Transferable Skills That Companies Want (You Should Apply)

Are you planning to change career paths? If you’ve decided to work in a different industry, you may well lack the experience you need for a new job. This can make it tricky to gain an advanced role in the new industry you want to work in.

However, there are specialist attributes that can be valuable in a wide range of different industries. When highlighted in the right way, these transferable skills show that you are a valuable employee. So, let’s take an in-depth look at the transferable skills that companies want.

The Most Valuable Transferable Skills

There are certain attributes that hiring managers look for when they scan your resume. The specific attributes you choose will depend on your personal talents and the demand of the job. Let’s check out the most popular attributes as well as how they relate to different jobs.

Communication

It is necessary to be able to communicate well both verbally and in written form to do most types of jobs. Verbal communication involves being able to explain different concepts clearly and give instructions. Written communication includes creating impactful business emails and other types of documents.

Active listening

This skill is basically the ability to concentrate carefully when people are talking to you. Active listening allows you to understand what clients and coworkers are saying and respond appropriately. This skill is valuable in a wide range of jobs, including sales, teaching, social work, and engineering.

Persuasion

This is a very valuable talent if you are applying for any type of sales role. Persuasion is the ability to express yourself clearly and convince other people of your point of view. Other professionals who need this special talent include marketers, lawyers, project managers, and estate agents.

Customer Service

This is an important ability to mention if the role involves interacting with the public in any way. Strong customer service abilities allow you to focus on the needs of customers and clients and make their experience enjoyable. This includes being polite and courteous at all times and being patient when answering questions. Industries where customer service is valued include hospitality, sales, marketing, and finance.

Reliability

Even if you have very limited work experience, this personal characteristic is sure to appeal to employers. It is important to be able to depend on employees to arrive at work on time and take care of their tasks. It shows potential employers that you take your duties seriously and can be trusted to work independently. Associated abilities include integrity, punctuality, honesty, work ethic, and drive.

Organization

This personal attribute indicates that you are focused and take a linear approach to both work and relationships. It shows employers that you are able to meet deadlines and make sure that all tasks are completed well. 

Employees who are organized understand the importance of even the smallest details and take care of them. Associated abilities include time management, prioritization, attention to detail, and analytical thinking.

Adaptability

This ability shows that you can learn new skills quickly and rise to the challenges of any job. Highlighting this talent shows that you can think and take a flexible approach to work. The implication is that you are willing to go the extra mile to make sure that tasks are completed well. People who are adaptable often enjoy new challenges and can thrive under pressure. 

Leadership

This is an important attribute to refer to if you are applying for an advanced position that involves overseeing staff. People who are strong leaders need to be able to understand the talents of different team members and inspire them. It is necessary to be able to motivate employees and provide extra training and instruction when needed. Related abilities include goal setting, project management, and interpersonal skills.

Conflict resolution

Conflicts are sure to arise from time to time when several employees work closely together in a small space. These conflicts can detract from the work and make employees become unfocused and dissatisfied. 

It is essential to have different methods of resolving conflicts in the workplace as quickly as possible. This includes identifying the needs and perspectives of different employees and helping them relate to each other.

Delegation 

This is an important attribute for anyone who is applying for a leadership role to reference. You need to be comfortable giving orders and delegating different tasks to employees. To do this well, you need to have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different employees. You also need to know the best way to approach different employees when assigning tasks to them. 

Decision-making

Highlighting this talent shows that you are confident and take a dynamic approach to work. This is an important attribute for all types of leaders to possess. When issues arise for any reason, it is often important to make quick and insightful decisions.

Empathy

This ability shows that you are ready and willing to put yourself in the position of the people you interact with. This allows you to build strong relationships with coworkers as well as clients to determine their needs. Most employers are sure to value this soft skill and prioritize candidates who express it.

Patience

It is often necessary to have a lot of patience when interacting with customers in different industries. People who work in the customer service industry need to be patient and polite with indecisive customers. It may be necessary to explain the same details several times to certain customers. Teachers and people who work in the healthcare industry also need to have a lot of patience.

Initiative

Being able to recognize what needs to be done and taking the initiative is a very valuable attribute. This is especially important if you are applying for a leadership role where you will be working independently. It shows that you understand the needs of the company and role and are confident enough to make decisions. 

This ability identifies you as a high-achiever who is self-motivated and will bring value to the company.

Technology literacy

Most roles involve using some form of technology such as special computer software or computerized machinery. This ability shows that you have at least a basic understanding of technology and are able to learn quickly. 

If possible, research the types of technology you are likely to work with and highlight your familiarity with it. Associated talents include programming knowledge, troubleshooting, and working with customer relationship management software.

Critical thinking

Next on my rundown of Transferable Skills That Companies Want, critical thinking is the capacity to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize different types of information objectively and clearly. 

In order to do this well, you need to be able to think deeply and have good judgment. Critical thinking relates to problem solving and is a necessary component of a wide range of jobs. Critical thinking is used professionally by everyone, from marketing managers to data scientists and architects. 

Problem solving 

When issues arise at work, you need to be able to find the best way to resolve them. This usually involves looking at the issue from different angles and evaluating the different options. It is often necessary to be able to do this quickly without doubting your ability to come to the best conclusion.

Teamwork

Many roles involve being able to work closely with other employees to accomplish different tasks. Rather than simply focusing on their set duties, these employees are concerned with making the company thrive. They are ready and willing to support their teammates and make sure that work goes as smoothly as possible. 

Employers are sure to appreciate candidates who highlight this attribute, and it can give you the edge on the competition.

Attention to detail

Even the tiniest details can make a big difference in a wide range of industries. Hiring managers value and actively seek candidates who are able to understand this need and can express it. Being able to spot errors quickly and accurately can save organizations a lot of time and money. 

Management 

This is a broad ability that is essential for all types of advanced roles, especially those where leadership is required. Managers have a deep understanding of the industry that they work in and all the different elements. They are able to make sure that all the teams within the organization are operating at the optimum level.

Multitasking

Most roles come with a lot of tasks, and it is important to be able to juggle them. The ability to multitask means that you can prioritize different tasks and make sure they are completed well. No matter what type of job you are applying for, this talent will identify you as a professional. 

Motivated

Employers value people who can work independently without having to be guided or inspired too much. Highlighting your self-motivation shows employers that you are hardworking and enthusiastic. This is especially important if some elements of the job involve working remotely or traveling for work.

Transferable Skills That Companies Want – How to Utilize Your Transferable Skills

By now, you are sure to have a good understanding of the different attributes you can highlight. It is important to do this in a natural yet impactful way. Here are some ways to make sure that your most valuable attributes do not go unnoticed. 

Make a list of your qualities

Start by making a list of all your attributes that are likely to appeal to hiring managers. You then need to work out how these abilities can be applied to the industry you want to work in. Then take the time to match your attributes and characteristics to the specific role you are applying for.

Combine work with your hobbies

Your specialist skills don’t have to be limited to those that you have gained through your work experience. Your pastime pursuits can help you to develop talents that can be very valuable in the working environment. These elements could include technological capacities, hand-eye coordination, attention to detail, teamwork, and critical thinking. 

Do your homework

Take the time to find out the specialist skills that are valued in the industry you want to work in. you should also do research into the role that you are planning to apply for. Check out typical job descriptions and make a note of the most commonly mentioned attributes.

Checking out resume templates for the job you want to apply for will also guide you on what to include. Make a list of five or six qualities that appear in job descriptions and applications the most regularly. You then need to work out how you can connect these elements to your own strengths and abilities. 

Define your goals

You need to keep your career goals firmly in mind when searching for a new job and changing industries. Your resume should clearly reflect the value that you would bring to the company and role. You also need to underline the talents that will allow you to make an impact and help you achieve your goals.

Highlight your applicable attributes in your resume

By now, you should have identified a few attributes that will make the hiring manager sit up and take notice. You need to present these in such a way that they will not go unnoticed. The best places to present these elements are in your cover letter and in your resume objective.

Your resume objective is a short and impactful paragraph that appears at the top of your resume. It typically consists of three sentences, and you can weave at least one of your strongest qualities into each sentence. This will make sure that the hiring manager sees these elements straight away when they are scanning your resume.

You can select three or four different characteristics to highlight in your cover letter. This will drive home the point that you have a diverse range of valuable talents to offer. Your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself and show what you have to offer. 

Read more: Answers to “Do You Want to Tell Us Anything Else About You?”

Need some help with preparing your resume objectives or cover letter?

Then check out our in-depth features on the Top Customer Service Resume Objective Examples, the Top Retail Service Associate Resume Objective Examples, the Top Sales Representative Resume Objective Examples, the Top Receptionist Resume Objective Examples, the Top Waitress Resume Objective Examples, the Top Nurse Resume Objective Examples, and the Top Entry Level Resume Objective Examples for 2023.

These are just a few of the Resume Objective Examples we have covered. If your industry isn’t included, do a site search to find the exact field you’re looking for.

Also, find out what the Best Cover Letter Format is, along with How Long Should a Cover Letter Be, How To Address A Cover Letter and our Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter comparison. 

Highlight your attributes in the interview

If you have presented your applicable talents well, hiring managers are sure to reach out to you. The personal elements that you have highlighted are sure to come up in the interview. Therefore, you need to take the time to work out how you will talk about each of these characteristics.

The hiring manager may ask you for direct examples of how you have used these talents in your work. Therefore, you need to spend time sketching a few brief examples before you attend the interview. These examples should provide working demonstrations of how these talents have helped you do your duties well.

Take the time to read through your resume and cover letter just before the interview. Make sure you remember the attributes that you have highlighted and are ready to explain them. You also need to prepare a few insightful questions to ask the hiring manager to indicate your knowledge and interest.

Looking for more great advice?

Then check out Transferable Skills: The Key to Employment Success, Developing Transferable Skills: Enhancing Your Research and Employment Potential, and the excellent Find Your Peanut Butter: The Transferable Skills of Dating and Job Hunting which will not only help you with your career but in life in general, a great read.

Transferable Skills That Companies Want – Conclusion 

Showing that you have transferable skills can help you land a wide range of roles. Even if you lack work experience in that industry, these attributes can help you secure the job. Of course, you need to be prepared to give examples of how you have used these talents in the past. 

The trick to choosing the right attributes to highlight is doing research into the specific role. You also need to research the company, paying close attention to the company values and working environment. You can then choose attributes that are directly linked to the job description and company values.

All the very best with your next job application.