Transferable Skills

Leveraging them for your next job

BY DR. NICOLE EVANS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

WHAT ARE TRANSFERABLE SKILLS? Transferable skills— sometimes referred to as stackable skills—are abilities individuals can use and apply from one job to the next. They are not job, career, or industry specific. Seven of the most common transferable skills include teamwork, time management, effective communication, adapting to change, problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership.

Transferable skills are developed through work experience, education, and personal growth. Organizations value and seek applicants that exhibit transferable skills because they demonstrate an ability to be flexible and productive in different work environments. When changing careers, employees do not leave these types of skills behind. These proficiencies go with them to the next job, hence the term “transferable”. Today the average American worker changes jobs three-to-seven times in their lifetime; this is when transferable skills apply and must be leveraged.

Matching transferable skills to careers in other industries

• First, job seekers need to identify their existing transferable skills and write them down. It is important to research various industries that are of interest and determine if existing skills complement that industry. For example, if teamwork is the applicant’s transferable skill, they may want to explore industries such as logistics/supply chain management, event planning, or project management, where teamwork is essential.

• Next, search for specific companies from the identified industry. Make a connection and gain valuable company insight by networking with employees in the industry. Review company mission statements that provide the values and goals of the organization. Ask yourself if you share any of those beliefs and how your past achievements align with them. Determine which of your transferable skills complement the company’s mission. If there are similarities then, look for open positions at that company. Review the duties and skills in company job postings and apply for positions that match your skills.

• Finally, job seekers should consider additional training or education to strengthen any weak areas. Courses, degrees, or certifications may help provide a better match between existing and required skills.

Using transferable skills effectively

Job seekers should emphasize transferable skills through online presence, such as LinkedIn profiles. Candidates have a better chance of being hired if they market transferable skills on resumes and interviews. Resumes should be tailored to the job through the use of industry-specific words when describing transferable skills. Human resource managers recommend using precise examples and accomplishments that demonstrate how transferable skills were used in previous positions. The use of action verbs and quantifiable achievements are also useful in highlighting transferable skills.

Candidates that effectively market transferable skills, not only on resumes but also during job interviews, are three times more likely to be hired than those that do not. When job seekers are prepared and share specific examples of their transferable skills during interviews, it creates common ground and opens dialogue with hiring managers. Interviewees should explain how their transferable skills strategically align with the company’s mission. Communicating in this manner will provide management with evidence of how and why they are a good strategic fit for the organization. This practice not only leverages transferable skills but also strengthens communication with interviewers, creates better rapport, and increases job offers.

Dr. Nicole Evans is an associate professor at Goldey-Beacom College, teaching business management classes in the B.S. and MBA graduate program. Dr. Evans serves as the faculty advisor for the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). She also currently serves as the past director in the state of Delaware for the SHRM Delaware State Council.