Article by Guest Blogger, Taury Phelps, Intern at LifeWorkSource
Finding and applying your transferable skills is among the most important steps in career development. Unfortunately, it is a step that most people overlook because we tend to think linearly when it comes to our careers (ex. “I can’t apply for that job because I’ve never done that work before.”). Nevertheless, it is never to late to learn and devise a new approach to personal and professional development.
According to Caryanne Keenan, professional career coach and founder of LifeWorkSource, transferable skills are “areas of competence that you develop through experiences, education, and training that can be applied to other areas of your life and career.” Oftentimes, people get discouraged because they only have one type of experience. But what they don’t realize is that every relationship they built, every project they managed, and negotiation they made constitutes a unique and transferable skill set.
THE PROFESSIONAL RESILIENCE MINDSET
When we enter a new job role or experience, a million thoughts race through our mind. Some of us default to, “I don’t even know how I got here, I have no idea what I’m doing, I’m going to fail,” while others may take a different approach and think, “I don’t even know how I got here, I have so much to learn, I can’t wait to get started!” The second approach creates an advantage because this way of thinking cultivates what I like to call a “professional resilience mindset.” An individual with this mindset has taken stock of what skills they know they bring to the table. And at that point, are ready to add them to their inventory of assets that will help them move up the success ladder. This is why transferable skills are so important—if you are always seeking opportunities to be stimulated and challenged, you are less likely to develop a self-debilitating mindset.
If you are someone with a mindset similar to the first approach, you are not alone.
Most people aren’t aware of the power of their past experiences and will often sell themselves short as a result. Regarding this issue Caryanne says, “The challenge [is] in articulating [your transferable skills] to potential employers in a powerful way, particularly when starting out in a new field.” The skill of articulation itself is crucial when setting yourself apart from other candidates. This is where it is most helpful to do some self-advocating and seek professional help with documents and correspondence. What you bring to the table is important, but it is equally important to bring it with confidence and an attention to detail. The fact of the matter is that most employers want a candidate who is adaptable and willing to learn, so you probably know so much more than you think you do.
NACE TOP 20
Every day there is someone who opens a job application for a managerial position and thinks, “Well, I’ve only worked in customer service, what could I have to offer?” Begin by asking yourself:
- What challenges arose in my experiences?
- How did I handle them?
- How is this relevant to this new job?
Once you have answered these questions, have a look at data from the the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook Report for 2019. This will tell you the top 20 skills employers look for in potential entry level candidates across all industries today.
The top three transferable skills for this year are written communication skills by 82%, problem-solving skills by 80.9%, and ability to work in a team by 78.7%. SOFT SKILLS FOR THE WIN!!! No but seriously, while it is important to have a strong set of technical skills for certain fields like engineering, EVERY job, even engineering, requires a delicate balance of hard and soft skills. With this in mind, take a minute or two to do some self-reflection and write down some examples of how you have demonstrated the top skills. Keep this list handy for the next time you sit with your customer service resume and fill out an application for a marketing position. Promote your best self and think twice about just how relevant your experiences really are.
A CALL TO ACTION
Transferable skills are more than a list of things you know how to do, transferable skills are the difference between belief and action. The very first step in finding and applying your transferable skills is believing in yourself. With that being said, the following are what we at LifeWorkSource would like you to take away from this message:
- Every experience is a learning opportunity. Use what you know to learn what you don’t. Approach every challenge with optimism and a willingness to learn. It is okay to ask for help and admit you don’t know something; it is not okay not to remain stagnant and let future opportunities pass you by. You are in control of what you do, do it well and move forward.
- Don’t sell yourself short! Seek out professional help and career coaching and learn to advocate for yourself in the most effective way possible. You know more than you think you do—harness the skill to present your experiences verbally and on paper.
- Jobs are not the only way to gain transferable skills. Job shadows, certifications, volunteer work, temporary work, fellowships…..DO IT ALL! Take advantage of every opportunity you can until you feel you have acquired the skills to go after the job/career/life you want. And even then, keep educating yourself. Remember: Development never stops if you don’t.
AN ENCOURAGING FAREWELL
We at LifeWorkSource encourage you to challenge yourself and use your transferable skills to create a meaningful life for yourself. We encourage you to use our services and engage in the first step of self-advocacy. We encourage you to let us help you transform the way you live, lead, and work!
Taury is a Culture & Communication Studies Major with a Minor in Education at Ithaca College, where she is also a scholar in the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network. She is also a Social Media & Marketing Intern for LifeWorkSource and a Peer Career Advisor for Ithaca College’s Career Services office.
