These Top 5 Transferable Skills are a Must-Have on Your Resume

In the 2015 Robert De Niro blockbuster, The Intern, a 70-year-old man joins a booming fashion start-up as an intern. Though he has little knowledge of fashion, e-commerce, or even the internet, he wins over the entire company, especially the company’s founder. Wondering how? Instead of being bogged down by his disadvantages, he chooses to remain true to himself and leverages all his existing skills. Skills that he learned and honed over his entire career; skills that could be seamlessly applied in any kind of business or job role. These skills are commonly referred to as transferable skills. Job seekers always focus on highlighting their technical, hard skills. However, for professionals looking to change careers or enter new job roles, focusing on transferrable skills and highlighting them during the hiring process is a surefire way to promote your candidacy.

Five Transferable Skills Companies are Looking For

Here are the five transferable skills that will help job seekers make seamless career transitions now and in the near future. While you might possess these skills, it is important to measure the degree and effectiveness at regular intervals in order to stay relevant. 

1. Communication

Good communication skills are essential to help others and yourself understand information better, faster, and more accurately. Though it sounds fairly simple, it is one of the toughest skills to master. Companies across the globe value this skill as it is easily transferable and can make or break your career. 

Promotions, projects, collaboration, referrals, and every other kind of professional success can only be achieved with good communication skills. 

Three Primary Communication Skills are:

1.1 Speaking or Verbal Skills: What is the message, why is it important, and how is it being communicated

1.2 Writing Skills: All written documents must be clear, well-structured, and outcome-focused 

1.3 Listening Skills: The ability to pay attention to and effectively process what others are saying, not just waiting for your turn to speak

Emeritus learner Pete Chu says,

“During my Forbes internship, I got a unique opportunity to generate and present a report to the senior management. Though coding was a new industry to me, my two decades of experience in life science strengthened my communication skills. I submitted an excellent report and stood apart from my peers.”

Click here to read how transferable skills helped Pete Chu make a career transition at the age of 43.

Also Explore: Communication courses on Emeritus

2. Critical Thinking

Being able to make reasoned judgments that are logical and well-thought-out before jumping to conclusions is the crux of critical thinking. As a professional, you are expected to question things, analyze problems, and then come up with solutions. Critical thinking is a skill that can be developed and honed in every role. As it is a systematic approach to uncovering issues, it takes time and patience. 

How to Start Thinking Critically at Work:

1. Examine the problem at hand
2. Analyze the various factors
3. Understand the impact of each possible solution
4. List the course of action, resources needed, and time for each solution
5. Involve the right people
6. Decide which solution results in maximum success

Critical thinking is a transferable skill because professionals can face challenges in any role they take up. Analytically solving and coming up with out-of-the-box solutions is an art that cannot be taught via books. It can only be mastered over time with the right set of experiences. 

Also Explore: Critical thinking courses on Emeritus

3. Leadership

Managers and leaders are not the same. Managers focus on getting tasks done. Leaders, on the other hand, inspire people to think, learn, do, and become amazing leaders themselves. Leadership as a skill is easily transferable and can set professionals apart at a very early stage in their careers. 

Organizations today have to contend with a lot of disruption. Hence, new-age leaders have to understand how to navigate change, deliver results, boost morale, and focus on an organization’s long-term success. All this while thinking critically and creatively. 

Companies are looking for candidates who possess such leadership qualities, especially those who are flexible, innovative, creative, and ready to deal with new challenges. Wondering how this can be expressed on a resume? Read this to know more. 

Also Explore: Leadership courses on Emeritus

4. Creativity

A common misconception among professionals is that they need to be creative only in certain roles. This is far from the truth. Despite the job role or industry, professionals can choose to be creative. This improves both morale and results! 

You start to see patterns, resolve problems faster, come up with better solutions, and don’t get mired by new issues. 

Companies are looking for individuals who can not only ideate, but also develop those ideas in a strategic manner, and actually bring them to life. Producing tangible results is a huge part of being creative. This means being resourceful and fully utilizing your other soft skills to make things happen. Creativity is a marriage of communication, leadership, critical thinking, and teamwork. 

Also Read: Wondering How to Effectively Measure Soft Skills? This Guide Can Help!

5. Teamwork

Every organization, small or large, is made up of teams to simplify the work process and achieve goals in a streamlined manner. Professionals who aspire to be successful leaders must master the art of teamwork. Finding ongoing solutions, brainstorming, providing and accepting constructive criticism, and delegating tasks are all huge parts of working as a team. In every job role, this is a basic requirement. 

A team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds. They bring fresh perspectives to the table. Companies consider teamwork a vital transferable skill because professionals who are successful team players are respectful, inclusive, and empathetic. Understanding and navigating the critical dynamics of a team sets an individual apart. So, if you wish to be a great leader someday, learn to be an amazing team player today!

Also Read: 5 Best Questions to Ask Interviewers in a Job Interview

Are Technical Skills Transferable?

Possessing strong technical knowledge is the keystone to your professional stability and growth. Especially for those who wish to grow in a particular field. While technical and technological skills are vital transferable skills, professionals need to continuously learn and upskill as the market demands. 

In association with the world’s top universities, Emeritus offers high-quality online courses across a wide range of topics. If you wish to strengthen your technical skills or learn new ones, now is the time.  Explore our course portfolio today and start your learning journey. 

By Manasa Ramakrishnan

Write to us at content@emeritus.org