Assessing Your Transferable Skills for Career Transition

Transitioning to a new career can be daunting, but understanding your transferable skills can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll explore how to identify and assess these skills, so you feel confident moving forward in your career journey.
By Taylor

What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills are abilities and expertise that can be applied in various jobs and industries. They can come from previous work experiences, volunteer roles, or even personal projects. Understanding these skills is crucial when transitioning to a new career.

Why Assess Your Transferable Skills?

When you assess your transferable skills, you:

  • Gain clarity on what you bring to the table in a new role.
  • Enhance your resume and cover letter by highlighting relevant abilities.
  • Build confidence in interviews by articulating your skill set.

Step-by-Step Guide to Assessing Your Transferable Skills

  1. List Your Previous Job Roles
    Write down all the jobs you’ve held, including internships, volunteer work, and freelance roles. For example:

    • Customer Service Representative
    • Project Coordinator
    • Graphic Designer

  2. Identify Key Responsibilities
    For each role, list out your main responsibilities. This will help you see the skills you used regularly. For instance:

    • Customer Service Representative: Handled customer inquiries, resolved complaints, and maintained customer satisfaction.
    • Project Coordinator: Managed timelines, coordinated team efforts, and tracked project milestones.
    • Graphic Designer: Created visual content, collaborated with clients, and met tight deadlines.

  3. Match Responsibilities to Skills
    Now, translate those responsibilities into transferable skills. Use action verbs and be specific. Here’s how:

    • Customer Service Representative:
      • Skill: Communication Skills
      • Skill: Problem-Solving
    • Project Coordinator:
      • Skill: Time Management
      • Skill: Team Collaboration
    • Graphic Designer:
      • Skill: Creativity
      • Skill: Attention to Detail

  4. Seek Feedback from Others
    Sometimes, it’s hard to see our own skills. Ask colleagues, friends, or mentors what they believe your strengths are. You might be surprised by their insights! For example:

    • A coworker might highlight your leadership skills during team projects.
    • A friend could mention your ability to adapt to new situations quickly.

  5. Evaluate Skills in Relation to Your Desired Career
    Research the skills needed in your target job or industry. Compare your list of transferable skills with job descriptions. This will help you identify gaps and areas for improvement. For example:

    • If you’re moving from a Project Coordinator role to a Marketing Manager role, you may find that your skills in team collaboration and time management are highly relevant, while you might need to develop skills in digital marketing.

  6. Create a Transferable Skills Summary
    Finally, compile your findings into a brief summary. This can be used in your resume, cover letter, and interviews. For example:

    • Transferable Skills Summary:
      • Strong communication and problem-solving abilities honed through customer service experience.
      • Proven track record in time management and team collaboration from project coordination roles.
      • Creative thinker with a keen eye for detail, developed through graphic design projects.

Conclusion

Assessing your transferable skills is a vital step in your career transition. By following these steps, you can confidently identify the strengths you bring to a new role and articulate them effectively to potential employers. Remember, every skill you’ve gained contributes to your unique professional profile, so embrace this journey of self-discovery!