transferable skills assignment

Explore Jobs

• Jobs Near Me
• Remote Jobs
• Full Time Jobs
• Part Time Jobs
• Entry Level Jobs
• Work From Home Jobs

Find Specific Jobs

• $15 Per Hour Jobs
• $20 Per Hour Jobs
• Hiring Immediately Jobs
• High School Jobs
• H1b Visa Jobs

Explore Careers

• Business And Financial
• Architecture And Engineering
• Computer And Mathematical

Explore Professions

• What They Do
• Certifications
• Demographics

Best Companies

• Health Care
• Fortune 500

Explore Companies

• CEO And Executies
• Resume Builder
• Career Advice
• Explore Majors
• Questions And Answers
• Interview Questions

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?
• What Are Research Skills?
• What Are Transferable Skills?
• What Are Microsoft Office Skills?
• What Are Clerical Skills?
• What Are Computer Skills?
• What Are Core Competencies?
• What Are Collaboration Skills?
• What Are Conflict Resolution Skills?
• What Are Mathematical Skills?
• How To Delegate

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. In This Article    Skip to section What Are Transferable Skills? 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 Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What Are Transferable Skills?

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.

Why Are Transferable Skills Important?

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.

Types of Transferable Skills

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

Other Transferable Skills

Logical reasoning

Negotiation

Emotional-intelligence

Creative thinking

Conflict resolution

Multitasking

How to Improve Your Transferable Skills

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.

How to Highlight Your Transferable Skills During a Job Search

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.

Resume Examples Highlighting Transferable Skills

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

Transferable Skills Frequently Asked Questions

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.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count:

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

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.

Related posts

12 Qualities Of An Effective Team Player (With Examples)

What Are Problem-Solving Skills? (Definition, Examples, And How To List On A Resume)

A Complete Guide To Situational Analysis (With Examples)

71 Technical Skills For Your Resume (And What Are Technical Skills?)

• Career Advice >
• Hard Skills >
• Transferable Skills

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. 

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Career Growth

The complete guide t..., the complete guide to transferable skills.

Your transferable skills could help you land your next job and take your career to the next level. But do you know what they are?

• Updated 3 Jun 2022

Mike Dalley

HR and Learning & Development Expert

Reviewed by Melina Theodorou

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many people taking stock of their lives and reappraising their careers. Often, people will ask themselves how easy it might be to successfully change careers and their working lives, as well as what skills they might offer to potential employers. 

There are many different industries to choose from , and every job profile has a different skillset which employers require. That said, certain skills are becoming increasingly transferable, allowing you to hop from on job to the next . Automation and the digital revolution are driving this shift and causing the demand for transferable skills to grow. 

This article explores the world of transferable skills, including what they are and how you can make use of them to further your career or take a bold step into something wonderfully new.

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are competencies that can be applied across a range of different settings. These skills seamlessly transfer from one job to another, hence their name. 

Transferable skills can range from hard to soft skills . The former refers to technical skills that can be acquired though practice and that relate to specific actions or tasks, such as data analysis, coding, or expertise on a certain system. Soft skills, on the other hand, are the ones we use without realizing. They are crucial but non-technical and are predominantly learned through experience. Examples of soft skills could be people skills, flexibility, empathy, or time management.

Soft skills are a lot more transferable than hard skills, but both types are useful and can be applied in many different settings. For example, you will use your communication skills in most workplaces – that’s a given – but expertise in a certain software system can also be transferable as many organizations could be using this platform.

The importance of transferable skills

Transferable skills are like gold dust for your CV or résumé as they are indicative of your value as an applicant. By demonstrating your transferable skills, you can convince the recruiter that you are a good fit for the role, even if you don’t meet certain requirements.

Having a broad suite of transferable skills also means that you can add value to the organization by being able to take on different tasks and projects but also handle various situations. Not only can your transferable skills land you a new job but also lead to career growth and promotion opportunities .  Finally, transferable skills will empower you to adapt to changes happening within your industry and will enable you to hit the ground running when something unfamiliar or challenging arises. 

Types of transferable skills

Transferable skills are often interconnected and multi-faceted. Luckily, we have put together a list that breaks down transferable skills into different categories, including general skills, interpersonal skills , management skills, communication skills, clerical skills, and IT and technical skills.

General skills

General skills can be applied across different contexts and settings. Their versatility makes them especially useful to learn and fine-tune.

Some examples of general skills are:

• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Logical reasoning
• Multi-tasking
• Organization
• Problem-solving
• Self-motivation

Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills are often connected to emotional or social intelligence. These skills help us interact with others, such as colleagues, managers, or customers.  They are obviously also critical in helping us develop social relationships. Some people are naturally gifted when it comes to interpersonal skills, but all these abilities can be developed and learned, too.

Some examples of interpersonal skills are:

• Conflict resolution
• Customer service
• Dependability
• Emotional intelligence
• Motivating others
• Responsibility
• Trust-building

Management skills

All organizations require component management and leadership so they can run in the right way, grow, look after their employees, and make money. Good management ensures a ‘safe ship’: effective managers plan, organize, and coordinate the activities of process and people. Management skills have evolved over the years, but the fundamentals of these skills have not changed.

Some examples of management skills are:

• Assertiveness
• Decision-making
• Entrepreneurship
• Providing feedback
• Project management
• Resource allocation
• Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Communication skills concern how well you impart, process, and receive information. These skills complement your interpersonal and management abilities and enable you to efficiently process work and handle conflict. Communication skills have taken on a new angle since the dawn of the Digital Revolution . We are now expected to communicate effectively online (such as via social media and video conferencing), as well as in person, in writing, and over the telephone. It should come as no surprise, then, that communication skills are some of the most important and sought-after transferable skills to have. 

Examples of communication skills include:

• Active listening
• Friendliness
• Non-verbal cues
• Public speaking
• Cross-cultural communication
• Storytelling
• Written skills
• Counselling

Clerical skills

Clerical skills relate to administrative tasks and are critical for the smooth running of an organization. Being proficient in these skills can be essential for several role including secretaries, clerical assistants, administrative officers and office managers.  

Some examples of clerical skills are:

• Attention to detail
• Bookkeeping
• Computer literacy
• Critical thinking
• Diary management
• Time management

IT and technical skills

Technical skills require training and expertise to master them. Technical skills relate to technology, software, mathematics, and creative processes. They also cover information technology (IT), which hosts a whole separate subset of skills in its own right. 

The complicated and specialist nature of some of these skills means that, if you have them, you could be an extremely desirable and employable candidate. As a result, IT and tech skills can increase your earning potential, as well as your marketability as a candidate. 

Some examples of IT and technical skills are:

• Analytical skills
• Application knowledge
• Big data analysis
• Coding and programming
• Digital marketing and social media management
• Machine learning and AI
• Proficiency with common operating systems
• Social media management
• Technical writing
• Website design

How to identify your transferable skills

Identifying what your transferable skills are offers great advantages. Firstly, you can better understand how your existing skillset aligns with different career paths and job roles that interest you. This will also allow you to work on the skills that matter. Secondly, you will be able to identify the skills you are best at. These are the ones you should invest in, as they will have the greatest impact on your life and career. 

Here are four steps you can take to identify your transferable skills:

Step 1: Study job search profiles

Take some time to look through job adverts, both for jobs you might be interested in and ones that you haven’t really considered. Look at the required skills listed under these roles, and create your own list of skills you might need to develop. This will also allow you to ask yourself what your key skills are, as well as which ones you really enjoy using.

Step 2: Conduct a self-analysis

A self-analysis might consist of a ‘stay interview’, where you critically evaluate your skills based on questions you will need to ask yourself and answer honestly. These questions might include:

• What skills do I have but am not currently using?
• What skills do I need to perform my job?
• What skills do I enjoy using?
• What skills do I not enjoy using?
• If I could do any job in the world, what would it be and what skills would I need?

Consider also keeping a learning diary, logging regularly what you have learned and the skills these actions required. You might be able to identify emerging patterns and grow your abilities.

Step 3: Ask for a performance review

Performance reviews are conducted by your manager or supervisor. During this process, your skills – as well as your technical abilities – will be assessed. At the very least, a performance review will give you a good idea of your strengths and weaknesses, helping you understand which areas and skills you need to work on. Many companies tie in performance reviews to competency frameworks , where your skills can be mapped against what is needed for your role.

Step 4: Complete a skill assessment

Identifying your own skills can be challenging and a skills test can be a straightforward way for you to get an overview of your core competencies. These assessments can help you uncover other factors that will contribute to your career, such as your natural talents, interests and SWOT information (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats).

Our very own CareerHunter test includes a six-stage assessment which measures your numerical, abstract and verbal reasoning, helping you get a better understanding of your skills as well as interests.

How to market your transferable skills

Understanding and identifying your transferable skills is only half the battle. You need to be able to market these in the right way, too. For starters, make sure to list and demonstrate your skills on your LinkedIn profile and résumé .

To take this to the next level, analyze the job roles you are interested in and ensure the skills the recruiter requires are matched word for word on your résumé and cover letter. By tailoring your documents, applicant tracking systems (ATS) will pick up your application rather than filtering it out of the process. That said, it’s important not to lie about your existing skillset, as you will get caught.

Finally, it’s essential to think of examples in your current or previous roles where you have used your transferable skills. These examples will form the basis for behavioral interview questions that recruiters will ask to understand if you are the ideal candidate.

Key takeaways

Transferable skills are vital for every professional across all industries.

In terms of changing or furthering your career, transferable skills can be used in different settings and workplaces, allowing you to acclimate to new roles faster.

As for developing and growing your transferable skills, this process starts with you understanding what current skillset and how it can be applied to your work and personal life. Take the time to appraise your skills and discover what you do well and what you need to work on. The key is to keep learning and marketing your abilities so you can ensure you stand out from the crowd.

Communication Skills

Hard Skills

Professional Skills

Employability

Soft Skills

Transferable Skills

This Simple Formula Makes Highlighting Transferable Skills Easy

It’s not overstating it to say that knowing how to highlight transferable skills can make all the difference in your job search.

In case you need a quick refresher: They’re skills you picked up in a previous role that’ll help you excel in the one you’re applying to. But they’re distinct from other experience, because they’re closely (but not exactly) related to what’s called for in the job description.

So, if you’re changing careers, feeling a little under-qualified , or trying to explain a winding career path, you can use transferable skills to get a hiring manager to take a chance on you.

But just because they can be a game-changer doesn’t mean they apply in every situation. That’s because you can have experience that’s really valuable for your professional development, but that doesn’t translate. And you can possess lots of great skills, but still be underqualified for a given position.

To figure out if something’s a transferable skill worth mentioning, use this formula:

As a [prior role], I [explain a responsibility], which taught me [transferable skills]. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one as a [new role].

Of course, it’s not enough to simply fill in the blanks with anything that jumps to mind. (That would be the amazing childhood game called Mad Libs.) You want the sentence you end up with to makes you sound like an even stronger applicant.

Here’s What it Looks Like

As an administrative assistant, I drafted and proofread executive correspondence, which taught me how to write persuasively for a variety of audiences and with different goals in mind. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one as a communications assistant.

As a volunteer coordinator, I managed 150 people across three cities. It taught me how to keep a large group motivated, on task, and moving toward larger goals. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one in this management role.

As a [side gig title], I was also responsible for all of the processes that made my venture possible. It taught me next-level organization, as well as to be responsible for scheduling and invoicing, which are skills I would draw on from day one in this operations role.

In each instance, the applicant is explaining how they can use experience they already possess, and as the cliché goes, “hit the ground running.”

And Here’s What it Doesn’t Look Like

As a sales rep, I’m used to getting people to buy in which taught me how to make a persuasive argument. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one as executive director.

As a social media coordinator, I create and post updates across all of our company’s platforms, which taught me how to write engaging statuses. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one in this senior content role.

As a consultant, I have to continuously generate my own leads, which taught me to have a strong self-driven work ethic. That's a skill I would draw on from day one as I learned what I needed to be a software engineer.

True, these options are technically filling in the blanks, but they’re not actually showing that the person already possesses the skill they’re claiming they have. Making a persuasive argument isn’t the same as leading a team, writing strong statuses isn’t the same as writing lengthy content, and being self-motivated enough to learn to code doesn't mean you already can. In other words, saying you’re capable of learning a new skill is not the same as saying you've been using it all along, just in a different way.

If you’re not sure whether your example highlights your abilities (or looks like you’re reaching), ask yourself if you can give two separate examples of how you’d use that skill in your new role. If you can think of more than one way it applies, you know it’s not a fluke and something you could really rely on in your new job.

Once you confirm that, the next step is to work these lines into your application. This cover letter template makes it easy—or at least a little bit easier. Once that’s set, pat yourself on the back because you just made a pretty strong case for yourself to land an interview at your dream job.

Top 10 Transferable Skills to Put on Your Resume

Customers Interviewed by:

The vast majority of employers (93%) say that transferable skills play a key role in their decision-making process about who to hire. 

Unfortunately, most job seekers struggle to identify their transferable skills and don’t feel confident talking about them to potential employers, according to a LiveCareer survey . 

Does this sound like you?

If so, this article will help you understand what transferable skills are, why they’re important, and how to identify your own transferable skills.

In This Article

What are the top transferable skills to add to your resume, what are transferable skills, the top 10 transferable skills, how to identify relevant transferable skills, how to highlight transferable skills on a resume, how to highlight transferable skills in a job interview, why are transferable skills important.

Here are ten transferable skills you should consider adding to your resume to make you a more attractive job candidate:

• Communication
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Dependability
• Digital skills

No matter what kind of job you’re applying to, having these skills on your resume will increase your chances of getting a job interview.

Use Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates and start building your resume that gets noticed by recruiters!

Transferable skills can be applied to any job in any field or industry. They’re especially important if you’re thinking about changing careers .

For example, if you work in customer service you probably have good communication and problem-solving skills. You could then “transfer” these skills to a job as an administrative or executive assistant, an account manager, a teacher, or a product manager. 

That’s why transferable skills are also known as “portable skills.” They are the abilities you acquire and then take with you from one job to another. 

Transferable skills can be either hard or soft . 

Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that you learn through formal education or training. They include things like data analysis, accounting, and speaking foreign languages. 

Soft skills , on the other hand, are personality traits that enable you to interact effectively with other people. Examples include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management .

Don’t underestimate the importance of your transferable soft skills! 

Employers are increasingly looking for people who have resume skills that show they’re able to work well with others, handle stress, and think creatively.

“I never judge people by their education and qualifications,” says Richard Branson , the founder of the Virgin Group. “We focus on hiring people with transferable skills – team players who can pitch in and help others in all sorts of situations.”

Strong transferable skills show employers that you can perform well in a new role, even if it’s outside of your current field or industry.

While every job requires specific skills and experience, some core transferable skills will help you succeed in any role.

Here are the top 10 transferable skills you should consider adding to your resume:

1) Communication

Communication is the #1 transferable skill that employers are looking for, according to a report by Ziprecruiter . 

Communication is the ability to express your thoughts, ideas, and feelings verbally or in writing. This skill is essential for any job, no matter the industry or field.

Good communication isn’t just about expressing yourself – it’s also about listening carefully to others . This can help avoid conflicts at work, improve morale, and strengthen relationships.

Some examples of how you use communication skills at work include:

• Speaking publicly or leading group presentations or workshops.
• Developing relationships with clients, vendors, and other external stakeholders.
• Producing effective written materials, such as emails, newsletters, and reports.
• Creating content that is tailored to the needs of various target audiences.
• Adjusting communication style to meet the needs of different cultures.

2) Time management

Did you know that spending 10 minutes planning your day will save you at least 2 hours later on?

Despite this, 82% of people don’t have a time management system  – a key mistake that wastes time, money, and resources. 

This is why hiring managers love to see time management skills on resumes!

Some examples of how you use time management skills at work include:

• Setting realistic timelines and prioritizing tasks to ensure deadlines are met.
• Using task-management software such as Hubspot, Trello, Asana, etc.
• Delegating responsibilities to team members or colleagues when necessary.
• Anticipating potential problems and taking the initiative to create solutions.
• Adjusting goals as necessary based on changing timelines or priorities.

3) Problem-solving

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.”   -Duke Ellington

No company wants to hire someone who can’t solve problems on their own and instead comes running to the manager every time something goes wrong. 

This is why hiring managers are always looking for employees that don’t shy away from difficult challenges and can come up with creative solutions to any problem.

Examples of using problem-solving skills at work include:

• Resolving customer complaints quickly and efficiently.
• Troubleshooting and fixing technical issues.
• Designing processes and systems to increase efficiency and productivity.
• Conducting research to find a new solution to a problem. 
• Handling and resolving a conflict with a coworker.

4) Teamwork

Being able to work on a team and collaborate is more important than ever. 

Employees today spend 50 % more time collaborating with others than they did only 20 years ago!

No matter what job you’re applying for, it’s likely that you’ll be working with a team in some capacity. This means you must show potential employers that you have the ability to collaborate and contribute to the group.

Examples of how you use teamwork skills at the office include:

• Contributing ideas and solutions to team meetings and brainstorming sessions.
• Acknowledging and celebrating other people’s contributions.
• Meeting deadlines in a reliable way.  
• Accepting feedback from others and using it productively.
• Respectfully listening to the opinions of others, even if you disagree.

5) Creativity

Some jobs might not seem like they require much creativity, but this skill is a valuable one to have in most workplaces.

In fact, 94% of hiring managers say that it’s important to consider creativity when reviewing job applicants!

Creativity at work means thinking outside the box, seeing things from a new perspective, and coming up with fresh, innovative ideas.

Ultimately, creative employees generate original solutions to help an organization remain competitive in today’s ever-changing marketplace.

Some examples of how you can be creative at work include:

• Reinvigorating an aging customer base through new marketing tactics.
• Creating original content for company newsletters, emails, and websites.
• Successfully negotiating deals with suppliers for better pricing and terms.
• Spearheading the launch of new product lines, thus increasing revenue.
• Using data-driven insights to identify potential areas for innovation and growth.

6) Critical thinking

The importance of having critical thinking skills will grow over the next five years, according to the World Economic Forum .

Why? Because the world is rapidly changing. 

More than ever, businesses need workers who can think on their feet, assess problems with an open mind, and make decisions based on facts and reason rather than emotion or opinion.

Some examples of using critical thinking skills at work include:

• Analyzing customer feedback to identify problems or areas of improvement.
• Monitoring changes in the industry, and implementing new solutions as needed.
• Assessing the risks associated with various tasks before taking on new projects.
• Examining situations from multiple perspectives.
• Evaluating data to identify trends, patterns, and correlations.

7) Initiative

“A lot of people never use their initiative because no one told them to.”   ― Banksy

Initiative is the ability to take action without waiting for instruction or direction from someone else.

Employees who show initiative take ownership of their work, identify potential problems and solutions, and act on them with minimal guidance from supervisors.

Examples of how to use initiative at work include:

• Working independently to research and develop cost-saving strategies.
• Actively participate in conferences, workshops, and other professional events.
• Offering to lead or participate in special projects that tackle complex issues.
• Looking for opportunities to improve existing systems.
• Developing an online training program for new employees.

8) Dependability

Dependability is all about being reliable and consistent. This means showing up on time, meeting deadlines, and doing your job well.

Dependability is one of the most important transferable skills for those working in highly structured environments such as the military, law enforcement, and healthcare. 

Regardless of the job, if you can prove to potential employers that you’re dependable, you’ll have a significant advantage over other job candidates based on that one skill alone!

Examples of showing dependability at work include:

• Arriving on time to work, meetings, and other required commitments.
• Maintaining a positive attitude and work ethic, even under difficult circumstances.
• Following company protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Communicating openly and honestly when issues arise or updates are needed.
• Taking responsibility for errors or misunderstandings and offering solutions.

As workplaces become more digital and less in-person, empathy skills have become increasingly important. 

Empathy helps us understand how other people feel. It allows us to put ourselves in their shoes and think about how our decisions might impact them.

Empathy is especially important for managers and leaders . In fact, empathy is called an essential quality numerous times in the U.S. Army’s Field Manual on Leader Development .

Examples of how to show empathy at work include: 

• Being patient and understanding with colleagues.
• Asking questions to better understand someone’s point of view. 
• Sharing relevant experiences or stories that can help build a connection. 
• Being respectful and kind when giving feedback.
• Checking in regularly with colleagues to see how they are doing.

10) Digital skills

Nearly one in three workers lack foundational digital skills, according to a report by the National Skills Coalition .

Surprisingly, these workers are not necessarily older adults – many young people are also digitally illiterate. “Sadly, neither watching TikTok videos nor playing Minecraft fulfills the technology brief,” says Ludmila Milla , CEO of an e-learning provider. 

Unfortunately, if you don’t have good digital skills in today’s world, your career prospects will be severely limited.

Examples of using digital skills at work include:

• Using common software programs.
• Creating and editing documents, 
• Working with spreadsheets and databases. 
• Using the internet for research.
• Communicating using email and instant messaging.

Many job seekers struggle to identify their transferable skills. If you’re one of them, here are four tips to help you out:

1) Make a list of your past experiences

Start by listing all the jobs, internships, volunteer positions, and extracurricular activities you’ve participated in during your career. 

What tasks did you perform? How did you go about doing them? What tools, resources or technology did you use and how proficient were you when using them? 

2) Identify the skills required for the job you’re targeting

Next, look at the job description for the position you’re interested in and identify the required or preferred skills.

3) Match your skills to the job requirements

Once you’ve identified the relevant skills for the job you’re targeting, look at your past experiences and see if there are any skills you can transfer to the new role. 

If there are, make sure to highlight those on your resume and in your cover letter .

4) Highlight your ability to learn new things quickly

In addition to showcasing relevant transferable skills, it’s important to highlight your ability to learn new things quickly. This will show employers that you’re adaptable and willing to take on new challenges.

Most job seekers overlook the importance of highlighting their transferable skills when writing their resume . This is a mistake!

Here are three ways to maximize the impact of your transferable skills on your resume so that you can make a great impression on potential employers. 

1) Use specific examples

To demonstrate transferable skills effectively, you must provide specific examples of times when you have used these skills.

For example, if you are trying to highlight your teamwork skills, you could mention a time when you successfully worked on a team project at work or school and another time when you helped with a community service project.

If you are trying to show that you have good communication skills, give an example of a time when you had to explain a complex concept to someone unfamiliar with it.

Always use strong action verbs to introduce a skill. This will help your resume stand out.

2) Focus on the skills listed in job descriptions

When figuring out which transferable skills to highlight on your resume, look for skills mentioned in the job descriptions of your desired positions.

For example, if the job description mentions that the ideal candidate should be “detail-oriented,” and “have excellent time management skills,” you should mention examples of times when you have demonstrated both of these skills in your previous experiences.

3) Tailor your resume to each job using keywords

Not only should you focus on the skills listed in the job description, but you should also try to use the exact same words used to describe those skills on your resume . 

These are called keywords (keywords can also be phrases).

For example, if a job description mentions that the ideal candidate should have “experience with customer service,” you should include the keyword “customer service” on your resume (don’t lie though). 

Keywords are super important these days. Why? Because most companies use computer software to help them in the hiring process.

This software is called an applicant tracking system, or ATS . It’s essentially a database that your resume is automatically sent to when you submit your application.

Hiring managers use the ATS to find suitable job candidates by typing keywords into the search bar. If your resume contains these keywords, the hiring managers will see it.

If your resume does not contain these keywords, it will remain in the database, unseen. 

This is why it’s so important to tailor your resume to each and every job you apply to!

For example, in this job description for an accountant, the hard and soft skills required for the job have been underlined.  

If you were to tailor your resume to this specific job, it might look something like this:

In this example, Adrian puts the hard and soft skills found in the job description into his resume’s skills section. 

He also includes some of the keywords in his resume summary to increase his chances that a hiring manager will find his resume through an ATS search.

Using keywords is one of the most effective ways to feature your transferable skills on your resume. 

It might take a little more time and effort to tailor each resume to the specific job opening , but it will definitely help you get more job interviews!

Make your resume stand out and get noticed

Upload your resume to see what’s missing and get a free match rate.

View full results and optimize your resume

Are you preparing for a job interview ? Congratulations! Now that you are prepping, it’s essential to identify and highlight all the transferable skills you will bring to the new role.

Here are three ways to showcase your transferable skills during a job interview:

1) Use those skills in the interview itself

When you go into a job interview, the interviewer will ask about your skills, but more importantly, they will be looking to see how you use those skills in the real world.  

For example, if you are applying for a job as a customer service representative, the interviewer may ask you to role-play a scenario where a customer is angry or upset. 

This is your opportunity to show off your problem-solving, conflict resolution, and people skills – during the interview itself!

2) Make connections to the responsibilities required in the new job

As you answer questions in the interview, make sure to explain what skills you have that could be applied to the new role.

For example, if the job requires excellent problem-solving skills, you could discuss a project or task that required a lot of strategizing and problem-solving to complete successfully. 

If the job involves teamwork, provide examples of team projects you have participated in and discuss how you were able to work with others to reach a successful outcome. 

Pro Tip : Think of examples before the interview so you don’t have to struggle to come up with them during the interview.

3) Be specific

Don’t just list your good transferable skills in a job interview. The interviewer wants to hear specific examples of how you have used those skills in the past. 

Examples provide concrete evidence that you can do what you claim to be able to do. 

If you can share any hard numbers related to your success, such as increased sales or productivity metrics, be sure to include them!

For example, if you want to highlight your initiative skills, you might say, “I created a process that saved 300 hours of manual labor a month and reduced costs by 10% annually.”

Or if you want to show off your communication skills, you could say, “I worked in customer service for the past five years and was able to decrease customer complaints by 30% within my first year.”

Providing concrete examples of accomplishments will demonstrate that you are an experienced professional who is confident in their abilities.

The world is changing. Digital technology and automation are transforming the job market, resulting in a growing demand for transferable skills.

According to a survey of employers, 75% of them said that they considered transferable skills to be equal to or above technical skills when recruiting new employees.

In today’s competitive job market, having transferable skills isn’t just a bonus – it’s a necessity. 

Here are four reasons why having transferable skills is important for your career.

1) Transferable skills make up for lack of experience

If you’re applying for a job you’re not quite qualified for, transferable skills can help fill in the gaps. 

For example, if you’re applying to a job that requires more experience than you have, you can highlight transferable skills such as your ability to learn quickly or your willingness to take on new challenges.

2. Transferable skills make you more attractive to employers

In general, employers are looking for candidates who are well-rounded and have a diverse set of skills. 

By showcasing your transferable skills on your resume, you can make yourself more attractive to potential employers and increase your chances of being hired.

3. Transferable skills help you transition to a new career

Transferable skills can be extremely helpful if you want to make a career change . 

By focusing on the skills that are transferable to your new desired field, you can show employers that you have the potential to succeed in the role, even if you don’t have direct experience in the industry.

4. Transferable skills enable you to succeed in your current role

Even if you’re not looking for a new job, developing and highlighting your transferable skills can help you be more successful in your current role. 

For example, if you’re looking to be promoted, developing leadership skills is a great way to show your superiors that you’re ready for the next level.

The great thing about transferable skills is that we all have them! It’s just a matter of identifying them and highlighting the relevant ones on your resume and during a job interview.

Remember, the best way to increase your chances of getting an interview is to tailor each and every resume to the specific job you’re applying to. Good luck!

More expert insights on this topic:

6 Critical Thinking Skills to Supercharge Your Resume

7 Time Management Skills You Should Include on Your Resume

Interpersonal Skills Examples in 2024

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

Related Articles

September 13, 2024

September 11, 2024

September 10, 2024

September 9, 2024

August 28, 2024

August 27, 2024

Join 2 million job seekers who get bi-weekly job search tips

Get insider knowledge and ready-to-use job-seeking tips and hacks delivered to your inbox.

What Are Transferable Skills? (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

If you’re getting ready to launch a job search, there’s a good chance you’ve tripped across information about transferable skills. Transferable skills are often touted as the key to a successful career change and getting your first job, particularly if you don’t have much direct experience.

While that’s all true, transferable skills are valuable no matter where your career takes you. In many ways, they are the secret sauce to success, helping you shift your professional direction – both slightly and dramatically – whenever the need arises.

But what are transferable skills? How do you know if you have them? Are there any great transferable skills examples that can serve as a guide? If you’re asking yourself questions like that, you’re in luck. We’re going to cover all of that and more.

What Are Transferable Skills?

Alright, before we take a close look at transferable skills examples, let’s answer an important question: what are transferable skills?

To answer that, it’s best to start with the basics. What is the transferable skills definition? Well, according to the Cambridge Dictionary , transferable skills are “skills used in one job or career that can also be used in another.” That’s pretty spot-on, really.

Any skill that you can apply to multiple different jobs and fields is transferable. That’s also why these capabilities are called “portable skills” in some circles. You can take them with you wherever you go and make use of them once you get where you’re headed.

In many cases, soft skills are the clearest example of transferable skills. They are a set of traits that help you excel in the workplace, not just when doing a particular activity.

However, that doesn’t mean hard skills aren’t portable, too. Now, hard skills usually aren’t quite as versatile as soft skills. Various kinds of technical expertise are only relevant in specific niches.

But that doesn’t mean a whole slew of jobs don’t require similar kinds of technical knowledge or experience with certain tools. That makes those hard skills transferable, though in a more limited capacity.

In the end, any skill that you can apply in more than one job can be considered portable. Some may be more versatile than others, as certain ones are only transferable within a specific context. But some are applicable to nearly any kind of role, making them potent additions to your arsenal of capabilities.

How Are Transferable Skills Relevant to a Job Search?

Saying that transferable skills are incredibly relevant to your career feels like a massive understatement. Those capabilities are little job search powerhouse. Not only can they help you identify opportunities, but they can make you a stronger candidate for most positions you may want to land.

On the job search side of the equation, let’s focus on a few commonly-held transferable skills: research , communication , and organization . Those can all help you throughout the hiring process. They make it easier to identify job ads that meet your needs, track your applications, communicate with hiring managers, and more.

And that’s just three skills that fall into that “portable” category. Many others can also boost your job search.

Once you land a job, those same skills can support your success on the job. Using the example skills above, they help you with problem-solving , time management , and collaboration . All of that is crucial in essentially any role.

Really, that just scratches the surface of how transferable skills make a difference. Plus, most of these are in-demand capabilities that hiring managers want to find in candidates. Bonus!

In some cases, hiring managers will specifically ask for skills that qualify as highly portable. Problem-solving , for instance, is something you may learn at any point in your career, and it’s almost universally valued by employers. Attention to detail is another biggie, as well as accountability, flexibility, and agility.

When hiring managers choose candidates, they aren’t just looking for relevant technical knowledge. Yes, that’s part of the equation, but only a portion.

Today, an increasing number of companies hire for potential. If you have the right transferable soft skills, they may be willing to teach you the technical stuff. That’s a boon for any job seeker who is looking to either launch their first career or pivot into a new one.

Now, it’s important to note that hiring managers aren’t going to ask for “transferable skills” specifically. Instead, they are going to talk about the capabilities they are after. But they might not be worried about where you acquired them. That’s why portable skills are so awesome.

How to Highlight Transferable Skills for Job Search

Okay, by now, you should have a decent idea about what transferable skills are and why they matter. But how do you highlight the right ones during your job search? Well, by using the same approach you would for skills acquired in the field.

With transferable skills, the difference isn’t really in the capability itself. Instead, it’s the fact that you earned or developed it outside of the field the new job is in.

Whether you’re writing a resume , creating a cover letter , or preparing answers for classic job interview questions , you simply want to present the skills the right way. What’s the right way? It’s “showing” instead of “telling.”

Think about it this way. If you were read two resumes, one where the person simply said “I have skill X” and the other that discussed an accomplishment where they put skill X to work, which one would be more compelling? The second one, right? Of course.

As with all skills, you want to use an accomplishment-based approach. By outlining transferable skills examples that demonstrate how you put your skills to work, you give the hiring manager critical context. It’s a must more impactful strategy, and it’s more likely to land you an interview and, ultimately, the job.

How do you know which skills to list? Well, by using the Tailoring Method . With the Tailoring Method, it’s all about showcasing relevant capabilities. You research the exact role, learn more about the must-have capabilities, and focus on highlighting those skills. That way, your application and interview answers speak to the hiring manager’s needs, which is really what it’s all about.

How to Develop Transferable Skills If You Don’t Have Them

Alright, before we dig into how to develop transferable skills, it’s important to understand that there’s a good chance you actually do have transferable skills. The thing is, not everyone realizes that they have them.

In a survey of workers who were displaced by the pandemic, 57 percent couldn’t identify – with a high degree of certainty – their transferable skills. So, if you’re having trouble seeing yours, you aren’t alone.

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Spend time reflecting on your past work, school, volunteering, and other experiences. Consider what skills helped you do what you needed to do. Then, think about how you can use those capabilities elsewhere. Any skill that passes that test is potentially portable.

Now, does that mean you can’t develop more? Of course not. Here’s a look at some steps you can take if you want to boost your skillset.

Skill-Building Jobs

Any job can potentially give you transferable skills. Most positions require you to use a range of soft skills that can easily move into different fields. If you’re genuinely starting from the beginning, any role could be a great option.

Consider which skills could help you move toward your preferred career. Then, explore all of the job options that can let you hone them. While it may mean exploring positions you would have otherwise overlooked, if you’re early in your career or making a dramatic change, this could be worthwhile.

Plus, you don’t have to focus on full-time, permanent opportunities. Even a temporary position can do the trick. Stay open-minded. By doing that, you could find a great option.

If you’re looking for something more flexible, gig work can also be great for skill development. You may be able to find entry-level options that let you hone a wide range of skills, both hard and soft.

Volunteering

Never underestimate the power of volunteering. In many volunteer positions, you’ll learn crucial skills. After all, soft skills like communication, collaboration, and organization are practically universal, so you’ll be able to develop foundational capabilities like those nearly anywhere.

Taking a Class

Thanks to the internet, there’s a class on essentially any skill. As a bonus, many of them are either free or incredibly inexpensive, so you won’t have to invest a ton to take advantage of these skill-building opportunities.

Figure out which skills you want to develop. Then, do a quick search to see if there are courses available. Places like Coursera and Khan Academy can be great places to start, but they certainly aren’t the only options available.

Join a Club

Yes, there are clubs that can help you develop transferable skills. Toastmasters is a prime example, as it helps people get together to work on public speaking, communication, and leadership. However, you don’t have to stop there.

Many meetups are skill-oriented. Plus, even casual ones like book clubs could help you develop your capabilities. If you choose skill-boosting books, you can get a two-for-one experience, making it even more valuable.

Personal Responsibilities

Throughout your daily life, you put all kinds of skills to work. While you might not be able to list them all on your resume, you can use these activities to improve in key areas.

Want to boost your organizational skills? Take a look at your finances, family schedule, and similar responsibilities for opportunities. Need to practice communicating? Schedule talks with friends and family about a certain topic.

If you look at your life, you may be surprised about how many opportunities arise during a typical day. Don’t overlook them. Instead, seize them, allowing you to grow professionally each and every day.

List of Transferable Skills

Okay, you probably have a good idea about what transferable skills are and how to build them. Not, it’s time for some amazing transferable skills examples. Here are some of the most common portable skills today:

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Organization
• Time Management
• Flexibility
• Tech-Savviness
• Attention to Detail
• Accountability
• Relationship-Building
• Active Listening
• Basic Mathematics
• Negotiation
• Public Speaking
• Brainstorming
• Troubleshooting
• Strategic Thinking

Is that every transferable skill on the planet? No, it isn’t. Those are simply the ones that many people have that are highly portable.

Remember, any skill is potentially transferable. It simply depends on the job you’re trying to land. If it’s relevant to the role, where you got the skill isn’t as important as the fact that you have it. So, make sure to highlight it during your job search.

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, any capability that you can take with you, even if you change careers, is potentially a transferable skill. Reflect on your past experience to identify yours, and work to earn the ones you’ll need for your next job. That way, you can keep your career moving, no matter where you want to go.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

Copyright © 2024 · TheInterviewguys.com · All Rights Reserved

• Our Products
• Case Studies
• Interview Questions
• Jobs Articles
• Members Login

• Company-Hosted Events
• Smeal Corporate Partner Atrium Day
• BCC Professional Development Workshops
• Career Fair
• Conferences
• Case Competitions
• Leadership Development
• Career Fair Prep Tips
• Networking Resources and Tips
• Researching Companies
• Alumni Mentoring Program
• General Internship & Job Search Websites
• Skills Employers Are Looking For
• Career Podcasts
• Working Virtually
• Resumes and Cover Letters
• Interviewing and Thank Yous
• Researching Companies, Networking, & Career Fairs
• Hiring Statistics and Salary Information
• BA297, BA395A, and Bootcamps
• Build Skills with LinkedIn Learning
• International Students
• Smeal Undergraduates and Smeal-Tracking Students
• Change of Campus Students
• Black & African American
• Featured Jobs
• Actuarial Science
• Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Management Information Systems
• Real Estate
• Risk Management
• Supply Chain & Information Systems
• Welcome to the Business Career Center
• Career Service Interns

25 Transferable Skills Employers Look For

• Share This: Share 25 Transferable Skills Employers Look For on Facebook Share 25 Transferable Skills Employers Look For on LinkedIn Share 25 Transferable Skills Employers Look For on X

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 .

9 Transferable Skills That Can Help You in Life

Learn about transferable skills and why they are so important..

Posted June 3, 2024 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

Cowritten by Nathalie Boutros and Tchiki Davis.

The average person can expect to hold 12 different jobs in his or her lifetime (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). With all this job-changing, how can you navigate your career in the direction that you want to take it? One way to improve your career prospects may be to cultivate your transferable skills.

Transferable skills are those skills that are useful, and maybe even necessary, to the performance of a wide variety of jobs. A skill may be considered transferable if you learn and perfect it in one context, like school, a job, volunteer work, or a hobby, and then can use that skill in new and different situations (Nagele & Stalder, 2017). A huge range of skills, proficiencies, competencies, and talents may qualify as transferable skills. Some transferable skills are very specific and technical—for example, knowledge of specific software or industry regulations. Other transferable skills are more generic such as a general proficiency with computers, or fluency in a foreign language. A third category of transferable skills is often called “soft skills," such as the ability to communicate effectively and problem-solve creatively.

Soft skills are a type of transferable skills that are often needed to successfully apply technical skills and knowledge (Bancino & Zevalkink, 2007). For example, a restaurant manager’s ability to create a work schedule for a large staff requires technical skills like numeracy, literacy, computer proficiency, and administrative skills. Creating a schedule that staff members are generally happy with also requires the soft skills of empathy, leadership , and listening. ( Learn more about some of your soft skills through this well-being quiz.)

Why Transferable Skills Are Important

Change is an increasingly large part of people’s professional lives. Even within the same job, you may often change teams or projects. Having skills that transfer from one situation to another may be extremely helpful when adapting to these frequent changes in your roles and responsibilities.

While technical skills that are readily transferable across contexts may serve you well, having soft skills such as ambiguity tolerance, cultural acceptance, self-confidence , creative thinking , and the ability to give and receive feedback may be particularly valuable (de Villiers, 2010). Having a set of soft skills that you can carry from one role to another may even improve your earning potential. People with the soft skills of leadership, planning, and problem-solving tend to have higher incomes (Ramos et al., 2013).

Examples of Transferable Skills

Skills and proficiencies that tend to be important across workplace settings include (Nagele & Stalder, 2017):

• Fundamental skills – literacy, numeracy, proficiency with technology, and physical skills.
• People skills – oral and written communication, interpersonal skills, influencing, negotiating, teamwork , customer service, leadership, and management.
• Conceptualizing or thinking skills – managing information, problem-solving, organizing and planning, critical thinking, systems thinking, time-management, and teachability.
• Business skills – innovation, entrepreneurship, and administrative skills.
• Community skills – citizenship, work ethic, emotional labor , cultural awareness, and expression.

Although skills from each category may be required to do most jobs, the specific skills needed to perform a specific job may vary. Some transferable skills are more general than others. For example, basic communication and literacy skills will probably be required in most jobs. Other transferable skills may not be valued in as many jobs or industries. For example, customer service skills may not be as strongly valued in manufacturing roles as they are in cashier roles.

Transferable skills can be organized into broad categories of specific competencies and strengths (Ramos et al., 2013). Describing your specific abilities may be more informative than making broad statements about your generic skills.

• Literacy Skills – reading and writing documents, memos, forms, or reports.
• Leadership Skills – coaching and motivating staff, developing staff competencies, planning activities, making strategic decisions, and managing resources.
• Physical Skills – physical strength, dexterity with your hands, endurance, and stamina.
• Problem Solving Skills – spotting and analyzing problems, identifying causes, and finding solutions.
• Influencing Skills – advising customers, persuading others, dealing with people, making speeches and presentations.
• Teamwork Skills – working in teams, listening to colleagues, paying attention to details.
• Planning Skills – time-management, organizing, and planning tasks.
• Numeracy Skills – working with numbers or using advanced mathematical and statistical tools.
• Emotional Labor – language skills, negotiation, emotion -regulation, and managing other people's feelings.

Transferring your skills from one situation to another may not be easy (Saks et al., 2014). The ability to recognize which of your skills may serve you well in a new situation is itself a skill. And recognizing which of your skills are transferable and what new skills you may need to pursue may be the most valuable transferable skill of all.

Adapted from a post on transferable skills published by The Berkeley Well-Being Institute.

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• International
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Self Tests NEW
• Therapy Center
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

• Career Advice

Parlez-vous ‘Skills’?

Mary Anne Cusato and Barbara MacLeod describe how transferable skills assignments can boost morale and reiterate the value of the liberal arts across disciplines.

By  Mary Anne Lewis Cusato and Barbara MacLeod

You have / 5 articles left. Sign up for a free account or log in.

phototechno /istock/getty images plus

“What am I going to do with this?” “Why do I need to take this class?” “When am I ever going to use this?”

Such questions might begin to creep in as grades are returned, the workload piles up and the winter months begin to turn to spring. And such questions reflect a tendency of so many students to perceive higher education and its courses as mere content widgets, arbitrary dispensaries of intellectual material forced upon them for no good reason in order to earn that diploma.

One way to help students reframe their thinking about education is to create transferable skills assignments. And as we move toward the end of the semester’s work, the two of us—Mary Anne, a faculty member in a world languages and cultures department, and Barbara, an economics and business professor—are eager to encourage other instructors to implement these types of assignments based on our very positive experiences offering them in our own classes.

Indeed, this is a story of two faculty members who have used such assignments in very different disciplines to shine light on something we must increasingly do with our students: intentionally develop transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, time management and more. Although the content of our courses differs significantly, we have found remarkable similarities in our students’ increased buy-in, motivation and even disciplinary appreciation as we’ve worked with them in explicit, purposeful ways on transferable skills. Through transferable skills assignments, we remind students of the importance of not only the content they have covered but also the intellectual muscles they have developed—and are continuing to hone—as they engage with the course material in a variety of ways.

Beyond the Box to Be Checked

Let’s take a moment to put ourselves in a student’s shoes. As we all know, the goal for most students is obtaining a diploma and gaining access to the workforce or graduate school. Get the piece of paper, and move on.

Now, imagine that it is the end of the semester in a required course—a general education requirement like English composition, for instance. The professor brings in a list of something called “transferable skills” and engages the class in a discussion.

“Instead of working on our close reading or argumentation techniques today,” she begins, “I want to ask you to step back and think about the skills you have used, developed and strengthened in order to engage with the in-class work as well as the homework.”

She might distribute a copy of a recently published list of skills and attributes from the National Association of Colleges and Employers as a starting point for the discussion. “Let’s look at these together,” she continues. “What do you notice? What surprises you? Does this list give you some language to use to describe the intellectual muscles you’ve been strengthening throughout the course?” The conversation begins.

And just like that, students are thinking not just about that box to be checked or the content with which they’ve been working, they’re thinking about what they now know how to do and how they can use it. And they’re imagining new contexts that would benefit from the skills they’ve been honing right there in class.

Mary Anne is well aware that colleges around the country have cut French departments and programs. So she’s especially motivated to keep her curriculum as relevant as possible through the transferable skills assignment she’s developed. She has used a version of it in every one of her classes for four years. Some students complete this assignment multiple times, and they always appreciate it. It gives them a moment to escape the narrow perspective of just checking the boxes along the path to a degree. It gives them a moment to imagine how education connects to life beyond the formal classroom now and into the future. And it gives them a chance to see that the boxes need to be checked for good reason: in order to develop intellectual muscles that they will use throughout their careers—whether through the discipline of philosophy, business, language, culture, the arts, biology or any other field.

For her part, Barbara teaches a variety of finance courses, all at the undergraduate level. Of course, the financial content of those is crucial, but she also wants to teach students to be lifelong learners, appreciative of their strengths and equipped with feasible tools to improve their weaknesses. So she developed her own assignment to help juniors who were looking for internships. It was so successful that she expanded it to other classes as well, including an introduction-to-the university course for transfer students.

Editors' Picks

• The Prestige Factor Propping Up Academic Publishers
• Undocumented Student Enrollments Have Plummeted in UC and CSU Systems
• Female Law Faculty, Students Across the Country Are Getting Unsettling Texts

Barbara stages the assignment over the course of the semester. In the first week, students identify three skills that they feel are strengths and one—only one —they want to work on that semester. Focusing on developing one skill for a specific period of time is key to success and to avoid being overwhelmed.

She provides a list of skills to help them think broadly but also asks them to identify important skills they have that aren’t on the list. For example, one of her own skills is solving puzzles, whether those found in Sudoku or mystery novels. She’s never seen that skill highlighted, but it applies in many areas. For instance, it is invaluable in her work when she reads financial statements and digs into what is really happening in a company. In the same way, in response to the assignment, students have chosen to improve everything from Excel skills to their self-confidence.

Next, Barbara tasks the students with sharing a story that exemplifies their identified “strong” skill. While they only have to write one paragraph, she then gives copious feedback to prepare them to use the story in a job interview.

For instance, to exemplify her skill, one student wrote the following:

“I worked at a company as a human resource coordinator intern. I communicated with new employees in English and Spanish and provided guidance and direction in navigating the onboarding and background drug-screening applications while ensuring employees felt valued and appreciated. One story that stands out to me was Josie’s. She spoke very little English and was having trouble understanding the onboarding process. I spent hours on the phone with her over a three-day period. On the third day, she finished the onboarding process and sent me a heartfelt message showing her appreciation towards me and the support I provided her. Not only did my interpersonal skills allow me to complete close to 500 onboarding applications during my time working there, but I was able to make a difference in lives of people like Josie.”

Furthermore, throughout the semester, students keep a journal to record any compliments they receive. In reviewing this list later, it is not only a tremendous morale booster, but students can see trends that they might not otherwise have noticed from day-to-day interactions. One student said she initially thought the journal was “hokey” but found that it, in fact, turned out to be very valuable.

Finally, at the end of term, students write a reflective essay on the whole experience. One wrote that she thought it was strange that they were doing so much self-reflection in a class that was quantitative and straight-forward, but by the end she realized that the “soft” skills “were absolutely essential” for success on group projects and could also be applied to many areas beyond the class.

Some students were able to see their desired skill enhanced in multiple classes, so their approach became more integrative. Indeed, one attributed his job offer to the preparation he had from this assignment. Another wrote that he previously avoided talking to people because he was an introvert but deliberately chose to talk to groups, advisers and professors for this assignment. He reported that he now feels much more comfortable talking with new people. Another young woman wrote, “This assignment forced me to take action on things that I knew I wanted and needed to do but probably would not have if just left up to me.”

Similarly, in one of Mary Anne’s second semester French courses, a student in neuroscience and French wrote: “No matter what career path I pursue, I will need to show my ability to work with others, to take reasonable critique from my peers and superiors, and to communicate in an effective manner. These were all strengthened in French II.” Another wrote about improving communication skills, collaborating with classmates, and pushing herself “out of [her] comfort zone both intellectually and culturally.” She appreciated this progress and believes it to be “easily transferable to many industries and extremely helpful in many contexts.”

Mary Anne also has held workshops with faculty members at her institution to help them understand transferable skills and develop an assignment they could use in one of their courses to guide students in reflecting on and articulating skills. More than one-fifth of the faculty, from many different fields, have attended those voluntary workshops, and many of them continue to share with her anecdotes and testimonials from students about the importance of skills emphasis.

Across disciplines, then, we have found that emphasizing skills in an explicit, purposeful and scaffolded way infuses the curriculum with a sense of utility and purpose. When we ask students to look into the mirror and observe and articulate their own development, they emerge from that experience hopeful, motivated, proud and, we believe, better educated. And they see the learning process as one that is meant to continue to be enjoyed and shared—to improve their present and future alike. It’s a perfect way to resume work after spring break, as it instills students with energy, perspective, enthusiasm and appreciation.

Mary Anne Lewis Cusato is associate professor of language and cultures of the French-speaking world and founding former co-director of the Global Studies Institute and Palmer Global Scholars Program at Ohio Wesleyan University. She is also a scholar and practitioner of professionalization and connecting coursework with the workplace. Barbara MacLeod is John J. Joseph Chair in Business Administration and Joseph A. Meek Chair in Economics and Business   at the university.

The Hidden Career Superpower

Building genuine relationships through networking can differentiate between those who thrive and those who get lost i

Share This Article

More from career advice.

Academia Broke Me

Becoming an academic editor gave me my life back, writes Paulina S.

A Career Option Humanities Ph.D.s Should Consider

Jobs in career advising for grad students call on the natural skills of such Ph.D.s and are both fulfilling and in de

How to Give Up Tenure—Twice—and Thrive

Regardless of our fears and challenges, Heather Braun writes, we all can take actions, however small, that will over

• Become a Member
• Sign up for Newsletters
• Learning & Assessment
• Diversity & Equity
• Career Development
• Labor & Unionization
• Shared Governance
• Academic Freedom
• Books & Publishing
• Financial Aid
• Residential Life
• Free Speech
• Physical & Mental Health
• Race & Ethnicity
• Sex & Gender
• Socioeconomics
• Traditional-Age
• Adult & Post-Traditional
• Teaching & Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Publishing
• Data Analytics
• Administrative Tech
• Alternative Credentials
• Financial Health
• Cost-Cutting
• Revenue Strategies
• Academic Programs
• Physical Campuses
• Mergers & Collaboration
• Fundraising
• Research Universities
• Regional Public Universities
• Community Colleges
• Private Nonprofit Colleges
• Minority-Serving Institutions
• Religious Colleges
• Women's Colleges
• Specialized Colleges
• For-Profit Colleges
• Executive Leadership
• Trustees & Regents
• State Oversight
• Accreditation
• Politics & Elections
• Supreme Court
• Student Aid Policy
• Science & Research Policy
• State Policy
• Colleges & Localities
• Employee Satisfaction
• Remote & Flexible Work
• Staff Issues
• Study Abroad
• International Students in U.S.
• U.S. Colleges in the World
• Intellectual Affairs
• Seeking a Faculty Job
• Advancing in the Faculty
• Seeking an Administrative Job
• Advancing as an Administrator
• Beyond Transfer
• Call to Action
• Confessions of a Community College Dean
• Higher Ed Gamma
• Higher Ed Policy
• Just Explain It to Me!
• Just Visiting
• Law, Policy—and IT?
• Leadership & StratEDgy
• Leadership in Higher Education
• Learning Innovation
• Online: Trending Now
• Resident Scholar
• University of Venus
• Student Voice
• Academic Life
• Health & Wellness
• The College Experience
• Life After College
• Academic Minute
• Weekly Wisdom
• Reports & Data
• Quick Takes
• Advertising & Marketing
• Consulting Services
• Data & Insights
• Hiring & Jobs
• Event Partnerships

4 /5 Articles remaining this month.

Sign up for a free account or log in.

• Sign Up, It’s FREE