Today’s competitive market forces many job seekers to pursue positions outside of the field that they are most qualified for. If you find yourself in this situation, the good news is that you likely possess transferable skills that are marketable across industries. For instance, Research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) recently revealed that above all else, “employers are looking for team players and candidates who have strong verbal communication skills.” Other transferable skills and characteristics most sought after by employers include:
- Team focus
- Strong verbal communication
- Decision-making and problem solving
- Obtaining and processing information
- Planning, organizing, and prioritizing work
- Analyze quantitative data
- Possessing technical knowledge
- Being computer proficient
- Creating and/or editing written reports
- Selling or influencing others
If you are hoping to break into a new industry, or even just want your application to stand out from the crowd, it is therefore essential that you carefully incorporate these and other transferable skills into your resume and cover letter. Transferable skills can be categorized into five broad areas: 1) Communication skills, 2) Research and Planning, 3) Interpersonal skills, 4) Organization, Management and Leadership, and 5) Work Survival Skills. Read the rest of this entry
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