Transferrable Work Skills
When applying for your first job out of college or when switching careers, it may seem like you don’t have enough skills, or the right skills, for the job you seek. But the truth is that you possess many abilities and skills that future employers will value. We call these transferrable skills—skills and abilities you possess or that you have gained through previous jobs, organizations, hobbies, volunteer work, or education that are appropriate for the current position you seek. You just need to identify and present them in a way that fits what those employers are looking for.
Below is a list to help you identify some of your transferrable skills that you can highlight in your resume and cover letter. Note that many of these are “soft skills”—the non-technical, non-specific skills important in any job irrespective of the field. To identify these skills in yourself, think not only about the tasks and duties you performed in previous jobs or activities, but more importantly the skills and abilities you developed there. How can you market your experience in these terms?
Communication Skills
- Speaking effectively
- Writing concisely
- Listening attentively
- Facilitating group discussion
- Providing appropriate feedback
- Being tactful
- Negotiating
- Persuading
- Interviewing
- Editing
Research and Planning Skills
- Forecasting
- Coming up with ideas
- Identifying problems
- Developing solutions
- Solving problems
- Imagining alternatives
- Gathering information
- Analyzing
- Setting goals
- Defining needs and requirements
- EvaluatingResearching
Interpersonal Skills
- Being sensitiveto others’ feelings and moods
- Listening and developing rapport
- Providing support for others
- Motivating
- Negotiating issues
- Sharing credit
- Training/educating
- Delegating
- Cooperating; working with a team; teamwork
Organization, Management, and Leadership Skills
- Initiating or developing new ideas
- Coordinating tasks
- Handling details; detail-oriented
- Managing or directing teams or groups
- Teaching/training/educating
- Coaching
- Selling ideas or products
- Decision-making
- Managing conflicts or problems
- Managing budgets
Other Important Skills
- Managing time effectively
- Paying attention to details; detail-oriented
- Setting and meeting goals
- Being a self-starter; self-motivated
- Working independently
- Enlisting help when needed
- Meeting deadlines
- Being reliable
- Diligence; tenacity to get the job done; follow-through
- Responsible
Howe Writing Initiative ‧ Farmer School of Business ‧ Miami University
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