Transferable Skills Employers Want You To Have
You may have heard of the term ‘transferable skills’ but what does this mean? Transferable skills refer to abilities and knowledge that transfer from one job to another. These versatile skills can be developed in any area of your life and transferred to another, showcasing your adaptability and ability to learn quickly. Hence why they are called transferable skills! Employers highly value people who can demonstrate their transferable skills, due to their potential to excel in different jobs and industries. So what are these transferable skills employers are looking for? Read on to learn more about the most common transferable skills employers like to see when hiring for a job.
1. Communication Skills
Effective communication skills are essential in almost every job and industry. Employers value candidates who can communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally with customers and colleagues. Communication doesn’t just refer to verbal communication, this transferable skill also includes written communication, such as typing emails.
One way you can improve your communication skills is to practise active listening. This means focusing on the speaker, not interrupting, asking questions, summarising what you heard, and trying to see things from their perspective. By doing so, you can demonstrate your communication skills and build better relationships with others at work. This is especially important in a job interview when you are speaking directly with the hiring manager.
2. Teamwork
Teamwork is another favoured transferable skill for job seekers to have because most jobs require working with others. By being an effective team player, you can demonstrate your ability to collaborate with colleagues, communicate effectively, and contribute to the success of the team. In addition, teamwork skills are valued by employers because they demonstrate a person’s ability to work with diverse groups of people and adapt to new environments.
Nearly all career paths value teamwork in one way or another. Improving your teamwork skills involves developing your communication skills, building trust, practising collaboration, being flexible, and taking responsibility. By doing so, you can become a more effective team player, build stronger relationships with your colleagues, and contribute to the success of your team.
3. Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is valued for many jobs because it helps ensure accuracy, efficiency, and quality in work. Regardless of whether your job requires attention to detail in writing skills or your ability to communicate with customers, employers value people who can pay close attention to details and avoid errors, as this can save time, money, and resources. In addition, attention to detail can demonstrate a person’s critical thinking skills, their ability to follow instructions and meet expectations, which are all highly valued in the workplace.
Improving attention to detail requires creating checklists, taking your time, eliminating distractions, getting feedback, practising mindfulness, double-checking your work, and learning from mistakes. By developing these habits, you can improve your attention to detail and become a more valuable worker.
4. Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving is a transferable skill for job seekers as it enables people to identify, analyse, and solve complex problems. Regardless of the job or industry, problem-solving skills are essential for success. Employers value candidates who can think critically, develop creative solutions, and overcome obstacles.
Problem-solving skills are something you can improve over time. Creative thinkers start by identifying the problem, gathering information, analysing the information, developing potential solutions, and selecting the best solution. By practising, you can become more effective problem solvers, build stronger relationships with colleagues, and contribute to the success of their team and organisation.
5. Leadership Skills
Finally, don’t neglect leadership skills. Strong leadership qualities enable people to influence, inspire, and motivate others, making them effective in managerial roles. Plus, with a positive attitude, excellent communication, and problem-solving, leaders can navigate challenges, drive productivity, and contribute to day-to-day running of a successful business. Demonstrating leadership skills sets you apart and enhances your prospects for success in a wide range of industries and roles.
You can improve your leadership skills by actively seeking opportunities for growth and development. This could include seeking leadership roles in clubs or community organisations, volunteering or even by taking on more responsibility in your current job. You also don’t need a leadership job to be a leader. Employers love seeing how job seekers have taken initiative and shown leadership potential in various contexts. For instance, taking the lead on a group project, organising events, or demonstrating strong teamwork skills can all showcase leadership abilities.
Nail Your Next Job Interview
Developing transferable skills is a must for job seekers to enhance their employability and stand out in today’s competitive job market. The ability to effectively communicate, collaborate with others, lead, problem solve and demonstrate attention to detail are all highly valued by employers across industries. By recognising the importance of transferable skills and actively working to improve them, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to prospective employers.
If you’re ready to change your career path and find your dream job but are not sure how to start, Centacare is here to help! Centacare offers free training courses to help you get the employability skills you need for the new job you want. Browse our training courses online or get in contact with our friendly team to find out more about what’s right for you.
FAQs
To show off your transferable skills on your resume or in a job interview, keep it simple and clear. On your resume, make a section just for skills and list the ones that are relevant to the job. Give examples of how you used these skills in the past, like projects or activities you’ve done. When you’re in an interview, tell stories about how you used your skills in real situations. Be specific and explain what you did and what happened because of it. Make sure to connect your skills to what the job needs. Show that you can learn and adapt quickly. By doing these things, you’ll impress the employer and have a better chance of getting the job.
Sometimes, job seekers make mistakes when trying to bring up transferable skills in a cover letter for job interview, like:
- Forgetting to mention skills that match the job.
- Using unclear descriptions instead of giving examples.
- Not providing proof or results.
- Struggling to apply skills to different jobs.
- Not realising their own skills.
By taking these points into consideration, you can successfully demonstrate the transferable skills you possess.
Transferable skills provide a solid foundation of abilities that can be applied across various industries and job roles. They demonstrate your versatility, potential, and adaptability, making you stand out to employers. Transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership show that you have the potential to excel in different work environments. They also enable you to navigate a rapidly changing job market and seize new opportunities as they arise. By showcasing your transferable skills, you can impress employers and increase your chances of landing the job you want.