Jobs that complement each other are a crucial part of developing a career. It can help to learn skills and knowledge that you can transfer into different industries.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common transferable skills and discuss how they can help you in your career.
What are transferable skills?
Simply put, transferable skills are skills that can be applied in a number of different settings. They are the skills that you learn in one area of your life that can be used in another area. For example, if you are a great communicator, you can use those communication skills in many different fields, such as customer service or hospitality. If you are an expert at public speaking, you could use those skills for a career in sales. Since no two jobs are the same, employers look for candidates that can demonstrate transferable skills in the workforce, because they show flexibility and adaptability.
Technology
With word processing, spreadsheets, email and other essential software packages being a commonality among most employers, it’s important to know your way around a computer. Furthermore, transferable skills in technology are not just about being able to use Microsoft Word or Excel; skills in this category also encompass items like website design, graphic design, animation and even basic coding. Many of these technical skills can be self-taught through exploring various software programs and learning the different functions available. However, some employers may require certification in certain programs before they will consider you for a position. You can learn technology through exploring your devices in various ways: you can even play games on Canadian $1 Online Casinos, watch videos about trending tech and you can read books and gather information traditionally.
Professionalism & strong work ethics
Professionalism and strong work ethics transfer into any job. Professionalism involves behaving in a certain way that is respectful and courteous to others, being punctual and reliable, exhibiting a positive attitude, having integrity and displaying a willingness to learn. Strong work ethic skills are usually related to attitudes like determination, perseverance and resilience. Work skills also include a focus on quality, taking pride in your work and being able to work independently. These skills can be learned through any type of job, whether it is in an office or a retail setting.
Leadership & management
Leadership skills involve the ability to motivate and inspire others, as well as delegating tasks and managing time effectively. Management skills include being able to plan and organize, set goals and priorities, and monitor progress. These skills can be developed through work experience, but also through extracurricular activities like sports or student government.
Customer service
Customer service transferable skills involve the ability to deal with difficult customer inquiries or complaints, providing excellent service and maintaining a positive attitude. These skills can be learned through customer service jobs, but also through volunteering or internships.
Interpersonal and communication
Interpersonal skills involve the ability to build relationships, work as part of a team and resolve conflicts. Communication skills involve the ability to listen attentively, as well as to speak and write clearly. These skills can be developed through any type of job, but also through participation in group activities or public speaking. These skills can be developed through any type of job, but also through participation in group activities or public speaking and TED coaching training.
Communication skills are essentially essential for a professional. This can be verbal or written communications. One of the most critical communication skills today is e-mail. All professions require email. Skilled writers are required to create clear and concise emails in the right style and format.
Teamwork
In almost every job, you will have to work with a team. Even if you are self-employed, you will need to collaborate with other professionals. Therefore, it is essential to know how to be a good team member. This means being able to communicate well, being respectful of others and their opinions, being able to compromise and being willing to work hard. These skills can be learned through any type of job, but also through participation in group activities or sports.
Flexibility
Flexibility skills involve the ability to be adaptable and to change plans when necessary. Changing perspectives is important to learn different points of views and to improve workflow as changes occur in a team. These skills can be learned through any type of job but are especially important in jobs that are fast-paced or constantly changing.
Initiative and enterprise
Initiative skills involve being able to take the initiative to start projects or tasks, as well as to see them through to completion. Enterprise skills involve the ability to identify opportunities and to come up with creative solutions. These skills can be learned through any type of job but are especially important in jobs that require problem-solving or creativity.
Leadership
Leadership skills involve the ability to motivate and inspire others, as well as delegating tasks and managing time effectively. Management skills include being able to plan and organize, set goals and priorities, and monitor progress. These skills can be developed through work experience, but also through extracurricular activities like sports or student government.
What are two of the most important skills to have?
- Oral & written communication skills
The ability to listen attentively, as well as to speak and write clearly is important in every job. In this technological era, the tendency to send quick texts is often a problem that results in poor written or oral communication. Having a good grasp on digital technologies will help you develop many careers but it isn’t the only means to communicate. Communication skills also considered important. 96% think communication skills are crucial, but only 42.7% are considered effective in this regard.
Improve oral communication skills
The simpler the message the higher chance others will receive the information correctly. Make your message clear by being concise. Practice what you’re going to say and make sure the other person is ready to listen. If not, don’t start talking. Picking up on nonverbal cues will also help you understand whether or not the person is ready to communicate. Finally, listen carefully. You must be very attentive when communicating effectively. By listening carefully, you get more detailed answers to your queries.
Improve writing communication skills
Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This will make your writing look more professional and will give the reader a better impression of you. Use simple words and sentences. The shorter the sentence, the easier it is to understand. Be clear and concise. Write in an active voice as opposed to a passive voice. This will make your writing more powerful. Use concrete words and images. This will help the reader to visualize what you are trying to say. Finally, edit and proofread your work. This will ensure that there are no errors in your writing.
Both oral and written communication skills are important transferable skills to have. By improving these skills, you will be able to communicate more effectively in any job.
- Critical thinking
Critical thinking skills involve the ability to think logically and critically in order to make sound decisions. Problem solving skills involve the ability to identify and solve problems in an efficient and effective manner. In almost everything we do we need to think critically. Critical thinking is an aptitude and habit formed to help solve problems. Though critical thinking can be taught in the classroom, it is important to be applied to the workplace in order to become accustomed to using it every day. In the U.S. Critical thinking skills are regarded as the highest importance of a job by employers.
How can I develop critical thinking skills?
There are a few exercises you can do to help develop your critical thinking skills. One is to read and analyze arguments. This will help you learn how to identify the premises and conclusions of an argument, as well as how to spot fallacies. Another exercise is to practice brainstorming. This will help you learn how to come up with creative solutions to problems. Finally, you can try to solve puzzles and brainteasers. This will help you develop your problem solving skills. By doing these exercises regularly, you will be able to improve your critical thinking skills.
Critical thinking is a transferable skill that is important in any job but are especially important in jobs that require decision-making or problem-solving. By developing this skill, you will be able to make better decisions and solve problems more effectively.
Key skills that graduate recruiters look for
The most important transferable skill that graduate recruiters look for is commercial awareness. This is the ability to understand how businesses work and how they make money. By developing the following skills, you will be able to stand out from other graduates and increase your chances of getting a job.
Analytical skills
Analytic skills assist the reader in learning new things, seeing patterns and trends and drawing logical conclusions. Analytical abilities are sometimes measured by aptitude and psychometric tests.
Managing ambiguity
Managing ambiguity is the ability to deal with incomplete or contradictory information. It is a skill that is often required in fast-paced environments where decisions need to be made quickly.
Enterprise and entrepreneurial skills
Enterprise and entrepreneurial skills are the ability to identify opportunities and turn them into a successful business. These skills are often developed through experience but can also be learned through formal education.
Commercial awareness
As mentioned before, commercial awareness is the ability to understand how businesses work and how they make money. This skill is often developed through work experience but can also be learned through formal education.
Summary
Transferable skills are an important part of your career development. By learning these skills, you will be able to adapt to different situations and demonstrate your value to potential employers. If you are looking for a new job, think about the transferable skills that you can offer to an employer. Are you a great communicator? Do you have strong work ethic? Are you a leader? Use your transferable skills to your advantage and you will be sure to land the job of your dreams.
