Why Transferable Skills Aren’t Enough Anymore

Transferable skills are those qualities you’ve gained from your work experience that other employers would find useful. It’s not that employers don’t like that you have transferable skills, it’s what you’re doing with them. If you’re just telling an employer you currently have qualities they’ll find useful, that’s not enough. You have to go the extra mile to explain how these skills impact a company. So, whether it’s in a cover letter or resume or during an interview, come equipped with explaining how your particular skills are put into motion. 

First, know your skill set. Before you begin to map out how your transferable skills would benefit an employer, make sure you know which of these skills you possess. You can do this using the READ framework (Reflect, Extract, Assess, Document). Begin by thinking about your past experiences from jobs to volunteer work. Then, ask yourself which tasks you frequently handled or received praise for. Next, assess which of these competencies apply most to the job you’d like to have and finally, make a list of all the skills you’ve discovered through this process. 

Look at the listing. Next, note what precise skills an employer is looking for in a posted position. Then, tailor your application documents to fit this description. Simply listing your related skills on a general template resume isn’t enough. Let’s say that you’re a great leader and the job description states it needs someone to take charge of the team when everyone gets distracted. Stating why good leadership is key and then giving specific (quantitative if possible) examples of your leadership in the workplace is how you sell your transferable skills.

Have stories and examples ready to go. You’ll need to do more than just list your transferable skills, so have relatable stories ready to go. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), explain how you put your transferable skills like problem solving, time management, and adaptability to work. Make it succinct but provide as many concrete details as possible. These stories help a potential employer put themselves into your story and visualize you using the skills you state you have.

Again, the task at hand is not to totally ignore your transferable skills in lieu of other qualities, but to be ready to give concrete examples of what you can offer an employer. One of the best ways you can focus in on these skills and be able to share them effectively is through working with a career coach. They are trained to help you write your cover letters and resumes, as well as prepare to network and interview. Being ready to show an employer how you can jump right in and succeed in a new position is key.