So you’re just out of college or looking to make a career change but are unsure about the path to take. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. You’re not the first person in this situation, and you’re not the only one facing the same thing now. The good news is, there are strategies you can use to find a job that aligns with your skills and goals.
One practical approach is to leverage your transferable skills—the talents and abilities you’ve already gained through education, work, volunteering, or hobbies—and apply them to a new role. Let’s explore how you can effectively use transferable skills to secure the job you want:
Transferable skills can be divided into three main categories: technical, soft, and interpersonal.
Now that you know what transferable skills are, how can you use them to help you get the job you want?
Create a list of all your transferable skills. This exercise will help you identify the strengths and abilities you can apply across different roles and industries. Include technical skills specific to certain fields, universally valuable soft skills, and interpersonal skills that showcase your ability to collaborate and work with others.
Once you have your list of transferable skills, take some time to research various careers or fields that align with those skills. Look for occupations that value and require the skills you possess. For example, if you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, sales, customer service, or marketing roles may be a good fit. Of course, consider your preferences and interests for a well-rounded match.
Once you identify potential roles, research specific jobs in those fields. Read job descriptions carefully and pay attention to keywords that align with your transferable skills. It can help to look for positions that need your skills and outline responsibilities that resonate with your abilities and interests.
Before applying for a role, update your resume and other materials to highlight how your transferable skills translate into your target job. Tailor your resume (look at this post for tips) to emphasize the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Use concrete examples and quantify your achievements to demonstrate the results you bring with your talents.
Armed with a well-crafted resume showcasing your transferable skills, apply for jobs that align with your goals and then be proactive—take advantage of opportunities to talk to recruiters or hiring managers. Since you already highlighted how your transferable skills apply to the new role, you can submit your applications knowing you’ll be ready to address related interview questions.
While you might not always be successful landing a role with your transferable skills alone, if you put time into reflecting on how what you already know applies to the job you want, you can make a persuasive case. Check out the following examples for ideas:
Job: Project Manager | Transferable Skills: Leadership, Communication, Time Management
“Successfully led a student organization with a 20-member team, overseeing and coordinating projects, events, and initiatives. Communicated goals, assigned tasks, and ensured timely completion of deliverables. Demonstrated exceptional time management skills by juggling multiple responsibilities, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines. These experiences equipped me with the necessary leadership, communication, and time management skills to excel as a project manager.”
“As a volunteer at a helpline organization, I interacted with people from diverse backgrounds, providing empathetic support and assisting with their questions and concerns. Using the principles of effective communication and active listening, I resolved issues, diffused difficult situations, and ensured customer satisfaction. These experiences have honed my communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, making me well-suited for a customer service role.”
“As a member of a university event planning committee, I collaborated with a diverse team to develop and implement marketing strategies for various campus events. I created compelling promotional materials and social media campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in event attendance. I also applied analytical thinking to track and evaluate marketing information, making data-driven decisions to optimize promotional efforts. These experiences have nurtured my creativity, analytical thinking, and ability to work collaboratively, which I am eager to bring to a marketing coordinator role.”
“In my previous role as a volunteer administrative assistant, I was responsible for maintaining organized and efficient office operations. I developed and implemented streamlined filing systems, ensuring easy access to important documents and maintaining confidentiality. Additionally, I meticulously managed schedules, coordinated meetings, and prepared reports, showcasing my strong attention to detail. These experiences have cultivated my organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality, all of which are vital in supporting human resources functions as an assistant.”
Conclusion
Transitioning into a new career or searching for your first job can be daunting. Still, strategically marketing your talents to potential employers can increase your chances of success. Remember, you can leverage your existing skills to apply them to the role you want, and while it may seem counterintuitive to “need the experience” to “get experience,” demonstrating how your transferable skills align with the job requirements can give you a platform to speak to questions in an interview.