Transferable Skills

Have you thought about making a major career change? Do you feel you have been pigeon-holed in the same career path seemingly forever? If you’re attempting to make a career change, it is your responsibility to alert the potential employer you have the skills necessary to do the job. Often, employers are unable to see beyond your current job title, so you need to convince them you have the necessary transferable skills to perform their job requirements.

Use the following tips to persuade future employers about your transferable skills.

• Focus on the skills that can be useful in a wide variety of areas and positions, such as problem solving, analysis, writing, presenting, management, and communication skills. Your college degree should not define you and neither should your current industry or job.
• Think outside of the box. We grow and learn with every job. Identify the skills you have learned in your present job that you can now sell to a new employer. Focus on the things you do especially well. Find a way to list these on your résumé through a profile section or by using a non-traditional functional résumé format.
• Accentuate the positive. When talking about your experience, take employers where you want them to go. For example, if you are a waiter who wants to go into marketing, highlight your marketing experience. Use your volunteer work in the community as experience—this certainly counts even if it wasn’t a paid position.
• Focus in on your personal traits and characteristics. These qualities tell an employer about your values and the way you work. You may describe yourself as results-oriented, customer-focused, creative, or motivated. All of these words help an employer get a sense of who you are and how you might fit into their organization.
• Provide factual evidence you can do the job. Use past accomplishments to demonstrate what you did and the results you achieved. Concrete examples will help a new employer see how you can add value to their organization.

For assistance on changing careers or adding transferable skills to your résumé contact Alumni Career Services at 717-477-1218 or alumni@ship.edu.