Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are skills you have acquired during various activities and aspects of your life that are transferable and applicable to your job search. In other words, they are skills that you already have that you can use in your new field of work or in the job position you are applying for. Don’t forget the skills that you use at your current job as well. Just because it may be a different line of work than the position you are applying for doesn’t mean another employer will not benefit.

Examples of Transferable Skills

As a student, you use multitasking skills when balancing homework between several classes. You are able to meet deadlines when you turn a paper in on time. You conduct research for projects and papers. Additionally, you reach goals by working hard and earning the grades you want.

What if you are working at a job already, but do not feel your skills will transfer to the job you want? Think again! Let’s use the example of a waitress who is applying for a secretarial position. A waitress uses multitasking skills by balancing the needs of several tables at once, provides customer service to her guests through conversation and conflict resolution, listens attentively as guests request food and beverage items, and relays food orders from guests to the cook staff. A secretary uses these skills every day! A secretary uses multitasking skills when answering phones and assisting individuals in the office, customer service skills when working on the frontlines with customers to make a positive first impression, listening skills when determining customers’ and supervisors’ needs, and relays information from customers to supervisors.

Identifying Transferable Skills

This process begins by reflecting on all your relevant experiences, including work experience, academics, extracurricular activities, and life experiences. When identifying your transferable skills, consider these categories and examples:

Communication (oral and written)

Interpersonal

Leadership

Organizational

Work Ethic & Personality Traits