Making the Most of Your Transferable Skills

As we’ve watched the job market continue to adjust itself from the upheaval of the past few years and beyond, a more competitive environment has emerged where job seekers seem to wield slightly less power than they did a mere 365 days ago.

As in any industry, a level of balance is important and in the recruiting space we are seeing that balance restored, with job seekers needing to take extra steps to stand out among their competitors.

At TZR we think one of the best ways to find yourself at the ‘top of the call-back list’ is to sell potential employers on your transferrable skills. 

“Transferable skills, or portable skills, are all the skills that you take with you from one job to another. The ability to clearly communicate ideas to others, solve unexpected problems, or work well in a team are all examples of transferable skills.”

Employers value transferable skills

Setting yourself apart from other applicants is one key to landing the job you want. But in a competitive market, it becomes that much more important to find ways to differentiate yourself. Focusing on your transferrable skills allows you to show employers how you’ve progressed through your career far beyond just title changes.

“These days, it’s increasingly important to know yourself and what you can offer in a new position. Understanding and cultivating your transferable skills is an essential part of any job search today – and of a successful career in the future.”

What are some examples of transferable skills?

“Transferable skills are relevant across all professions and workplaces and are developed and taken with us (transferred) as we embark on new career paths.”

TZR recommends taking time to identify some of your most valuable transferrable skills. Some highly sought-after transferrable skills include:

• Critical thinking – evaluate, synthesize, and analyze information in an objective manner in order to produce an original insight or judgement.

• Problem solving – find solutions to complex or difficult issues.

• Adaptability – quickly adjust to new situations.

• Teamwork – work well with others and put the good of the project ahead of personal interest.

• Attention to detail – assure the quality of the finer aspects of a project.

• Management – effectively handle other people and processes, such as time or plans.

It’s important to remember that these skills are not necessarily ‘learned’ and ‘mastered’ in one role; rather, they are gained through a collection of experiences as you progress in your career.

Mark Fisher, TZR president adds, “One way to make your transferrable skills standout on your resume is to quantify your results when it comes to transferable skills.  Being able to communicate the value (cost savings, time savings, sales increases, profit increases, better customer service scores, etc) helps set you apart from other candidates; quantifying your results versus just offering the skill can be one of the most impactful bullet points on your resume”.

If you find yourself lacking in certain areas or looking to add to an already extensive list of transferrable skills, taking time to focus on upskilling will help increase how hirable you are.

“No matter what you learned in school or at a previous job, transferable skills are what every worker gains from each career experience, including volunteering, internships, freelance jobs, and more. They are the skills that you can use in any professional setting.”

Next steps?

“No matter where your career takes you or where you take your career, the transferable skills you develop will always be there for you, helping you adapt, change, and grow professionally.”

Understanding your long-term career goals can make the practice of obtaining/honing transferrable skills a more focused endeavor.

If you know where you want to go, you can figure out what you need to get there and make the effort to build those skills.

Remember – these are skills that will benefit you today AND in the future – there is no downside to putting in the work now to carve out a better career path.

“Employers also seek transferable skills in their staff because, in general, employees with transferable skills have the tools that help them go beyond their job description.” We talk a lot about this at TZR and the point where character and credentials meet.

How can TZR help?

“Taking your existing transferable skills and applying them to new challenges demonstrates to employers that you’re adaptable and versatile (which are also transferable skills!). The ability to transition from one role to another using these skills shows that you are flexible in an ever-changing world.”

At TZR, we recognize the value that transferrable skills have in the marketplace. Our recruiters are experts at helping our clients identify these skills in their own professional experience and marketing them to potential employers.

Finding a job isn’t just about matching the specific skills learned in previous roles then fitting them into the next gig. We can help you identify how your strengths can translate to a new role without missing a beat.

Connect with us today.