether you have done a presentation at university, become a speaker at a local group or have performed Shakespeare at an am-dram theatre group, you will have completed some public speaking.

The ability to keep the attention of a group of people and deliver information in an interesting way is what public speaking is all about.

This skill is useful in all sorts of ways, from delivering updates to the management team to selling products or services at industry conferences.

17. Creativity

If you have creative skills, whether that is in art, design, writing or marketing, these can be transferred to other roles across many industries.

Creativity is all about the flow of ideas, using your imagination and trying new things – and this is a skill that is required in many jobs, not just the obvious marketing or graphic design roles.

18. Attention to Detail

Creating error-free work is important in many industries, so an eye for detail is a skill that you can use in almost all job applications.

Candidates with attention to detail will have the ability to spot errors in their own work (and in the work of others), which can save costly mistakes and ensure that all output is completed to the highest standards – whether that is creating invoices and balancing accounts or crafting documents and websites.

19. Relationship Building

Some people have natural networking skills and can ‘work a room’ to make connections and build relationships.

While this is a skill that might be most relevant in a sales role, relationship building is an essential skill when dealing with customers and clients, with direct reports in the team and when reporting to executives and managers.

Relationship building skills allow candidates to demonstrate that they can communicate, negotiate and listen appropriately to form working relationships that benefit the company.

20. Giving Feedback

This soft skill might be considered to be more appropriate for roles like team leader or manager, but the ability to give good, constructive feedback is important in most roles.

Giving feedback is not about being kind, or not telling people bad news, but about phrasing responses to ensure that there can be a positive outcome. This might mean stating that something isn’t working but offering ideas to improve.

Not all feedback needs to be negative; there is some skill needed to give valuable positive feedback in the right way too.

Top 5 Transferable Hard Skills for Your CV

Hard skills are the abilities that you will have learned through study, certification or experience in other roles.

They are often related to technical knowledge about a particular subject.

1. Microsoft Office

Across all industries, the Microsoft Office suite of programs is still one of the most popular choices for office-related creations – and it doesn’t change.

Learning to use the different software and features of Office will give you easily transferable skills in creating documents and slideshows, and confidently using spreadsheets and databases.

In a similar way to Office, Adobe is the standard software used in the creative industries.

If you have experience or even qualifications in using Premiere Pro and Photoshop, you will find it easy to transfer that knowledge into a new role that needs those skills.

3. Programming

Coding languages are fixed, and having skill in using one (or more) is necessary for most developer roles, but also for IT, data analysis and even some engineering roles.

Some of the more popular languages that you might have skills in include:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is used in many different industries, and although there are different publishers of programs designed to make managing customer data simple, they all work in a similar way.

Working knowledge and skills in using one type of CRM can be listed as a directly transferable skill if the company you are applying for uses the same software, and even if they don’t.

4. Marketing

Marketing skills, especially using social media, are transferable. Hard skills in marketing include understanding SEO, applying analytics and creating and implementing advertising strategies.

Marketing skills are easy to transfer between different roles and even different industries for candidates who have the right level of competency and can work with different products, services and demographics.

Writing skills are important in terms of general communication, but you can also get more specific writing skills like technical writing (for instruction manuals or product descriptions) and copywriting (for selling products or services).

If you have skills with the written word, you will find that this is something that can be useful across several industries and in many different types of roles.

The Importance of Transferable Skills

If you want to secure a new employment opportunity, you are going to have to demonstrate a specific set of skills needed for the role.

Some of these skills will be specific to the industry, while others (transferable skills) are those that you can build on and develop throughout your career.

Transferable skills tend to bring the following benefits for candidates and employers:

• Flexibility – In an increasingly competitive job market, companies want to recruit employees who can diversify and complete multiple tasks and roles. When you have a diverse skill set, this will set you apart from the other applicants and shows you have greater flexibility.
• Diversity – The more transferable skills you have, the more diversity you can offer to a potential employer. The experiences that you have had during your studies, work experience or academic projects have all allowed you to develop a range of skills, many of which can be put to good use in any role.
• Portability – The nature of transferable skills means they can be taken with you when you move jobs. As you progress, the skills that you currently have will improve and you will also gain new ones too.
• Employability – Even if you have very little work experience, building a strong CV around your transferable skills will strengthen your chances of success. Although you may not have direct work experience, these transferable skills will demonstrate that you can adapt to new demands.

Emphasising Transferable Skills in Your CV or Interview

Once you have identified which transferable skills you have that match the requirements of the role you are applying for, ensure that you incorporate them into your CV and cover letter.

If you have very little work experience, then a functional CV focused on your skills rather than your experience would be more effective.

Demonstrate how you used your skills in a specific scenario – giving a brief synopsis of the situation, what you did and the outcome.

Try to make your CV achievements-focused.

Strategically place transferable skills throughout your CV, including in a brief professional summary section that describes you, your skills and your qualities in about six to seven lines at the top of the CV.

This is designed to catch the attention of the recruiter and encourage them to read further.

When it comes to the interview, you can expand on your CV in more detail, providing specific examples of when you demonstrated commercial awareness or solved a problem.

It’s one thing saying that you have a specific skill – demonstrating that you can use it effectively is another.

Final Thoughts

Transferable skills can be learned in school, when working towards a degree and, in some cases, through personal experience, as well as in different workplaces.

Transferable skills can include soft skills like communication, leadership and teamwork, but they can also include hard skills like knowledge of different software and proficiency in coding languages.

Knowing the skills you already have and can transfer to a new role will help you craft a strong CV that demonstrates you have the knowledge, competencies and abilities that match the requirements of the advertised job. It makes you a strong candidate who is more likely to be taken further in the recruitment process.

This article first appeared on WikiJob .

What Are Transferable Skills and Why Are They Important?

Transferable skills are a versatile set of abilities that individuals can effectively apply across various jobs and industries. These skills, such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork , are not job-specific and are valued by employers across the board.

They form the foundational capabilities that enable a person to excel in a wide range of positions, providing the adaptability needed in today’s dynamic job market.

Understanding the importance of transferable skills is vital for career growth and success .

In an increasingly fluid economy, where career changes are common, having a robust set of such skills can significantly ease transitions between fields.

They empower individuals to apply their expertise in new contexts and thus open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible.

For employers, candidates with strong transferable skills are attractive as they are often capable of contributing to the team and adapting to the workplace with less training.

Key Takeaways

• Transferable skills are essential across various jobs and help with career flexibility.
• These skills support successful career transitions and are valuable in any industry.
• Prioritizing the development of transferable skills can lead to broader job opportunities.

Defining Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are abilities that individuals can apply effectively in various jobs or industries. They include a diverse range of competencies that are not job-specific and are valuable in multiple employment contexts.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured. They include competencies like proficiency in a foreign language, typing speed, or operating machinery.

These skills are often acquired through formal education and training.

Soft skills , on the other hand, are personal attributes and interpersonal skills that affect one’s ability to work and interact with others. They are less tangible and harder to quantify.

Soft skills include abilities like effective communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.

List of Common Transferable Skills

• Communication : Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly in written and verbal forms.
• Organization : Ability to plan, prioritize, and execute tasks efficiently.
• Teamwork : Work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.
• Problem-Solving : Identify issues and determine effective solutions.
• Leadership : Direct and motivate others, demonstrating decision-making capabilities.
• Adaptability : Adjust to new conditions and respond to changes in the environment.
• Technology Proficiency : Familiarity with common software, tools, and technology.

Transferable skills bridge the gap between various careers and industries, allowing individuals to pivot and adapt to different job roles . They are integral to career development and progression.

The Importance of Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are crucial for thriving in diverse job markets . They benefit both the individual seeking employment and the employers looking for versatile candidates.

Employability and Career Progression

Employers often seek candidates with a broad set of transferable skills .

These portable skills enhance employability by demonstrating an individual’s capability beyond core technical abilities.

Candidates with strong transferable skills are better equipped for career progression , as they can leverage these skills in various roles and industries.

• Communication : Key in any role for clear, effective information exchange
• Problem-solving: Essential for navigating workplace challenges
• Time management: Influences productivity and efficiency

Adaptability to Change

The job market is in constant flux, making adaptability a standout transferable skill.

Individuals who adapt quickly can manage transitions such as technological advancements or shifts in their industry landscape, ensuring their continuous relevance in the workplace.

• Learning new technologies: Keeps skill sets current
• Openness to change: Allows for seamless transitions during corporate restructuring

Interpersonal and Leadership Qualities

Interpersonal skills are the bedrock of collaborative work environments, while leadership capabilities empower individuals to take charge and inspire teams.

• Interpersonal skills: These encompass emotional intelligence, teamwork, and the ability to negotiate.
• Leadership: Not just for managers but any role that requires guiding peers or projects

Transferable Skills in the Workplace

Transferable skills are crucial assets that employees bring to a diverse range of jobs and sectors. They are versatile, adaptable, and beneficial in any professional context. Below are specific applications of these skills in the workplace environment.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Employees who excel in teamwork and collaboration are integral to a company’s success.

They harmonize with others to meet common goals, often leading to increased productivity and innovation.

Good collaborators recognize the strengths of their team members and effectively allocate tasks, ensuring that team objectives are achieved efficiently.

• Adaptability to various team roles
• Respect for diverse perspectives
• Equitable division of labor

Communication and Active Listening

Effective communication and active listening are pivotal.

Workers must convey information clearly and persuasively while also understanding the communicated needs and ideas of others.

Mastery in these areas guarantees that instructions are followed accurately and that everyone’s viewpoints are considered in decision-making processes.

• Clarity in verbal and written communication
• Empathy and understanding during conversations
• Constructive feedback and conflict resolution

Problem-solving and Critical Thinking

Employees who utilize problem-solving and critical thinking are valuable in navigating workplace challenges.

They identify core issues and implement innovative solutions.

Critical thinkers evaluate information objectively and make reasoned decisions, contributing to the workplace’s strategic direction and success.

• Analysis and evaluation of data
• Creative thinking to overcome obstacles
• Logical decision-making processes

Improving and Developing Transferable Skills

One can enhance transferable skills through continuous learning and systematic training, hands-on experience, and guidance from mentors or coaches. These methods solidify one’s ability to apply skills across various domains and job roles.

Continuous Learning and Training

Continuous learning is vital for keeping skills current and adaptable.

Training sessions, whether in-person workshops or online courses, play a significant role in this process.

Online platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of topics, from communication to technology.

Regular attendance in such educational settings ensures ongoing development and the maintenance of relevant skills.

• Workshops/Seminars : Attend sector-specific workshops or seminars to learn industry best practices.
• Certifications : Obtain certifications in your field to demonstrate proficiency and dedication.

Practical Experience and Activities

Engaging in practical activities contributes to refining transferable skills through real-world application.

Volunteering or participating in community services can offer diverse situations that foster problem-solving and teamwork.

• Volunteer Work : Engage in roles that challenge your current skill set.
• Projects : Collaborate on projects that require interdisciplinary teamwork and leadership.

Hands-on experience is invaluable for illustrating abilities in novel contexts, thus highlighting the versatility of one’s skill set.

Mentorship and Coaching

Personalized feedback from a mentor or coach provides nuanced insight into one’s skill application and areas for growth.

They can recommend specific activities to target weaknesses or leverage strengths.

• Professional Networks : Seek mentors within professional networks who are willing to invest time in your development.
• Regular Feedback Sessions : Schedule these with your mentor or coach to discuss progress and receive constructive criticism.

Showcasing Transferable Skills

Transferable skills enhance a job seeker’s adaptability across various roles and industries. Effectively displaying these skills can significantly impact their career progression.

On Your Resume and Cover Letter

Resume : Job seekers should list their transferable skills in a dedicated section on their resume. For clarity, they can format this section with bullet points. For example:

• Communication Skills : Spearheaded monthly newsletters and facilitated team meetings .
• Leadership Abilities : Managed a team of 10 and drove project completion ahead of deadlines.

Cover Letter : Here, candidates can weave transferable skills into narratives that demonstrate their application in previous roles. They may say, “In my previous role as a customer service manager, I refined my problem-solving and empathetic listening skills which contributed to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction .”

During Job Interviews

During interviews , candidates should offer specific examples of how they have applied their transferable skills. They could use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame their responses:

• Situation : Describe the context within which you used the skill.
• Task : Explain the task you were responsible for.
• Action : Detail the actions you took using the transferable skill.
• Result : Share the outcomes of your actions.

For instance, when discussing team collaboration skills, they might say, “At my previous job, I led a cross-departmental team (Situation) to streamline the inventory process (Task). We developed a new tracking system (Action), resulting in a 20% reduction in overstock (Result).”

Applying Skills in New Roles

When job seekers assume new roles, applying their transferable skills effectively is key to their success. They should:

• Identify skills from past roles that are relevant to the new position.
• Clearly communicate how these skills transfer to their new responsibilities.
• Seek out opportunities to apply these skills, such as volunteering to lead a challenging project.

Transferable Skills in Different Industries

Transferable skills are versatile attributes that professionals can apply across various sectors. They enhance a worker’s adaptability and value to different companies within diverse industries.

Transferability Across Sectors

Industries may vary widely in their nature and operations, but they often require a core set of transferable skills.

Communication and leadership are examples of such skills that apply to virtually any industry, whether it be healthcare, finance, or manufacturing. In each sector, the ability to clearly convey information and guide teams is crucial.

• Healthcare: Effective communication ensures quality patient care and collaboration among healthcare professionals.
• Finance: Leadership drives strategic decision-making and the management of financial teams.
• Manufacturing: Both skills are essential for coordinating complex production processes and managing workforce dynamics.

Similarly, problem-solving and critical thinking are in demand across sectors. Companies prize employees who can address challenges creatively and make informed decisions.

• Technology: Problem-solving is critical in developing innovative software solutions.
• Education: Critical thinking enables educators to develop and adapt learning strategies.

Digital literacy is another key skill with high transferability, necessary for roles ranging from digital marketing in commerce to data analysis in tech.

Industry-Specific Skill Adaptation

While transferable skills are a valuable asset, their application can differ significantly from one industry to another. This requires a degree of adaptation .

For instance, project management skills in the construction industry involve overseeing physical builds and timelines, while in software development, it revolves around sprint cycles and version releases.

The table below illustrates how teamwork is adapted across different industries:

Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

In addressing the importance of transferable skills, individuals often face the dual challenge of recognizing which skills are undervalued and harnessing emotional intelligence to navigate professional environments effectively.

Identifying Undervalued Skills

One significant obstacle is the identification of undervalued skills that individuals possess but may overlook.

Transferable skills such as critical thinking , problem-solving , and adaptability are not always clearly outlined in job descriptions, yet they are crucial for success in diverse roles.

• Critical Thinking : Essential for analyzing situations and making informed decisions.
• Problem-Solving : Allows an individual to creatively overcome workplace challenges.
• Adaptability : A skill that enables one to respond effectively to changing circumstances.

Workers must take a proactive approach in evaluating their own skill sets, often through self-assessment tools or feedback from peers, to ensure they recognize and can articulate these valuable competencies during job transitions.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence plays a fundamental role in overcoming workplace challenges. It involves the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

• Self-awareness : Acknowledging one’s emotions leads to better self-regulation.
• Social Skills : Facilitate effective communication and conflict resolution.
• Empathy : Enhances teamwork and leadership abilities.

Professionals who cultivate emotional intelligence are better positioned to navigate interpersonal dynamics and lead with influence, contributing to a productive work environment and career advancement. They adapt to the emotional needs of their colleagues, build resilient teams, and are poised to harness the full potential of their transferable skills.

The Future of Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are increasingly vital due to the dynamic nature of the modern workplace, where automation and evolving job markets play pivotal roles.

Automation and Technological Change

As automation advances, certain job functions are becoming obsolete.

Skills such as critical thinking , problem-solving , and interpersonal communication are more difficult to replicate through technology. They will remain highly sought after.

In industries like AI and machine learning, the ability to work alongside emerging technologies is crucial. Employees must adapt to new tools, necessitating a continuous learning mindset.

• Adaptability : Essential for embracing new technology.
• Technical proficiency : Gains importance as workplaces become more technology-dependent.

The Evolving Job Market

The job market is evolving, with a shift toward more flexible, project-based roles.

Transferable skills such as project management and team collaboration can help individuals navigate this change effectively.

• Versatility : People who can transfer skills across various roles and industries may have more opportunities.
• Lifelong learning : Commitment to ongoing skill development is key to staying relevant.

Transferable skills are critical in the modern job landscape. They equip an individual with a versatile set of abilities that are valuable across various job roles and industries.

Companies increasingly prioritize these skills, as they are indicative of an employee’s potential to adapt and thrive in diverse and dynamic work environments.

The significance of transferable skills stems from their ability to enhance an employee’s capability to:

• Navigate complex problem-solving scenarios
• Communicate effectively within teams
• Lead with initiative and innovate when necessary

Employees who demonstrate a strong set of transferable skills often find themselves at an advantage, with increased job mobility and opportunities for career advancement.

For companies, investing in employees with these competencies can lead to:

• Greater adaptability to market changes
• Enhanced team performance , driving company success

It is essential for individuals to continuously refine and expand their transferable skills. They should seek opportunities for professional development, such as workshops or online courses, to stay competitive in the job market.

For companies, fostering a culture that encourages the growth of transferable skills can result in a more resilient and agile workforce. This is a key factor for sustaining long-term success in an ever-evolving business landscape.

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Developing your soft skills.

Soft skills are general skills that most employers look for when recruiting and are needed for most jobs. They're sometimes called transferable skills or employability skills by employers. We gain soft skills in life and work.

Find out about some of the soft skills employers look for and how to develop these skills.  

Examples of soft skills

Soft skills are more likely to be the kind you pick up through life experience, like how you:

• communicate and work with others
• make decisions
• organise yourself and work
• adapt to difficult situations

When you apply for a job you will need to show that you have the soft skills needed.

Communication

You can use communication skills in lots of different jobs. 

You use communication skills when:

• writing emails
• dealing with customers
• reading instructions
• helping and caring for people

Improve your communication

You can develop your communication skills by meeting new people and working with them.

• join a sports team or creative arts club
• volunteer somewhere you will talk to the public
• practice making phone or video calls
• take an online course , like on how to give work presentations

Leadership skills are not just for managers. Having leadership skills shows an employer that you can manage yourself and your workload.

You might have experience of using leadership skills like:

• time management
• conflict management
• problem solving

Improve your leadership

To develop your leadership skills you could:

• organise your schedule by creating a timetable
• resolve conflict between friends or colleagues
• motivate others: you could do this by organising activities, fun or educational like a quiz
• teach skills to others: you could create instruction manuals or videos to share with family and friends

A good attitude is something a lot of employers look for. Employers look for people who see solutions, not problems.

You use positivity skills when you:

• stay calm in stressful situations
• look for answers to problems
• have a can do attitude

Improve your positivity

To develop your positivity skills you could:

• do a free course around personal growth and wellbeing
• solve problems when things go wrong
• network , whether for work or education, this shows a good attitude to learning and growing
• be part of a team, like sports or creative arts to show you’re a team player

Flexibility

Being flexible shows that you're adaptable to different situations. It shows you can handle change and adapt at short notice.

You can be flexible by:

• covering someone else's duties at work
• working outside of your regular hours
• changing what you're working on to fit with priorities

Improve your flexibility skills

To develop your flexibility skills you could:

• rearrange your day because of a change in priorities
• do more than one task at a time
• do something outside of your comfort zone
• do a challenge that stretches you
• change your plans to help someone at short notice

Problem solving

Employers look for problem solving skills because it shows you can find problems and fix them.

You might use problem solving skills when:

• dealing with a customer's problem
• doing research to understand a situation
• asking questions to help you understand the bigger picture

Improve your problem solving

To develop your problem solving skills you could:

• play logic puzzles and games
• keep a journal – looking at your mindset and how you look at solving problems
• get involved in projects with others where you solve problems together
• try brainstorming and developing plans for problems you have

If there are soft skills that you want to work on further, you could do some volunteering or work experience . 

You could also do some free online learning to help you gain more soft skills. This will give you examples you can use on your CV or in job interviews when you apply for jobs.

Related content

Identifying skills and upskilling

Volunteering advice

Getting the most out of online learning

How to write a CV

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Studies and data show employers favor proven skills over degrees and job titles

D EAR READERS: “LinkedIn Bets on Skills Over Degrees as Future Labor Market Currency” is the headline from a June 9 Bloomberg story that predicts employers are going to be focusing on an applicant’s proven skills instead of college degrees and prior job titles. And data shows that already is happening.

According to a recent study from American Student Assistance (ASA), completed in collaboration with Jobs for the Future, 81% of employers believe in prioritizing skills over degrees, and 72% of employers believe that a degree is not a reliable way to assess the quality of a candidate. So, what exactly is skills-first hiring? And how can applicants make sure they provide the kind of information that will appeal to a company using a skill-first approach?

“Skills-first hiring is the concept that employers should consider the skills a prospective employee has gained through education, career training, or work experience, rather than simply relying on a degree as a threshold for employment,” explains Julie Lammers, senior vice president, advocacy and corporate social responsibility for ASA .

Matt Diggity, founder and CEO of Diggity Marketing , describes it as “an alternative to the traditional model, which tends to prioritize formal education and previous job titles. Now, it’s more about what you can do right now, not where you studied or where you’ve worked in the past.”

Diggity gives SEO and digital marketing as examples of fields “where this shift is particularly poignant.

“The digital landscape evolves so quickly that static degrees often can’t keep pace. It’s a realm where the keen ability to adapt and learn — and most importantly, to apply learned skills effectively — is key,” he explains.

Skills-first-focused employers are looking for ‘durable skills’ (also known as ‘soft skills’) that include teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and flexibility, as well as character skills like fortitude and leadership — “things that are essential in almost every job,” Lammers explains.

According to a study by America Succeeds , 70% of the most requested skills in more than 82 million job postings fall into the durable skills category.

Why the transition to a skills-based model?

“Technical skills are often easy to train someone on through a certification process or on the job, but it is these durable skills that are desperately desired by employers and harder to train on later in life,” Lammers says.

To appeal to employers using a skills-based hiring model, Lammers and Diggity offer this advice:

Showcase relevant skills and accomplishments. This will make your resume and cover letter shine. “For instance, if you’re applying for an SEO role, talk about how you increased a website’s traffic or improved its search engine rankings,” Diggity says. “It’s all about the tangible results you can bring to a company.”

Remember that “skills” don’t mean technical skills alone. “In today’s world, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability are highly valued,” Diggity stresses. “Showcase instances where you have used these skills to create a significant impact.”

Highlight your continuous learning initiatives. Recent courses and certifications can set you apart. “It’s always a plus in the dynamic world of digital marketing, for example, to show you’re proactive about staying on top of the latest trends and techniques,” Diggity says.

Take advantage of career readiness learning opportunities as early as possible. Internships, project-based learning, and entrepreneurship experiences offer the opportunity to build the durable skills employers desire, Lammers notes. “For example, the CAPS Network works to match students with the project needs of organizations through a consulting model. In this way, young people can build skills like problem solving, teamwork, adaptability, and creativity by co-working with employers to solve a real-world business challenge.”

Another organization Lammers suggests is the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship , which helps young people learn how to take risks, how to fail safely and quickly, and how to problem solve. “These lifelong, transferable skills are all skills that every young person and prospective employee needs to be career ready,” Lammers says.

There also is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s pilot phase of the Employer Provided Innovation Challenges initiative , an online platform that connects high school and postsecondary learners with employers to create solutions to real-world, employer-led, work-based learning challenges. “Through this program, employers will articulate a specific business challenge they are looking to address, and students will be invited to work as a team to find a solution and build durable skills along the way,” Lammers says.

(Kathleen Furore is a Chicago-based writer and editor who has covered personal finance and other business-related topics for a variety of trade and consumer publications. You can email her your career questions at [email protected] .)

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Transferable Skills: How to Use Them to Land Your Next Job

Learn what transferable skills are, why they matter, and how they could help you land your next job.

The global pandemic has forced a mass re-appraisal of work. As a result, many are beginning to ask themselves whether they can successfully change careers and, if so, what skills they have to offer new employers.

The answer likely lies in your transferable skills .

Transferable, or “portable skills,” are all the skills you take with you from one job to another. For instance, the ability to clearly communicate ideas to others, solve unexpected problems, or work well in a team are all examples of transferable skills.

Whilst technical skills allow you to accomplish specific technical tasks, such as coding with Python or creating wireframes for UX design , transferable skills are the skills that ensure you do your job well. As a result, transferable skills are highly prized by employers. After all, a programmer with the ability to work in a team is likely more valuable than a programmer who doesn’t code well with others. 

Learn how transferable skills are viewed by employers, how to identify your own, and find a list of five common transferable skills with examples to help you better identify your own.

At the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to highlight your transferable skills to potential employers as you search for your next career move.  

6 transferable skills with examples

Here are six common transferable skills, with examples of how they might show up in different roles. Use this list to help identify your own transferable skills.  

1. Critical thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate, synthesise, and analyse information in an objective manner in order to produce an original insight or judgement. Individuals who are critical thinkers will often prompt themselves and others to think more deeply about an issue, ensuring that a product, idea, or policy is thoroughly conceptualised. 

Examples of critical thinking include:

A teacher who crafts a curriculum to fit the unique needs of their students 

An employee who routinely questions the popular opinion in meetings to ensure that decisions are sound

A data scientist who asks original questions of datasets 

A union representative who asks important questions of employers to ensure the safety and wellbeing of factory workers 

2. Problem-solving 

Problem-solving is the ability to find solutions to complex or difficult issues. A person who is a skilled problem solver is likely to be good at identifying the underlying reasons a problem exists and then executing a plan to resolve it. 

Problem-solving can come in many forms, including:

A cashier who quickly devises a way to take orders when the point-of-sale (POS) system shuts down

An accountant who creates a more efficient filing system

An intern in a political campaign who constructs a database to improve voter outreach 

3. Adaptability

Adaptability is the ability to quickly adjust to new situations. A person who is adaptable is not only comfortable entering unfamiliar environments and facing new challenges, but also often succeeds in such situations. 

Examples of adaptability include: 

A worker in a warehouse who is equally comfortable packing products, taking inventory, making deliveries, and negotiating shift schedules

A dispatcher who quickly responds to driver requests and offers alternative routes whilst switching between multiple applications 

A recently hired employee at a company who quickly gets up to speed on an important project  

4. Teamwork

Teamwork is the ability to work well with others and put the good of the project ahead of personal interest. A person who is good at teamwork is capable of supporting teammates, motivating others, and both giving and receiving constructive feedback.  

Some examples of teamwork include: 

A waiter who works under pressure with a team of front of the house, cooks, program and dishwashers while tactfully a range of personalities and interfacing with customers 

A builder who must work with many other trades to ensure the timely completion of a home 

A stagehand who must work with a team to ensure that a stage is quickly set during an opera performance 

A copywriter who must simultaneously produce original material for a client and also adjust to client feedback 

5. Attention to detail

Attention to detail is the ability to ensure the quality of the finer aspects of a project. An individual who exhibits a refined attention to detail is able to focus on the minute—though crucial—aspects of a project or product that many others may overlook.  

Some examples of attention to detail at work include: 

A worker in a ceramics factory who assures the quality of each tile by checking them for imperfections in glaze, size, shape, and material 

A bookkeeper who makes a habit of going through a company’s accounts line-by-line to ensure that all financial records are in order

An editor who reads through written content to correct any errors in spelling, grammar, or phrasing

A programmer who reads through lines of code to fix any mistakes

A  garment worker who checks that the stitching on newly manufactured coats are correct  

6. Management 

Management is the ability to effectively handle other people and processes, such as time or plans. An effective manager of other people might be adept at supervising, directing, and scheduling. At the same time, they are likely skilled at understanding how each team member fits into the larger picture of the organisation or project they are undertaking. 

Here are a few examples of management from the real world:

A stage manager for a theatrical production who must ensure everything runs smoothly during a live performance

A parent who must plan, schedule, and juggle numerous responsibilities for a family

A shift leader who must ensure their team understands what they are doing and stays on task

A club president who regularly runs club meetings, facilitates discussions, and plans activities

A grocery store owner who must schedule employees and regularly order produce from suppliers

Transferable skills and your CV

Whether you are looking for a job opportunity or are considering a career change, you are probably wondering what transferable skills you already possess. 

In this section you will find a list of numerous transferable skills alongside an exercise to help you identify some of yours.

Transferable skills list

The first step to identifying your transferable skills is to understand what some of the most common transferable skills actually are. The list below offers a wide variety of transferable skills: 

Adapted from the University of Missouri-St. Louis [ 1 ]

Identifying your transferable skills 

Now that you have an understanding of some of the most common transferable skills, it’s time to identify some of your own: 

1. Identify 10 skills from the above list that you most exhibit.

2. Write down all the ways you have used each skill in both your professional and personal life. Try to be as comprehensive as possible, making sure to include all the ways you embody the skill. (If you need some examples look at the section above).

3. Identify the five skills that have been most impactful for you in your professional or personal life. 

4. Jot down key achievements for each skill on your shortlist.

5. Rank your five skills from most impactful to least impactful. The purpose here is not to judge your skills but instead to have a clear sense of what skills have served you well so far. 

Congratulations! You now have a list of your most impactful transferable skills. As you are applying to jobs, look for opportunities where you can convey your transferable skills either on your CV or during your job interview. 

Tip : One way to identify valuable transferable skills in your desired area of employment is to read through job postings and identify the skills they highlight. Once you have made a list of the essential skills, use the above exercise to identify the ways you have used those skills in your personal and professional life. 

For more inspiration, consider asking a friend, family member, or coworker what they think your best skills are. Sometimes, the people closest to us can see our strengths better than we can.

Why transferable skills matter in the job market

Transferable skills are what many often refer to as “soft skills,” a term that intentionally contrasts with “hard” technical skills. As a result, many get the mistaken impression that transferable skills are less important than technical skills. This belief couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, employees with strong transferable skills have been found to greatly increase workplace productivity and overall profits. 

A 2017 study found that garment workers trained in skills like communication, time management, problem-solving, financial and legal literacy, and decision-making were considerably more productive than workers who received no training. Ultimately, researchers found that the garment factory reaped a 256 per cent return on investment as a result of workplace skills training [ 2 ].

In the near future, transferable skills will become even more important to employers as automation replaces previous jobs with adept machines. For example, a 2018 report by Mckinsey & Company found that the need for transferable skills will increase markedly in the next decade while the need for repetitive and manual tasks will decrease [ 3 ]. 

Although transferable skills have proven to be effective in the workplace and needed for the future, McKinsey & Company noted that human resource professionals found it difficult to identify potential employees with in-demand transferable skills. The top three “missing skills” according to HR professionals are as follows: 

Problem solving, critical thinking, innovation, and creativity

Ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity

Communication

The message is clear: neither employees nor employers should underestimate the value of transferable skills. Transferable skills can increase workplace productivity, are becoming increasingly valuable in the job market, and offer an opportunity for job seekers to stand out from the applicant pool. 

Now that you have a thorough understanding of what transferable skills are, why they are valuable to employers, and how you already use them in your life, it is time to highlight them on your CV. Whether it is your first CV or simply your most recent, you might benefit from taking a course on CV and cover letter writing . 

If you’d like to expand your technical skills, consider a Professional Certificate to help you get job ready for a high-demand field like data analysis, project management, UX design, social media marketing, or IT support.

Whatever you do next, though, just remember that it's likely that you already have a wide range of skills that will be as valuable in your next workplace as they are in your daily life today. 

Give your team access to a catalogue of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business .

Article sources

University of Missouri—St. Louis. " Transferrable skills , http://www.umsl.edu/depts/career/Students/Transferable%20Skills.pdf." Accessed November 11, 2022.

Michigan Ross. " Soft Skills Training Boosts Productivity , https://michiganross.umich.edu/rtia-articles/soft-skills-training-boosts-productivity." Accessed November 11, 2022.

McKinsey & Company. " Skill shift: Automation and the future of the workforce , https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/skill-shift-automation-and-the-future-of-the-workforce." Accessed November 11, 2022.

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