If you take a look at the latest jobs on our website, you’ll notice that each position has different requirements and responsibilities. Although having the relevant technical skill set is essential, there are many transferable skills you may have learnt during your career that can set you apart from other applicants and help you land your dream job. If you’re a graduate or making a career change, these skills are even more important. Here’s a list of our top five transferable skills.

Communication

Possibly the most important and widely recognised transferable skill, communication is essential in any role. Unless you work by yourself, in a cave, have no clients and don’t need to speak to anyone.

There are many forms of communication that you are likely to use on any given day at work. This could be in writing (emails, letters, messages), orally (in person, over the phone, or shouted across the office floor) and also physically (body language, facial expressions). Your communications skills are central to developing business relationships with both colleagues and clients.

Leadership

Leadership qualities are highly desirable in any job market. This is an important skill not just for senior members of staff, but also for juniors and graduates. If you display leadership qualities, you may be more likely to progress quickly within your organisation.

Problem Solving

Life is unpredictable. As is work, so the ability to problem solve can be very useful in the workplace. It involves thinking critically and acting instinctively. This is a skill that not everyone possesses, so if you do, find an opportunity to market yourself to prospective employers as a critical thinker and a problem solver.

Motivation

Positivity and motivation are such important qualities to have. Not only are you more likely to get the most out of your job, but your seniors are also more likely to trust you to work independently if they know you can motivate yourself to get work done. This is a great skill to demonstrate in an interview as prospective employers are likely to be impressed by candidates who are motivated.

Networking

Similar to communication, this skill is integral to building good business relationships. The ability to network can help you to make contacts in you industry, which will help with your professional development. Networking can also make you aware of opportunities in both your professional and personal lives.

Recognising that you possess some of these transferable skills is the first step, but it is also essential that you demonstrate your transferable skills to prospective employers. Your first contact with a prospective employer is through your CV, so it is so important that you express the above skills in your CV.

Rather than simply listing your skills and giving examples of when you have used them, the best way to demonstrate transferable skills is in your career history. For example, listing “liaising with clients and stakeholders” or “working with colleagues on ‘x’ project” as responsibilities would be a great way to express your communication skills without explicitly writing “I am good at communicating because…”.

Do you possess any of the above skills? Not quite sure how to demonstrate them in your CV? Give us a call to discuss how to use transferable skills to your advantage in your job search - 0141 375 7955

*no longer works for the company*

I joined the Glasgow team in October 2017. Originally from Australia, I moved to Switzerland with my family at 13 (see: Heidi). I then moved to Scotland for university in 2013 and now, having graduated with an MA(Hons) in Sociology from Glasgow University, am excited to pursue a career in recruitment at Mattinson Partnership. I’ll be covering all environmental, planning and engineering roles across Scotland, Ireland and the North of England. In my spare time you’ll find me exploring Glasgow, spending time with friends or watching Gilmore Girls reruns.