Transferable Skills: What They Are and 12 Common Examples

Transferable skills are capabilities that can be carried from one job to the next because they are valuable across a variety of professions and industries.

Transferable skills are critical for professionals who want to remain relevant in a career landscape that’s always evolving. Technologies and processes may become outdated, but transferable skills like problem solving or project management will always be needed to tackle whatever obstacles lie ahead.

 

What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills commonly refer to soft skills that are applicable in almost any business setting. Even if a candidate lacks skills or experience in a certain role or industry, they can use transferable skills like communication, problem solving and leadership to understand the team’s challenges, discuss solutions and work collaboratively to address those challenges.

Transferable skills can also refer to hard, or technical, skills — like data analysis, for example, which is useful across a wide range of professions and industries. If every applicant for a role has the same technical skills, though, the candidate who can demonstrate transferable soft skills may stand out from the pack.

“I think technical skills are important regardless of the career you’re in, but the transferable skills are what can make the difference if you land a job — and also if you’re successful at that job,” Lupe Colangelo, director of employer partnerships and alumni engagement at General Assembly, told Built In.

Through General Assembly’s tech skills bootcamps, Colangelo has seen many job seekers leverage their transferable skills to transition to the tech world. Former teachers have relied on their communication skills as data scientists, for example, and former bartenders have leaned on their interpersonal skills to be successful in user experience design.

“​​They took the course and developed the technical skills, but they got hired because they had that really great transferable quality,” Colangelo said.

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12 Examples of Transferable Skills

Below are some of the transferable skills many employers look for.

1. Communication

Communication skills are about more than speaking and writing well. Effective communicators carefully listen to what others are saying to prevent misunderstandings, and they know how to deliver constructive feedback. They share pertinent updates about the status of projects and share any hiccups that may impact a project deadline. They also find effective ways to communicate with a diverse group of people across in-person, hybrid and remote work environments.

Examples

• An engineering lead explains to C-suite members the importance of updating the company’s IT infrastructure.
• A marketing manager presents new brand guidelines to sales team members to ensure a consistent brand strategy across both departments.   
• An employee intervenes in a conflict between two teammates and serves as a mediator to help their teammates find a compromise.  

2. Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify the root cause of an issue and find a solution. It requires analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills, which can take time to develop. Hiring managers are drawn to applicants who can show how they used their problem-solving skills to resolve unexpected issues, meet complex project requirements or develop more efficient workflows.

Examples

• A software developer creates a simpler way to implement a software patch. 
• An event coordinator books another venue last-minute when the original venue has to cancel due to an emergency. 
• A restaurant waitress brings out the correct side dish in addition to the incorrect side dish after accidentally bringing a customer potatoes instead of toast.    

3. Adaptability

Adaptability is a sought-after transferable skill, especially in startup environments. While hiring managers value experience, they don’t want someone who is set in their ways. They want someone who can be coached on new processes and shift their approach in fluid situations.

Examples

• A content writer teaches themselves how to code, so they can help with more web design tasks and edit their articles on the backend. 
• A project manager is asked to fill in for another project, quickly getting to know team members and helping them accomplish their goal on time. 
• A product engineer is asked to refine a product after it receives criticism from users, reworking some of the features to make it more user-friendly. 

4. Teamwork

Employers want to hire team players who can work with others to accomplish a project. These people engage in collaborative discussions with group members and put the needs of the project ahead of their personal interests. They are also skilled at developing relationships and giving and accepting feedback.

Examples

• A UX designer listens to feedback from quality assurance analysts and updates a product to make it simpler to set up. 
• An engineer collaborates with members from product design and customer service to create a tool that meets a client’s needs. 
• A graphic designer works with copywriters to craft the layout of a magazine page and makes adjustments based on advice given by the art director.    

5. Leadership

Every organization needs people who can manage and lead a team. A strong leader is skilled at giving direction, offering advice, motivating employees and recognizing what the team needs to be successful. This requires excellent communication skills, along with other leadership skills. 

Examples

• A sales manager highlights the sales team’s achievements during a team meeting to encourage them to hit their targets for the upcoming quarter. 
• A senior engineer offers to be a mentor to a younger engineer, providing tips and guidance during weekly one-on-one meetings. 
• A customer service manager sets up a meeting to explain a new CRM tool, so customer service reps know how to use it during customer calls. 

6. Attention to Detail

An employee who has strong attention to detail makes sure nothing gets overlooked on a project. This person might catch a typo on a document, or they may go the extra mile to refine or improve a product. It’s a widely transferable skill that can be valuable for event planners, software engineers, bookkeepers and other professions.

Examples

• A copywriter notices a grammar error in a marketing material draft and corrects it. 
• A caterer addresses an incorrect delivery by preparing the correct cake order and including a coupon, so the customer earns a discount on the next order. 
• A software developer discovers an undetected code error when assigned to patch a different bug, and decides to fix both issues. 

7. Project Management

Someone with strong project management skills knows how to get a job done. They keep a project on track within time and budget constraints, and they know how to adjust for unanticipated delays or expenses. It’s a valued skill set that requires organization, communication and problem solving skills.

Examples

• A product manager meets with a team of product developers to discuss the work involved in building a product and sets a realistic timeline based on this conversation.
• A cybersecurity manager shifts the focus of security analysts from implementing a new firewall to patching up existing IT infrastructure to prioritize removing vulnerabilities. 
• A UX manager reallocates tasks among a team of UX designers to ensure the team can complete a set of product requirements while meeting an adjusted deadline.  

8. Initiative

There’s a reason so many job listings say they’re looking for a self-starter. Employees who possess initiative are able to come up with ideas and see projects through with minimal supervision. Applicants can demonstrate their initiative by highlighting previous work experiences or by pursuing freelance projects to attain new skills and experiences.

Examples

• A marketing copywriter starts their own blog about marketing and writing tips, publishing an article per month.  
• A product analyst brainstorms their own idea for improving a product and presents it to the product manager.  
• A data analyst offers to help a data analytics manager with a time-consuming data entry project, saving their manager time in the process. 

9. Time Management

Time management skills are key to being efficient and productive at work. Someone who is good at managing their time knows what they want to accomplish, and they create a plan to reach those goals. They also know how to prioritize important items and delegate when necessary.

Examples

• A sales manager lists their to-do’s for the week, making sure they have enough time to complete tasks while meeting with clients and team members. 
• A software developer dedicates two hours each morning to focused time, turning off Slack notifications so they can concentrate on more complex work. 
• A finance manager delegates revenue data-entry tasks among a team of financial analysts, so they can turn their attention to developing the company’s annual budget. 

10. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and regulate your emotions, which can help you remain calm in stressful situations. An emotionally intelligent person takes ownership when they have fallen short of expectations, and they are adept at navigating sensitive situations, like managing conflicts and offering constructive feedback.

Examples

• A customer service representative takes a deep breath after listening to a rant from a customer and orients the conversation around finding a solution to the problem. 
• An engineering manager accepts criticism from engineers about vague directions and corrects their mistake by delivering clearer instructions. 
• A programmer takes responsibility for a coding error, apologizing for their mistake and going back and fixing the code. 

11. Computer Skills

Workers are often expected to be proficient in Windows or Mac operating systems, as well as email, internal chat tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack and software staples like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

Other software skills will vary by occupation and industry. Marketing, sales and customer service professionals may want to advertise their proficiency with customer relationship management (CRM) software, for example. If you have a baseline proficiency in technology, though, a hiring manager might reasonably conclude that you can learn new software products relatively quickly.

Examples

• An editorial manager uses Microsoft PowerPoint to create a presentation summarizing the editorial team’s goals and metrics from the previous quarter. 
• A business representative learns how to use the SUM function in Excel, so they can calculate total earnings from the previous eight sales cycles. 
• A marketer uses Gmail and the BCC function to send a weekly newsletter to customers while protecting the identity of each individual. 

12. Management

Management skills refer to having a strong understanding of people, processes and how the two fit together. A good manager learns about their teammates’ strengths and weaknesses, so they know what kind of support each person needs to complete their tasks. At the same time, they are aware of how each person’s tasks contribute to the larger goals of the organization, making sure their teammates see these connections and perform their roles accordingly. 

Examples

• An HR director meets individually with each HR analyst to reflect on what they’ve done well during the past year and what they’d like to improve on. 
• A marketing manager explains to marketing personnel how the brand voice they’ve developed influences the approach of sales and customer service personnel. 
• A data analytics manager sets up weekly meetings to receive questions and progress reports from data analysts, ensuring each team member is staying on task.

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Why Are Transferable Skills Important?

Transferable skills can be applied to nearly every challenge affecting an organization, so they are highly coveted in the job market. 

They Help When You’re Changing Careers

Transferable skills are particularly important for career changers who may not be versed in the specific technologies or processes of a different role or industry. By identifying and articulating the value of transferable skills, they can demonstrate to hiring managers how their nontraditional experience could bring value to this new role.

“Good hiring managers will see the full candidate,” Colangelo said. “Can this person do the technical skills of the job? Sure. But a bigger question that I’ve asked as a hiring manager is how does this person do in a crisis? How do they work with other humans? That is so important for the longevity of them being on the job, and as an employer, you can’t really afford to overlook that.”

They Often Signal Leadership Abilities

Because of their ability to build relationships or handle sensitive issues, this individual likely has the capacity to grow within the organization — possibly into a leadership role.

“I look at it as an opportunity to create stickiness in a job. It creates a better, more viable, long-term employee,” Jason Leverant, president and COO at staffing firm AtWork Group, told Built In. “As a manager, I want to focus on that candidate that has great skills — you can’t just manufacture those skills — and give them opportunities to expand and widen their experience within the organization.”

 

How to Highlight Transferable Skills

Here are a few tips that can help you showcase your transferable skills in your resume, cover letter and job interview. 

Identify Your Skills

The first step to highlighting your transferable skills is identifying them. Reflect on your career achievements and think about the skills you used to accomplish those projects.

Self-assessment can only get you so far, though. For a more comprehensive view of your transferable skills, ask former managers or colleagues to share their view of your strengths and weaknesses.

“A lot of times people don’t have a full, clear perspective of themselves,” Angela Yeh, founder and chief career strategist of career coaching firm Thrive By Design, told Built In. “How do you know your own label if you’re in your own jar?”

Tailor Your Skills to the Role

Transferable skills are most valuable when you can demonstrate how those skills will be beneficial in a new opportunity. Especially if you’re changing careers, connecting the dots from your past experience to hypothetical on-the-job scenarios will help the hiring manager see the value you could bring to the position.

When applying for a role, analyze the job description and pick out keywords related to skills the company is looking for. Feature relevant skills you’ve developed through past experiences in the work section of your resume. Add concise bullet points for each position, with each point consisting of an action you performed and its impact on your team or organization. You can also include a skills section, listing hard and soft skills that match the job description. 

However, the place to elaborate on the transferable skills you bring to the organization is in your cover letter. This is an opportunity to discuss in more depth some of the soft skills you’ve learned that you can’t explore as much in your resume. In one or two paragraphs, discuss the skills you’ve refined from past roles, provide concrete examples of how you used each skill and explain how they’ll help you succeed in your next role. 

While recruiters and hiring managers are typically looking for candidates that match the job description as closely as possible, Yeh said some companies will be open-minded to candidates from a “tangent world,” or background that is not a direct match. But those employers still need candidates to explain how their transferable skills can benefit their company. 

“[We are looking for] the transferable skills that will help us qualify someone from a different market, from a different space or even slightly a different type of expertise,” Yeh said.

Show (Don’t Tell) Your Capabilities

Saying that you have a transferable skill like communication or problem solving is not enough to convince most employers. Job seekers can prove their capabilities by drawing from past examples when those skills were helpful. 

“If companies are looking for the best, they’re looking for who’s going to understand our problem deeper than anybody else, and how they illustrate the way they’ve solved it in the past,” Yeh said.

During job interviews, include examples of past experiences where you’ve applied the transferable skills organizations desire. Employ the STAR method to structure your stories, so you remember to provide context, explain how you practiced certain skills to accomplish your goals and communicate the value of your actions.        

Job seekers can also use a portfolio website to show examples of projects they worked on and how their transferable skills contributed to that project.

“I think portfolios solve the problem of showing and not telling,” Colangelo said. “You can prove that you’ve done it before you’re even in the interview.”

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Mistakes to Avoid When Discussing Transferable Skills

Transferable skills can set one candidate apart from the rest of the talent pool, but be aware of some common pitfalls when highlighting these skills. 

Writing Vague or Generic Descriptions of Skills

Don’t use the same resume or cover letter for all job applications. While including a skills section on your resume or discussing skills in your cover letter is a good start, personalize descriptions of past jobs or experiences to each employer and the exact skills they’re interested in. For example, discussing a team player mentality makes less sense for a job application that lists the ability to complete tasks independently as its top priority. 

Ignoring Job Description Keywords or Industry-Specific Phrases

If a job description uses particular keywords or industry jargon to emphasize skills, use this exact wording when discussing transferrable skills. For instance, a business may be looking for a new hire who possesses a ‘strong attention to detail.’ While phrases like ‘thoroughness’ or ‘carefully completing tasks’ mean the same thing, resume scanning technology may skip over this wording in search of exact matches for this phrase. 

Forgetting to Include Examples of Applying Skills

Simply stating that you have a skill won’t get you far. To demonstrate that you’ve mastered a skill, offer an example of a past experience where you’ve applied that skill. Remember to paint a clear picture by explaining the context and the task you needed to accomplish. 

Failing to Show the Impact of Skills

Sometimes candidates may list out actions they’ve done on resumes or during job interviews without explaining the results of their actions. Once you’ve presented your action, be sure to share how it helped your team or company. Here’s an example of listing an action and its result: “I developed a new workflow for the operations team, reducing bottlenecks and helping the company exceed its production targets by 110 percent.” 

Neglecting to Mention Skills in the Cover Letter or Resume

Take advantage of every opportunity available to demonstrate transferable skills you’ve learned. Even if a job application only requires a resume, consider submitting a cover letter anyway. Exploring your skills in more detail with concrete examples gives employers a sense of how you can contribute to their team before they’ve even met you. 

Frequently Asked Questions