Inspired by a recent question to @career_re (our X account), I put together the following snapshot of tips, ideas and insights on the subject of transferable skills.

I hope you find it helpful too.

And if you would like the one-page pdf version please click here…

Transferable Skills and You

The world is a dynamic, changing place; where predicting specific skills and talent requirements isn’t always straightforward.

Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA) are at higher levels than ever before which causes headaches for people who like to do-the-same-old-thing and creates opportunities for those who are agile and adaptable.

Enter your transferable skills!

Skills which help you to thrive, succeed and add value wherever your career adventure takes you.

Transferable and Employable

Firstly, here are few useful definitions…

Skills. Your ability to use knowledge and experience to achieve results.

Transferable skills. Your ever-evolving tool kit of skills that enables you to make a difference; thrive and succeed; add value in different and varied situations and scenarios.

Capabilities. Your power or potential to do something.

Job readiness. The process of getting ready to enter the workforce.

Employability. Your life-long skills and capabilities needed to access and continue to succeed in the workplace.

Setting the Scene

Understanding and explaining your transferable skills can sometimes be a challenge, even to the most apparently confident people.

Why?

Because putting yourself in the spotlight can trigger all sorts of emotions and contradictions.

This is why tapping in to your creativity and using different contexts can help you gain better understanding of your value. As well as helping others to understand it too.

With this in mind, it can be helpful to structure your thinking around transferable skills in the following way…

Inspiration: Taking a fresh perspective to boost energy and motivation

Insights: Exploring and researching for information and ideas

Identity: Understanding and appreciating your value and skills

Inspiration

WHY? Using your creativity to go beyond today brings a different perspective to your thinking around transferable skills. It helps with decision making, reduces the sense of risk and can help spark ideas.

BENEFITS: Being inspired by possibilities and having a sense of direction brings positive energy to how you appreciate, develop and articulate your transferable skills.

ACTIVITY: Imaging Your Future
Transport yourself into the future. Use your imagination and aspirations to inspire and inform your choices.

ONWARDS: Use your vision work to help inform your choices and development today and into the future. Keep evolving your aspirations; they evolve as you evolve and grow.

Insights

WHY? Being courageous and going beyond what you know enables you to find and create career opportunities. It gives you a different externalised perspective of transferable skills. One which is based on more than your view and of those in your ‘comfort zone’.

BENEFITS: Broadening your scope; being curious help you to understand more about what is needed and valued in different contexts. It enables you to make a match between the transferable skills needed and what you have to offer. Plus it helps you find any gaps.

ACTIVITY: Curious Explorer
Go beyond what you know to explore different industries, roles and stories. Use these insights to gain an external view of what transferable skills are wanted and needed.

ONWARDS: Stay curious and exploring; be an active opportunity hunter. It helps you maintain an external perspective. Don’t get too comfortable, what’s in demand today might not be tomorrow.

Identity

WHY? Thinking and describing yourself in terms of achievements and transferable skills helps you appreciate your value. It enables you to see yourself as more than a title, like ‘researcher’ or ‘director’. Your identity is not your title! You are a value creator.

BENEFITS: Understanding your transferable skills enables you to see yourself in terms of the value you have already demonstrated. Boosting self-worth and confidence for you; helping others build trust in you.

ACTIVITY: Being Proud of You
Shine the spotlight on your achievements. Capture them and analyse the transferable skills you have used. You are not a ‘title’, you are a value creator.

ONWARDS: Keep investing in and understanding the value of your transferable skills; it’s a life-long learning and self-awareness thing. Every day is an adventure with gaps to be filled by you and the value you add.

Still have questions? Please drop me a line. I’m always happy to help.