Job seekers are often encouraged to keep their CV clear and simple so that prospective employers can easily find the information they are looking for. But when it comes to listing skills this can be a little more tricky.
Should you mention your waitressing skills? Or your ability to work a cash register? According to community relations manager, Theresa Maher, you need to identify and include your transferable skills.
“Transferable skills are skills that can be learned from multiple different experiences in your life.” These skills can be obtained through past work experience, relationships or hobbies and can be applied in any job or company. Essentially, transferable skills are skills that can be transferred from, or used in different jobs and experiences.
Transferable skills can be divided into 5 categories:
Communication Skills
Negotiating, editing and speaking are all considered to be communication skills. Regardless of your position or field of work the ability to communicate effectively is the basis of any employment. Think of past work experiences that demonstrate your ability in this area.
Research and planning
Can you set goals and develop clear ideas? Companies need people who can set targets and implement strategies to reach those goals. If you are skilled in this area make sure you include your competencies and experiences in this field.
Interpersonal Skills
This refers to skills like team work, conflict resolution, motivation and problem-solving skills. A well rounded employee is someone who can work well alone and with others. It is important for prospective employers to see that you are a balanced, mature individual who can perform in any setting.
Leadership Skills
This can refer to the ability to supervise, delegate or motivate others. These are specialist skills that few possess. Did you work on projects where you had to take the lead? Companies want to know that you can lead yourself and others.
Productivity
These skills relate to your day-to-day productivity and performance. For example competencies like time management, multi-tasking and punctuality are often overlooked but can be vital over long-term employment.
In order to impress a future employers, job applicants should include additional skills that are relevant to the position. But how do you know which skills will be beneficial to the organisation?
It is best to research the company and find out what tools or software they use. Another good way to learn more about the organisation is to speak to people who are already working there.
If you don't have all the necessary qualifications or experience that a job requires, draw from these categories to demonstrate your competence and expertise. While these skills may seem simple, they can be extremely advantageous in separating you from your competition and mastering these skills can go a long way in helping you succeed at your job.
