Posted in Career Best Practices

Job Skills that Transfer to Different Industries

Ever heard of transferable job skills?

As the name implies, transferable skills are not job-specific, meaning that they are valuable in a wide variety of positions.

While specialized skills and direct work experience are undeniably important, they’re not the only things that matter. When hiring, most employers will want to know about your transferable skills too, because they are indicative of success in most types of work.

How to Showcase Your Past Experiences

What are the most important transferable job skills to develop?

Let’s take a look at some of the top job skills that will serve you well in any position or industry:

Self-confidence/assertiveness.
Whether you work in an office setting or a warehouse, you need to be sure of yourself – and confident in your abilities. Employers want candidates who can:
- Professionally, yet directly, communicate what they want, expect and feel.
- Perform their own jobs without micromanagement.
Clear communication.
Most jobs require you to communicate effectively with others on a regular basis, whether that communication is verbal, written or both.
Listening skills.
Listening is just as important as the way you communicate with others. Listening allows you to follow directions, address concerns and needs, appreciate others’ point of view, and do your job effectively.
Teamwork.
Unless you plan to work as a lighthouse keeper or an OTR truck driver, you need to function well as part of a team. Organizations large and small need people who can collaborate with others, work toward shared goals, and fulfill their designated role within a group.
Effective time management.
Regardless of your chosen field, you need to be able to accomplish your most important tasks in the most efficient way. Today’s hiring managers seek candidates who know how to establish goals, prioritize work, block out distractions and avoid the pitfalls of multitasking.
Take Responsibility.
Whether working independently or as part of a group, succeeding in your industry requires you to do what you say you will do and take responsibility when a task doesn’t go as planned.
Problem-solving abilities.
When challenges arise in any job, it is important to assess the situation and develop a plan to move forward, without getting paralyzed or overwhelmed.
Empathy.
Empathy allows you to understand someone’s feelings without letting them impact your own. It’s being able to say, “I know how you feel,” and demonstrating that you really do.
Emotional intelligence.
Success in any job requires the ability read other people’s emotions and adjust your approach accordingly. Hiring managers want emotionally intelligent employees who don’t rely on knee-jerk reactions, but instead measure their approach and act rationally.

Ready to put your transferable skills to work in your dream job?

Apply with PrideStaff. Our recruiters can help you inventory your transferable skills – and align them with opportunities that are a great fit. Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to get started.