Transferable skills: What they are and how to showcase them.
Transferable skills are a key part of any job role. Learn how Adobe Express can help you showcase your own set of skills.
Looking to build out your CV with some key skills? Transferable skills are any key qualities or abilities that you can take from one job to another – regardless of the industry you’re working in. They can be as broad as adaptability and as specific as making ethical judgements.
It’s likely you already have a few transferable skills under your belt, whether from school, work experience or a previous job. You might not think they are key for the role you’re applying for, but highlighting them can help show you’re a well-rounded candidate.
In this guide, we’ll explore what we mean by “transferable” skills, what they include and how Adobe Express can help you showcase them in your very own CV.
What are transferable skills?
Transferable skills are any qualities or abilities that can be used in a variety of roles and positions. They tend to be more general, and don’t have a specific qualification associated with them. For example, having an attention to detail or strong communication would be considered a transferable skill.
You might also hear transferable skills referred to as soft skills. This simply means they reflect personal attributes in employees, as opposed to ‘hard skills’, which are learned through dedicated training or education.
Even positions that require hard skills are still reliant on transferable skills to function. Imagine, for example, a head chef who couldn’t lead their team, or a plumber that was incapable of problem solving. So, it’s always worth including your transferable skillset in any job application.
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Why are transferable skills important?
Whether you’re just starting out in the working world or you’re looking to change careers, transferable skills can help you take that next step. They can:
- Help you fit in with a new team or department. Transferable skills largely revolve around keeping things running smoothly, having positive interactions and strengthening relationships. So, if you’re working with a new team, a strong set of transferable skills would help you integrate with your department.
- Ensure smoother interactions with work colleagues. Conflict can arise in the workplace from time to time, ranging from simple misunderstandings to full-blown fall outs. Whether you’re managing a team, working closely with someone or are involved in a conflict yourself, transferable skills can help you navigate these scenarios.
- Boost your efficiency or productivity. A lot of workplace output is based on how well the employees gel with one another. Whether that’s working as a team to overcome a new challenge, trialling new ways of working, or communicating in a way that ensures everything is done on time.
- Show off your potential. If you’re someone with limited work experience in the field you’re applying for, you should still mention your transferable skills in a CV or cover letter to show you have the right foundations. Say you want to work in publishing, you could highlight your attention to detail, ability to work in a team and strong collaboration skills.
What are some transferable skills examples?
It can be tough to define transferable skills, especially when some of the skills feel like traits or personality characteristics. However, it’s never too late to develop your transferable skills. Here are some useful examples to build into your own job applications.
- Leadership and management – How well can you lead people and manage them? This isn’t as simple as telling people what to do, it’s understanding how people think and ways to motivate them.
- Being a dependable team player – Teams only work if everyone pulls in the same direction. Being a reliable team player can also mean having strong communication skills.
- Ability to solve problems – While solving problems may sound vague, the real skill here is being able to approach challenges with both an analytical and practical mindset.
- Strong communication – Communication is the glue that binds companies together. Without effective communication, work would stagnate, deadlines would be missed and targets ignored.
- Meeting deadlines and good time management – Whether it’s a small startup or an international corporation, deadlines are part and parcel of a business. Being able to manage your time, and complete your tasks is an essential transferable skill.
How to bring your CV to life.
How to showcase your transferable skills.
If you’re applying for a new job or a new position, you may be required to demonstrate your transferable skills. There are several ways you can do this and we’ve outlined some popular options below.
On your cover letter.
Your cover letter is likely the first thing any potential employer will see. Cover letters are great ways to sum up your CV, your interest in the role and highlight any specific skills you may have. Take the opportunity to include a couple of transferable skills that you feel will put you in good stead.
For example:
When designing new kitchens for clients, clear communication enabled me to understand the client’s needs and wants, but also helped me set expectations. A large part of my role involved problem solving, as I had to fit kitchens and amenities into an existing space while incorporating client wishes.
On your CV.
When you’re creating a CV, many people opt to include a skills section that is relevant to the role. You can use this space to list hard skills that are needed for the job, such as being fluent in another language or being able to drive, but you can also include soft, transferable skills here too.
Think about the skills and experience that are necessary to the role, then pick the soft skills that would complement these. For example, if you’re applying for an accountant role, then you might include soft skills such as:
- Attention to detail
- Analytical thinking
- Organisational skills
- Relationship management.
At the interview.
Job interviews are a great place to show off everything you can do. It’s a chance to talk through your transferable skills, and let the employer know how impressive you are. One of the best ways to do this is with the STAR method.
This popular method of answering questions uses the acronym STAR to cover the Situation, Task, Actions taken and Result. If asked a question on your past experience working with the public, a STAR answer can help you showcase your skills in action. For example:
While working on the shop floor for an electronics retailer, I once had to help a customer who was upset their online order hadn’t been delivered on time. I realised I needed to address the issue and use my problem solving skills to resolve the situation as soon as possible. I did this by apologising, checking the stock of nearby stores and offering free next-day delivery. The customer was pleased and left a positive review of the interaction.
Examples of transferable skills on a CV or cover letter.
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