Transferable skills are a specific set of skills that crossover into multiple job roles and positions. These skills are general and can be used in multiple industries: blue collar, white collar, and in life. Transferable skills are valued by many corporations and organizations because they can be used and applied companywide.
Transferable skills included, but not limited to: problem solving, teamwork, leadership, time management, and personal motivation. Let’s break down the examples:
- Being a problem solver means you are a critical thinker; this means you likely excel at strategy.
- Good leadership skills means you can take charge and motivate other employees.
- Having good time management skills means that you can organize and prioritize which means you are productive.
- Being personally motivated means that you are a self-starter and can work with minimal supervision.
Interpersonal skills, in my opinion, are the core of transferable skills. A few examples are:
- Dependable means the company can rely on you to get the job done.
- Active listening means that you can secure information because you are present, in the room, and not in your head.
- Communication means that you can communicate clearly and effectively- both verbally and in writing.
A few examples were mentioned and described above. In addition to those, these 13 transferable skills should be developed and pointed out in your resume and cover letter.
The list of transferable skills below can be used and transferred between multiple job types and industries.
1. Cross-Functional Collaboration
It means that you have the ability to collaborate with multiple departments on initiatives that impact the full organization.
2. Personal Development
It means that you have the ability to take ownership of your development, you take ownership of growing and progressing.
3. Analytical Skills
It means that you have the ability to analyze and evaluate critical information.
4. Adaptability
It means that you have the ability to learn quickly and adapt to change- which is the only constant in life and in a business organization.
5. Organization
It means that you have the ability to organize tasks which means you have the ability to meet important deadlines.
6. Public Speaking
It means that you have the ability to lead meetings and speak in front of groups.
7. Relationship Building / Management
It means that you have the ability to establish and nurture relationships which means you have the ability to network.
