“People with highly transferable skills may be specialists in certain areas, but they’re also incredible generalists – something businesses that want to grow need.”— Leah Busque, the founder of TaskRabbit.

Transferable 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 have the experience.

But, what are they, exactly?

Transferable skills are those that you develop as you progress through employment, education, or training.

Let’s check this list to help you identify your transferable skills and paint a clearer picture of all the abilities you can offer.

1- Business strategy

Understanding business strategy is a fundamental skill, whether you join a small business or a large corporation.

It is about understanding how to put together a strategy that involves careful planning, market knowledge, and defining organizational goals. These skills would be beneficial in any role, from sales to finance.

Think about examples when you have helped motivate, take responsibility for, and lead others effectively to accomplish objectives and goals.  You should also consider whether you can delegate effectively and whether you are happy to ask for help when needed.  What can you do to become more charismatic and build rapport with others?

2- Communication

Workplaces rely on communication for things to run smoothly. In the world of work, you will be required to present information to audiences both inside and outside the business. Not all of these people will understand your work, so communicating with clarity and articulating your ideas logically, organized, and effectively is essential.

Transferable communication skills include:

Verbal communication is about communicating clearly and concisely with others, whether a customer or a colleague.

– Written communication is also essential. Many employees will be asked to prepare reports and explain specific information about products, services, and business operations. You must demonstrate a natural ability to write persuasively and engage the reader.

– Listening: not only taking on what’s communicated to you but also interpreting and understanding it.

– Face-to-face: communicating in person, including facilitating meetings, interviewing, persuading, negotiating, expressing ideas, plus speaking in public or to groups.

3- Leadership and team management

Effective leadership and management involve taking charge and motivating others to achieve specific goals on an individual, team, and company level.

You can effectively manage groups and delegate responsibilities, plan and coordinate various tasks, solve problems and resolve conflict, make and implement decisions, and coach others.

4- Teamwork ability

Effective teamwork involves sharing credit and accepting responsibility for your 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.

Think about examples of when you have worked well with others in formal or informal groups to achieve results. Ponder how you overcame issues and mention your successes.  Use examples from previous work experience, education, or being a member of a social or sports group.

5- Time management

Effective time management boosts productivity, meaning that you can complete more work in less time, even when working under pressure.

A significant factor in time management is prioritization. Only with practice can you learn to prioritize your tasks more effectively, focusing on the most urgent tasks rather than less critical activities.

It is important to demonstrate to potential employers that you have adequate time management and personal, organizational skills.  Mention examples in your covering letter, CV, résumé, or during an interview that demonstrate how you have structured and arranged resources to achieve objectives. It may also be helpful to think of times when you have been proactive rather than reactive to situations and workloads.

6- Work ethic

Having a solid work ethic is often part of your values. 

Demonstrating a positive approach to work and being honest and taking the initiative, and caring about your co-workers are all factors that convey a strong work ethic.

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

In demand: to be wanted by a lot of people.

Concisely: in a way that is brief but comprehensive.

Lone wolf: a very independent or solitary person. 

Charismatic: exercising a compelling charm that inspires devotion in others.

Persuasive: good at persuading someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation.

PHRASAL VERBS ✍

End up: to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected.

“I don’t want to end up working for the government.”

Figure out: another way of saying you understood something or came up with a solution. 

“I can’t wait for Pietro to figure out how to do his job.”

IDIOMS 📒

Lose one’s touch: suffer a decline in one’s skill at doing something.

Sharp as a tack: mentally agile.

Related Articles:

4 skills to Develop Emotional Intelligence https://www.englishpriority.com/4-skills-to-develop-emotional-intelligence/

Improving our Networking Skills

https://www.englishpriority.com/improving-our-networking-skills/

How to be an Active Listener

https://www.englishpriority.com/how-to-be-an-active-listener/

Want to practice even more?…