What are transferable skills? How to improve employability skills

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are a set of skills and abilities that can be applied to a variety of jobs and occupations across a range of different industries.

These skills help us navigate school, social settings, and professional settings. They can be broken down into hard and soft transferable skills.

• Hard skills:

Skills often gained through direct experience in a role, or by undertaking training and working for qualifications. These are measurable skills often displayed through technical knowledge – e.g. mastering Microsoft Office.

• Soft skills:

Personality traits and habits unique to us as individuals. Less measurable than hard skills, because they often relate to how we interact with people.

Why are transferable skills important?

The skills above reassure employers that, even without some listed experience, you can integrate into a working environment.

Employers also want to know you will mesh well with their team. Outlining your transferable skills can paint a better picture of you as a person.

• Willingness to learn and re-learn

​Transferable skills show current and future employers you are suited to various roles or departments. Soft skills, especially, evidence a positive work ethic needed to adapt to new tasks.

• Strong working relationships

Communication skills show tact and openness when interacting with colleagues, clients, and superiors.

These skills can promote stronger professional relationships and give employers confidence that you will succeed in any career development opportunities.

• Improved efficiency and productivity

Soft skills foster a collaborative working environment, and articulate communication and effective time management promote productivity for your team and the wider business.

How to show your transferable skills

The number of transferable skills can seem daunting. So how do you sell your skills in your CV or an interview?

Here are some key tips:

• Cracking the CV code

Most graduates opt for a CV based around work experience.

However, in cases where an employer asks for particular soft skills, a skills-based (functional) CV might better showcase your character profile.

• Be specific and evidential

Anyone can say they have skills, but employers will want proof.

You need to apply your CV skills to a specific situation, explaining where and how they were utilized.

• Highlight the value of your skills to the role

Research the company to have a fresh perspective on the relevance of your skills with each application.

This will translate into a committed, engaging cover letter understanding the responsibilities of the role.

• Highlight how this job will help you develop these skills even more

Employers are interested in why you’re drawn to their company.

Drawing on transferrable skills can express a genuine incentive and interest!

If this job will teach you new transferable skills, or develop skills needed to progress in your career, let them know!

Applying these tips to an example

Take a geography graduate now wanting to branch into a financial career.

They might not possess the qualifications or experience employees immediately consider relevant.

But, transferable skills learned from a geography degree could help them thrive in the finance industry.

Conducting fieldwork shows an aptitude for fact-checking and proof-reading results, as well as numerical literacy through data analysis. As well, organising a fieldwork project translates into strong event management skills.

A dissertation shows written communication skills and the ability to translate quantitative ideas into quantifiable forms. University society participation can also reflect an outgoing personality valuable, to networking and client-facing responsibilities.

This is just a short example of how attributes can become key skills for CVs.

Ultimately, realising your transferable skills is a great way to improve your CV and your employability skills!