Job Hunting: What Are Your Transferable Skills?

 A transferable skill is a skill that an be applied to multiple roles. These may include both hard (technical) and soft (people) skills. Transferable skills are very important if you are applying for a job that was outside your typical employment history, such as a career pivot or (re-)entry into job market. 

Photo by João Ferrão on Unsplash

Here is a list of 88 transferable skills. Obviously this is not an exhaustive list, and many of them sound alike (analytical skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, etc., or flexibility vs adaptability) You need to choose the term that's closest to the ones used in the job description, and either use the same words to describe your prior job, or describe the prior job in sufficient detail to show how that skill is transferable to the job you're seeking. 

Going through this list should give you some ideas on what transferable skills you have. It had to be at work though, and don't embellish. You keeping your bank account from being overdrawn every month does not really entitle you to "budgeting" skill. 

Think of this list as a "basis" for your own list, so you can write a better resume / CV.  

• Active Listening: understanding, responding, and remembering what was said
• Adaptability: Adjusting to new conditions and environments.
• Analytical Skills: Examining information to understand it better and make decisions.
• Anticipating Possible Obstacles: Predicting potential challenges and preparing for them.
• Assertiveness: Expressing oneself confidently without being aggressive.
• Attention to Detail: Noticing and addressing small details in tasks.
• Budgeting: Planning and controlling the financial resources.
• Collaboration: Working jointly with others to achieve a common goal.
• Complaint Handling: Addressing and resolving customer complaints effectively.
• Conflict Resolution: Settling disputes and finding mutually acceptable solutions.
• Contract Negotiation: Reaching agreements on the terms of contracts.
• Creativity: Thinking of new and original ideas.
• Crisis Management: Handling emergencies effectively.
• Critical Thinking: Analyzing facts to form a judgment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working with different departments to achieve a common goal
• Customer Engagement: Interacting positively and meaningfully with customers.
• Customer Relationship Management: Managing interactions with current and potential customers
• Customer Service: Assisting and supporting customers to meet their needs.
• Data Analysis: Examining data to draw conclusions and inform decisions.
• Decision-Making: Making choices by identifying options and assessing consequences.
• Detail-Oriented Work: Paying close attention to all aspects of a task or job.
• Diplomacy: Managing sensitive situations and relationships tactfully.
• Document Management: Organizing and controlling documents.
• Editing and Proofreading Documents: Reviewing text to correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style
• Effectively Explaining Complex Concepts for Non-Experts: Simplifying complicated ideas to be understandable by normal people
• Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and managing your own and others' emotions.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Event Planning: Organizing and coordinating events.
• Expressing Ideas Verbally: Clearly and confidently sharing thoughts through spoken words
• Flexibility: Adjusting to changes and new challenges.
• Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback: Providing helpful feedback and being open to receiving feedback
• Goal Setting: Establishing objectives and devising plans to achieve them.
• Goal-Oriented Mindset: Focusing on achieving specific aims.
• Honesty: Being truthful and transparent.
• Initiative: Taking action without being prompted.
• Innovation: Introducing new ideas or methods.
• Integrity and Ethics: Adhering to moral principles and professional standards.
• Interpersonal Communication: Interacting effectively with others.
• Leadership: Guiding and motivating a team towards achieving goals.
• Learning Agility: Quickly learning and applying new skills or knowledge.
• Market Research: Gathering and analyzing information about market conditions.
• Meeting Deadlines: Completing tasks on time.
• Meeting Etiquette: Conducting oneself appropriately and professionally during meetings
• Mentoring: Guiding and supporting others in their professional development.
• Motivational Skills: Inspiring and encouraging others to achieve their best.
• Multilingual Abilities: Communicating in more than one language.
• Multitasking: Handling more than one task at the same time.
• Negotiation: Discussing to reach an agreement or compromise.
• Networking: Building and maintaining professional relationships.
• Organization: Keeping tasks and materials orderly and systematic.
• Ownership of Work: Taking responsibility for your tasks and results.
• Performance Monitoring: Tracking and evaluating performance.
• Persuasion: Convincing others to agree with your ideas or to take a specific action.
• Phone Skills: Communicating effectively and professionally over the phone.
• Policy Implementation: Putting policies into practice.
• Presentation Design: Creating visually appealing and effective presentations.
• Presentation Skills: Effectively conveying information to an audience through speech, visuals, and gestures
• Priority Management: Determining the order in which tasks should be completed based on importance
• Problem Solving: Finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.
• Procedure Development: Creating and improving processes.
• Process Improvement: Identifying and implementing ways to make processes more efficient.
• Product Knowledge: Understanding the features and benefits of products.
• Project Management: Planning, executing, and closing projects.
• Public Speaking: Speaking to an audience effectively.
• Punctuality: Being on time for appointments and deadlines.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring that products or services meet certain standards.
• Rapport-Building: Creating a connection and trust with others.
• Relating to Diverse Populations: Understanding and interacting well with people from various backgrounds
• Resourcefulness: Finding quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.
• Respectfulness: Showing consideration and appreciation for others.
• Responsiveness: Reacting quickly and positively to needs, inquiries, or feedback.
• Results-Driven Attitude: Focusing on achieving specific outcomes and goals.
• Sales Techniques: Effectively selling products or services.
• Scheduling: Planning and organizing time and resources.
• Social Media Skills: Using social media platforms effectively for communication, marketing, and networking
• Spelling and Grammar Proficiency: Using correct spelling and grammar in writing.
• Stakeholder Management: Managing relationships with those who have an interest in a project or organization
• Statistical Analysis: Using statistics to analyze data and draw conclusions.
• Strategic Planning: Defining strategies and making decisions to achieve long-term goals.
• Teamwork: Working effectively and harmoniously with others.
• Technical Support: Assisting others with technical problems or questions.
• Technical Writing: Writing clear and precise documents related to technical information
• Time Management: Using time effectively and efficiently.
• Training and Development: Enhancing the skills and knowledge of others through teaching and support
• Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and solving issues.
• Vendor Management: Handling relationships with suppliers.
• Workplace Safety Knowledge: Understanding and applying safety practices.
• Written Communication: Conveying information clearly and effectively in writing.