You can enter a new job or industry in a number of ways. These include volunteer work or continuing your education. When you are searching for a new job, you may also have a number of skills you can repackage that make you a valuable candidate as well. Not everyone knows how to market the transferable skills they have, though. Here is how to identify your transferable skills and use them to help you land a new job.
What Are Transferable Skills?
Transferable skills are skills and experience you have that you can repackage on your resume and cover letter to apply for a new job. Repackaging your skills means that you take the skills you already have and find a way to relate them to the new position or field you are looking to enter into. More simply put, transferable skills are skills that can transition with you into your next job.
A good example of transferable skills might be someone looking to enter a career as an administrative assistant with a call center background. While they may not have experience as an administrative assistant, their past experience gives them plenty of skills they can use in their new career. Some of these skills might include conflict resolution, time management, communication, and organizational skills.
Identifying Your Transferable Skills
Now that you know what transferable skills are, how do you go about identifying what you can carry from one position to the next? There are some key skills that are transferable to just about every position. For instance, basic skills such as the ability to communicate with your coworkers and follow instructions closely can be used in just about every professional setting. Interpersonal skills are also highly useful across numerous jobs and industries.
Other transferable skills include management skills. If you have overseen a project or helped trained another employee, it is a notable experience. Clerical skills, such as the use of Microsoft Office or internal communication systems, can also come in handy. Research skills, technical abilities, and planning can all come in handy when you are marketing yourself for a new job too. Just remember to keep an open mind when it comes to defining what you have to offer.
How to Use These Skills to Land a New Job
Reframe your past experience and showcase how it might be used in the new position. For instance, if they are looking for someone who is able to provide project management, talk about how you used internal systems to communicate in the past and any projects you’ve overseen. Don’t overstate your qualifications but draw a clear picture as to how your previous experience can be useful. Be sure to let your potential employer know that you are a quick study, meaning you can learn things on the job fast.
Contact Top Notch Personnel Today
Learning how to market your transferable skills and land a new job can be made easier with the help of a staffing agency. Professional recruiters can help you see potential pathways for your career. See how Top Notch Personnel can assist you.
