Understanding transferable skills: Boost your job applications

Are you looking for a new job, making a career change, or just starting out? To boost your chances of success, it’s essential to think about your transferable skills. 

But what are transferable skills, and why do they matter? Let’s explore these valuable assets with examples to help you understand how these skills can elevate your career. 

What are transferable skills? 

Transferable skills are abilities and talents that apply across a number of jobs or industries . Unlike technical skills, which are often specific to a particular job or industry, transferable skills are versatile. You can use these portable skills in a wide range of contexts. We can also refer to transferable skills as soft skills.  

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, transferable skills can connect your past experiences to new opportunities. 

Common transferable skills examples  

Understanding what transferable skills are is just the beginning. It’s essential to identify your own transferable skills and to think of relevant examples for each. This list of transferable skills features some of the most common and sought-after attributes in a new employee:

Communication skills

Whether verbal or written, effective communication is critical in nearly every job. Sometimes people forget that communication involves listening skills as well as conveying information clearly. By listening well, you can respond appropriately to others.  

Good communicators can adapt their style to suit different audiences, making this skill highly transferable across any role. You can demonstrate this skill interview by responding confidently and concisely to interview questions. 

Leadership skills 

Employers also value leadership skills. Good leaders should inspire those you work with toward a common goal. Leadership skills help to drive success, whether you’re leading a project, mentoring colleagues or managing a team.  

Even if you haven’t led a team before, think of a time when you motivated others or encouraged them with a new idea. 

Problem-solving skills 

Every job will involve its own set of challenges. That is why problem-solving should definitely be a skill on your CV. This involves analysing a situation, identifying possible solutions and implementing the best resolution. 

From customer-facing roles to leading at the executive level, it’s important to solve problems and challenges in a positive way. Think about times you’ve solved a problem proactively; anecdotes will help to demonstrate your transferable skills in an interview. 

Teamwork skills 

Collaboration is key in most workplaces. It’s important to show prospective employers that you can be a team player to achieve a shared goal.

Answer interview questions by describing your ability to: 

•  work well with others
• understand different perspectives 
• contribute to group successes.  

Time management skills 

No matter your career path, you’ll need to prioritise tasks, manage your workload and meet deadlines. Time management skills help to increase productivity and effectiveness, so employers are keen to hire someone with good organisational skills. To demonstrate this skill, try to describe specific approaches or tools that you use to manage your time. 

Adaptability skills 

The ability to adapt to new situations, technologies or job roles is crucial in rapidly changing work environments. Adaptability involves: 

• being open to change 
• learning new skills quickly 
• adjusting confidently to new challenges.  

This transferable skill is particularly important in industries that experience frequent change or innovation. 

Analytical skills 

Analysing data, spotting trends and making informed decisions are essential in many fields. Analytical skills allow you to: 

• understand complex information  
• use data and experience to make decisions 
• inform problem solving 
• identify opportunities to innovate. 

If you’re asked to complete an interview task, take the opportunity to demonstrate your attention to detail. Analyse the task at hand and don’t be afraid to present questions back to the interviewer.

Project management skills 

The ability to plan, execute, and oversee a project from start to finish is an asset in many roles. Project management is a highly transferable skill across industries. Even without formal qualifications in project management, try to demonstrate your: 

• Organised approach 
• Leadership skills 
• Time & budget management 
• Communication skills. 

How transferable skills can help you in your career  

Enhance your CV  

Transferable skills are important to add to your CV. Employers seek technical ability for the role you are applying for. However, they also search for soft skills that will further benefit the company and the team. 

Make sure to include transferable skills in your CV, in both the work experience and skills sections. Include specific examples to help show the employer these skills in action. 

Ace your interview 

During interviews, employers often ask questions designed to assess your transferable skills. Be prepared with specific examples that showcase these skills in action.  

For example, you might describe a situation where your communication skills helped to resolve a conflict. You could also describe a situation where your leadership skills guided a team to success. Remember, you can draw upon examples from extracurricular activities as well as past jobs. 

Transition into a new career more easily  

If you’re considering a career change, transferable skills can link your previous experience to your new career path.

Starting a new job can be daunting, but your transferable skills can help you to hit the ground running. Your ability to adapt, manage time, and collaborate with new colleagues is essential when settling into a new environment. As you gain experience and take on new challenges, your skills will grow and evolve, making you a more well-rounded professional.

Transferable skills are the foundation of a successful career. By identifying and mastering these skills, you can open doors to new opportunities and ease transitions. Doing so will help you position yourself as a strong candidate no matter where your career takes you.

For more career advice, including CV tips and interview tips, explore these blogs from Hays:

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