Skills valuable and transferable to your career are easier than you think

If you look through the job adverts on our website, just observe what proportion of each job description refers to knowledge and qualifications and how much is devoted to other skills. You could be in for a surprise. Your specialised knowledge may get you a position, but it is those important skills we tend to overlook which will enable you to do your job successfully.

You may think that a lack of relevant, industry-specific experience will stop you from getting a job but this is not always the case. If you are changing careers, have recently graduated, or are looking for your first job, you’ll be pleased to learn that employers are often looking for potential. It is vital, therefore, that you sell your potential by demonstrating the transferable skills that you have developed already.

Employers are usually looking for abilities and qualities that they recognise to be present in the most effective employees. These soft skills, such as being able to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, showing initiative, creativity and integrity, and having a good work attitude, are valuable across all industries.

Below are the key transferable skills that you should develop to assist with your career progression:

Communication skills
Good communication is about conveying thoughts and ideas effectively, as well as listening to others and understanding what they are attempting to communicate. Key communication skills include:
• Speaking effectively and writing concisely
• Listening carefully and providing feedback
• Expressing ideas and feelings constructively
• Negotiating and persuading others
• Developing rapport with others

Leadership and management skills
Effective leadership and management is about directing and motivating others to achieve individual, team and company goals. Key transferable skills include:
• Managing groups and delegating responsibilities
• Planning and coordinating tasks
• Solving problems and managing conflict
• Making and implementing decisions
• Motivating, coaching and training others

Planning and research skills
Planning and research skills enable you to articulate needs and formulate a strategy to accomplish specific objectives. Transferable skills in planning and research can include:
• Identifying needs and required resources
• Setting goals and identifying courses of action
• Gathering relevant information and evaluating results
• Forecasting, predicting and monitoring situations
• Analysing, interpreting and disseminating information

Teamwork and interpersonal skills
These skills are about the contribution you make to groups and the way you relate to and interact with others to achieve a common goal. Key transferable skills include:
• Sharing credit and accepting responsibility
• Contributing and encouraging the ideas of others
• Developing rapport and respecting other opinions
• Negotiation and influencing others
• Modifying communication to suit the situation

Self-management skills
Self-management is about how you direct your own activities toward the achievement of objectives. Transferable skills in self management include:
• Managing time and organising priorities
• Setting goals, meeting deadlines and solving problems
• Working well under pressure and accepting responsibility
• Ability to get along well with others
• Self evaluation and decision making

It is vital that you sell your potential by demonstrating the transferable skills that you have developed already