Transferable skills: What they are and how you can spot them

• We bet the question on your mind now is, why should a broadband technology company be talking about transferable skills. Well, apart from the fact that we are a brand that cares about you and your wellbeing, we realized that because we live in a time where we can do almost anything on the internet, we are gradually abandoning skills that not only make us human but help us to stand out in our career.

Therefore, we took it upon ourselves to research and share this topic.

So, enjoy it!

The year is almost over and as it’s common, job hunting will be on the rise. A lot of us want a change of jobs and we feel our skills will not fit.

That isn’t entirely true

Have you looked through a job application and your initial thoughts are “OMG! I don’t have the required or essential skills necessary for the job” Don’t panic just yet, we have the scoop to calm your career nerves. But before that, let’s talk a little about transferable skills.

What are the transferable skills?

Transferable skills are abilities and talents you can take from job to job irrespective of the industry. They are skills you have acquired over time and can implement in any future career setting. These skills are categorized as more soft skills than technical skills.

How can they be acquired?

Transferable skills can be acquired in several ways. For instance, they can be gotten through volunteering, apprenticeship, internship opportunities, training (formal and informal), and any job, task, or role you were or are still involved in including parenting.

What set of skills are described as transferable?

Interpersonal and people skills

Simply put, interpersonal and people skills are skills that show how well you relate to others. It is how you communicate (written and verbal), your level of empathy for others, conflict resolution, and willingness to get along with others (team player), to ensure and achieve a common goal.

Leadership skills

The ability to influence a set of people to achieve a goal or move in a particular direction is an essential trait of leadership. This set of soft skills is developed over time. Top tips are how you can effectively communicate, how indispensable you are, integrity, commitment to tasks/a cause, problem-solving, ability to take the initiative, decision-making skills, evaluating, delegating, and managing.

Organizational skills

This set of skills requires you to employ your energy, resources, and time in an efficient yet effective way. Put simply, it is how you can follow through, manage your time, prioritize your work, planning while meeting deadlines.

Information technology skills

20 years ago, no one would have thought to add this as a soft skill but today, information technology skills are a must-have. The use of I.T skills is more than essential in our everyday life. However, you need to show an ability to use formal I.T skills in a work environment. The top tip is having the ability to use Microsoft Office packages.

Communication skills

Not being able to communicate has been the bane of our society. This set of skills cannot be overemphasized enough. To be a person with these skillsets, you must have the ability to articulate, explain, persuade, and speak in public settings (meetings, work presentations, or informal settings). Put simply, it is how well you are understood either through an email or letter or through your speech.

How do I know if I have them?

Get out your pen and a paper and begin to make a list of skills and talents you have acquired thus far. Reflect on the roles you have done in the past (even in an educational environment) and as you go through this set of skills, create a list of your own set of transferable skills. Also, ask your friends, colleagues, and bosses what makes you stand out to them.