The Ultimate Transferable Job Skills for your Next Career

What are transferable job skills? They are the skills that you have picked up from a hobby, sports, non-profit work, parenting, previous employment, etc. Think about it, when you applied to your first job, it's not that you had no skills, it was likely you had skills that transferred to that job. These are the skills you will use to sell yourself in a job interview, elevator pitch, resume and cover letter.

However, if you are changing careers into a completely new field, the process requires a bit more work.

Here's my basic introduction for my software developer resume:

Performed various roles consistently ahead of schedule as an analyst, developer, architect, and technical writer.
Personable, flexible, and strong communication skills, collaborating effectively with technology teams to ensure achievement of project goals. Skilled presenter and software trainer.
Outstanding problem-solving skills, as manager said “he displays creativity and original thinking beyond the expectations for his position.”

This shows that I have a technology background. I decided to apply for a sales position after having many years of working in software. Which is not exactly the most "people oriented" job, but I was confident in my ability to do the job. I did a few 'odd jobs' and made it a sales page out of it.

So, here's how I updated my resume that got me several sales interviews. Notice how I used several transferable job skills, like customer support, and presenting.

Strong background in sales and customer support, with successful experience presenting high-tech products to executives and other top-level decision makers.
Superior communication skills. Experienced making effective presentations to senior management.
Outstanding problem-solving skills, as manager said “he displays creativity and original thinking beyond the expectations for his position.”
Analytical, with in-depth knowledge of technology. As consultant, helped company extend contract worth $200,000.
As a team, raised $20,000 up from $12,000 previously for non-profit fundraiser.

You will notice I listed clear (and honest) results. Sales is all about generating increased revenue. So, it's usually possible to change the perception of your job. Also, save your job review papers, that's where I got the quote that I displayed "creativity". Creativity is a transferable skill. I didn't want my prospective employer to think I was just a tech-guy.

It's all in how you word your skills to make it attractive to your prospective employer.

To come up with your list, think of hobbies, volunteer work, jobs and other activities youi've done. Think about the ones that stand out, such as traveling to 20 countries in 20 days. It makes you unique.

Have you...

raised children
fund-raised for a non profit
organized a bake sale
hosted parties
given music lessons
built a e-commerce website
conducted formal/informal training sessions
created reports
conducted research online

To help jog your brain a bit further, I've listed a handful of transferable job skills in 5 categories.

Print or write down the skills list. Next to it write down your level of mastery (1-5). After that's done, look for the 4 and 5 levels of mastery. That will be a good place to start for your next job.

Manage and Lead - the ability to get people to act

Ability to delegate
Detail handling
Direct others
Direct projects
Empowering others
Executing change
Initiating new ideas
Leadership
Manage groups
Manage projects
Managing problems
Motivate people
Organize people
Promoting team members
Run meetings
Sales skills
Serving
Share leadership
Supervise others
Take Decisive Action
Take risks
Team building
Understand the big picture

Communicate - the ability to transfer information

Articulating
Communicate verbally
Creative, Artistic
Demonstrate something
Diplomacy
Editing
Empathetic Listening
Explain things to others
Insightful
Instruct others
Interview others
Persuasion
Present artistic ideas
Providing feedback
Recalling accurate details
Reporting Informaiton
Speak effectively
Speak in public
Teaching
Writing clearly
Written communications

Basic - day to day skills

Accept responsibility
Adaptable
Balance Money
Computer Skills
Desire to improve and learn
Follow instructions
Get results
Keep financial records
Making decisions
Manage money
Manage time
Meet deadlines
Meeting goals
Remember information
Results oriented
Self-motivated
Solve problems
Take orders
Team player
Work independently
Working with others

Build, Plan and Research - these are transferable job skills that go beyond the basics

Ability to plan
Analyze data or facts
Assemble or construct things
Audit records
Build, observe, inspect things
Calculate numbers or data
Classify data
Compare facts
Compile
Creating Ideas
Design
Detail-oriented
Draw
Envisioning alternative solutions
Forecasting
Increase sales
Innovative
Investigate
Manage money and budgets
Operate tools and machinery
Plan
Repair things
Research
Strategizing
Use complex equipment
Use equipment
Using hands for precision labor
Working with data

People Skills - the ability to interact with others

Anticipate problems
Arrange social functions
Being Assertive
Care for
Confront others
cooperating
Counsel people
Credit Sharing
Customer Service oriented
Develop Rapport
Help people
Listen
Mediate problems
Negotiate
Outgoing
Patient
Sensitive to needs
Supportive
Tactful
Thinking of others
Understand
Working with People

Hope this transferable job skills list will help you land your next job! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

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