Global Skills knows that finding the right job can be a challenging process, particularly when you don’t have all the required skills or experience for a specific role. However, we also know that transferable skills can help overcome this obstacle and open doors to new opportunities.

Read on for all things transferable skills, including our top 3 tips to help you identify your transferable skills regardless of where you want to work.

Transferable skills are the abilities and qualities that you have developed throughout your experience that can be applied across a range of different jobs and industries. These are gained through work, hobbies, interests, volunteering, education and training and include skills such as: communication; problem solving; teamwork; leadership; organisation; time management; adaptability and critical thinking.

By identifying your transferable skills and emphasising them in your job search, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you possess the fundamental skills required to excel in the role, even if you do not have all the necessary technical skills or experience.

Imagine you are a Warehouse Worker (Transport and Logistics Industry) who wants to move into Customer Service (Retail Industry). Below are some transferable skills you can highlight on your resume and in your application:

• Communication: As a warehouse worker you likely interact with colleagues and supervisors and possibly even external stakeholders. These communications skills can be transferable to a customer service role, as you can effectively listen to customer inquiries, provide clear information and resolve issues in a professional and friendly manner.
• Problem Solving: Warehouse workers often encounter logistical challenges and need to find solutions quickly. These skills can be applicable to customer service as you can assess customer concerns, identify appropriate solutions and offer alternatives when necessary.
• Teamwork: In a warehouse environment, you likely work in a team to accomplish tasks effectively. This teamwork experience can be transferable to a customer service role as you can contribute effectively to a customer service team, share insights and collaborate with colleagues to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

We’ve put together our top 3 tips to help you identify your transferable skills regardless of where you want to work:

1. 1. Reflect on your previous experiences. Think about previous roles you’ve held, volunteer work you’ve done, or hobbies and interests outside of work. What skills did you develop in these roles? Did you work in a team, take on a leadership role or develop your communication skills? These experiences can be a goldmine for identifying transferable skills.
2. 2. Look at job descriptions. Look for the skills and qualifications listed and consider how your own skills and experiences match up. This will help you identify gaps in your skills you may want to work on, as well as areas where you are already a strong fit.
3. 3. Get feedback. Talk to others including previous employers, friends and family about your skills and strengths. They may be able to help you identify areas where you excel that you hadn’t considered before.

Once you identify your transferable skills, you can start to tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight these skills.

Need help?

Global Skills can assist you in identifying transferable skills and finding roles that are a good fit for your unique skillset. We can also provide guidance on how you can emphasise your transferable skills in your job search including on your resume and in your job interviews.

For more information on Global Skills job seeker services, go to https://www.globalskills.com.au/job-seekers/