What are transferable skills? Definition and examples

Transferable skills are essential to your career success. 

The work environment is increasingly competitive. However, a lot has changed, one of which is the skills required by recruiters. 

In the past, recruiters gave preference to professionals with training and technical skills that matched the job description. 

However, the behavioral skills began to be highly valued, in some cases even more than technical skills. 

There are some behavioral skills that transition very well into any area or career, they are classified as transferable skills. 

In today's text you will discover what it is, definitions, importance and some examples that can be included on your resume. 

Don't miss it! See below what will be covered in this text: 

• What are transferable skills?
• Examples of transferable skills:
• 1. Leadership;
• 2. Adaptability;
• 3. Organization;
• 4. Time management;
• 5. Computer skills;
• 6. Communication;
• 7. Teamwork;
• 8. Emotional intelligence;
• How to highlight these skills on your resume?
• Conclusion.

What are transferable skills? Definition and meaning

Also known as transferable skills, transferable skills are those that can be useful in different areas and careers. 

That is, those behavioral or technical skills that can be easily used in any position or job you hold, or at least most of them. 

Some transferable skills can be soft skills or hard skills. Read the text and discover the difference!

Certainly, throughout your professional life you have developed many of these skills, this is because you can acquire new skills in each career experience.

Some of these skills are more in demand than others by recruiters. However, you may have more transferable skills than you think. 

If you are thinking about changing positions, companies or are looking for a job, know that they can make all the difference on your resume. 

Examples of transferable skills 

Despite all the transferable skills are important, some are more requested by recruiters, for example, interpersonal skills. 

Recruiters know that when a professional already has a certain transferable skill, he will not need to be trained. 

In addition, he will immediately join the company team and will be able to start in any career area. 

See below some examples that you can highlight on your resume, if you have any of them. 

1. Leadership

A person with this ability knows how to supervise and manage a team, but, in addition, can lead projects and ensure that goals are met. 

In fact, leadership encompasses a sequence of transferable skills, for example, communication, persuasion, negotiation, problem solving and relationship building. 

2. Adaptability

Business strategies are constantly changing, so recruiters are looking for a professional who knows how to keep up with these changes. 

Additionally, there may be frequent changes in staff and routine activities, and adjustments and adaptations are quite common.

Therefore, it is very important to have professionals who are adaptable, that is, who have the ability to adapt to changes easily and without their performance being affected. 

3. Organization

Organization is an essential quality for increasing productivity and developing projects. 

In leadership, it is essential to delegate tasks, achieve goals and achieve the organization's objectives. 

4. Time management

Knowing how to manage time is very important to stay organized and make deliveries on time and with quality. 

In the organizational environment, it is more linked to the way in which the professional plans, prioritizes and executes their tasks within the given time. 

Furthermore, a professional with this skill can focus on their activities and monitor their progress. 

5. Computer skills

This is certainly one of the transferable skills most requested when the subject is hard skills. 

A professional with this skill can stand out from the rest, and can also occupy better positions and, as a result, earn better salaries. 

6. Communication

Knowing how to communicate is key to conveying ideas in an understandable way, resolving conflicts and also expressing yourself. 

To have this skill you need to know how to communicate through different channels: email, telephone and in person. 

Furthermore, one of the pillars of successful communication is knowing how to listen. By listening you know, identify, learn and understand.

7. Teamwork

What's the point of having a professional with the technical skills to fill a position, but who doesn't know how to work in a team, take orders or even listen to his colleagues? 

Certainly, this professional will harm the unity and harmony of the team, and as a result, it can also hinder the company's development.

Therefore, recruiters highly value professionals who know how to work in a team and maintain good interpersonal relationships. 

8. Emotional intelligence   

A professional with this skill can balance their emotions and be resilient. In addition, they can remain calm in the face of conflict. 

This way, he thinks better and is able to evaluate and make more assertive decisions. In addition, he is also more collaborative with the team than the others. 

It is no wonder that this topic is so debated today and organizations are increasingly looking for professionals with emotional intelligence. 

Other examples of transferable skills:

• Reliability;
• Team management;
• Troubleshooting;
• Data analysis;
• Empathy;
• Technological literacy;
• Analytical reasoning;
• Critical thinking;
• Ability to listen;
• Creativity;
• Attention to detail;
• Relationship building;
• Project management.

How to highlight these skills on your resume?

You can highlight these skills in the “Skills” section. You don’t need to fill your resume with a list of them, just highlight the ones that are most relevant to the position.  

Another way to highlight them is by highlighting a maximum of two in your professional summary or even at the beginning of your professional experiences. 

In the cover letter it is also recommended to include between two and four transferable skills. 

Furthermore, it is very important to highlight them in the interview and also know how to inform how they will be useful in the work environment and in the development of activities. 

Conclusion

Professionals with transferable skills has a broad set of skills that can be used when needed, and recruiters even know this. 

Knowing how to identify, work on and highlight these skills increases your chances of getting a job. 

Furthermore, it can contribute to the transformation and evolution of your career. 

Nara Sampaio July 8, 2022