All You Need to Know About Transferable Skills

Are you considering a career change but don’t know where to start? There are so many different factors to consider, job requirements, qualifications, and more. One of the most important elements to consider is transferable skills. 

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are skills that can be transferred from one job to another. These skills often transfer across multiple industries and job roles. Regardless of the industry you’re considering, having a good understanding of transferable skills and how they can be used can help you make an informed decision about changing careers.  

The first step to get a better understanding of transferable skills is to identify your current skills. Look at the roles you've had in the past and assess the skills you developed in each role. This can help you understand which skills you have that can be used in a different role or industry. 

Once you have a better understanding of your current skills, you can start exploring the transferable skills that may be required for the career you’re considering. Make a list of the skills and qualities that are most important for the job you’re interested in. 

Examples of transferable skills:

1. Communication: The ability to effectively communicate with other people is a key transferable skill that allows you to work with all types of people, regardless of industry.
2. Problem solving: Being able to identify the root cause of a problem and coming up with an effective solution is a valuable transferable skill that can be applied to many different roles and industries.
3. Time management: Being able to plan, prioritize, and execute tasks efficiently is an important skill that can help you in any job.
4. Leadership: The ability to motivate and lead a team is a great asset in any industry.
5. Adaptability: Having the ability to quickly adapt to a new industry or role is key to being successful in a career change.

Other transferable skills include critical thinking, team management, analytical skills, data analysis, decision making, and organizational skills.  

Critical thinking helps you to assess situations and come up with innovative solutions.  

Analytical skills allow you to look at data and make informed decisions.  

Data analysis helps you to interpret and analyze data accurately.  

Decision making helps you to make sound decisions in any situation.  

Organizational skills help you to manage tasks and stay organized.  

Why are transferable skills important?

Transferable skills are essential for career success, as they enable you to move from one job to another, or even from one industry to another. Transferable skills bridge the gap between the skills you currently have and those skills required for a new job or industry. Having a good understanding of transferable skills can help you make an informed decision about changing careers, as well as give you the confidence to make a successful transition. Transferable skills also improve your employability, as they demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and qualities to take on a new role and succeed. 

These skills are valuable in any industry and can be used to make a successful career change. Evaluating and understanding your current skills can help you identify which transferable skills you may need to develop or enhance for the career you’re considering. With the right combination of transferable skills, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle a career change. 

How to develop transferable skills

Now that you have a better understanding of transferable skills, it’s time to start developing and refining those skills. Start taking classes, reading books, and joining professional organizations related to the field you’re considering. You can also seek out mentors and networking opportunities to help you gain the knowledge and experience necessary for a successful career change. 

1. Identify Your Strengths: Before making a career change, take some time to identify your core strengths and skills. Consider what you have learned in your previous roles or in your hobbies or activities outside of work. What do you already know that could help you in a new job?
2. Learn Something New: When considering a career change, expanding your skillset can help you stand out from the crowd. Consider taking a course or doing some self-study to learn something new that could help you in your new career. This could be anything from coding to a foreign language.
3. Network: Networking is a great way to develop new skills and make connections in your industry. Use LinkedIn and other professional networks to meet people and make contacts who can help you on your career change journey.
4. Ask for Feedback: It can also be helpful to ask for feedback from your past employers or colleagues. They may be able to help you identify transferable skills that you can use in your new career.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t need to have all of the skills listed to be successful in a new career. What matters is how well you can apply the skills you have in a new role.  

Making a career change is a big decision and it can be intimidating to make the move. But with the right understanding of transferable skills, you can make an educated decision about which career is right for you. 

So, we’ve gone over some basic tips to help you identify and develop your transferable skills in order to make a successful career change. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, learn something new, network, and ask for feedback. With the right combination of transferable skills, you’ll be more than ready to tackle a career change. 

Good luck!