For most of our educational lives, we are focused on acquiring ‘hard’ or technical skills and certifications, which qualify us to work in specific jobs or industries. However, in the past few years, more employers and companies are placing emphasis on the types of skills that are valued across a variety of contexts, regardless of the field of work. These are called transferable skills.
Transferable skills are often developed through hobbies, paid work, volunteering and general life experience- so, everyone has at least a few transferable skills. To find out what your personal transferable skills are, there are a few steps you can take:
- Write a list of all the tasks you typically complete during a day at work.
Even if they seem mundane or overly simple, write them down! By doing this, you are effectively mapping out the way that you navigate the responsibilities that your job entails.
- Based on the list of daily tasks, identify what your strengths are.
When doing this, ask yourself: What skills do you have that have been acknowledged or praised by your team or supervisor? What is it that your team and supervisor rely on you for?
Are there any skills that come so easily to you that they’re often overlooked? In what areas or tasks are you the most confident, meaning that you’ve been improving those skills for the longest?
- Finally, list the strengths that bring you the most happiness and joy
You’ll likely find that this list very closely aligns with what job you want to do. By identifying these and adding them to your resume or LinkedIn, you have a better chance of finding a position that fulfills you, both professionally and personally.
The benefits of identifying and marketing your transferable skills to employers and companies is invaluable, as they can assist you in transitioning from one job or industry to another.
There are plenty of examples of past and present OPEC College students using transferable skills to move up in their industries; one of which is Trinity Pryor. Trinity is a 17-year-old air force cadet who is doing exceptionally well in advancing her Air Force career using the transferable skills, she has picked up from a Diploma of Leadership and Management.
Another fantastic example of switching between jobs using transferable skills is Marjorie Aloua, a newly graduated student who started as an Aged-Care nurse and is now doing quality pastoral care auditing, thanks to her personal transferable skills and completion of a Diploma of Quality Auditing.
It is not necessary to complete a degree or a certification to gain transferable skills, but it is certainly a valuable way to learn or improve them- and receiving a certification at the end means future employers can be confident in your skills.
Transferable skills are often developed through hobbies, paid work, volunteering and general life experience- so, everyone has at least a few transferable skills. To find out what your personal transferable skills are, there are a few steps you can take:
- Write a list of all the tasks you typically complete during a day at work.
Even if they seem mundane or overly simple, write them down! By doing this, you are effectively mapping out the way that you navigate the responsibilities that your job entails.
- Based on the list of daily tasks, identify what your strengths are.
When doing this, ask yourself: What skills do you have that have been acknowledged or praised by your team or supervisor? What is it that your team and supervisor rely on you for?
Are there any skills that come so easily to you that they’re often overlooked? In what areas or tasks are you the most confident, meaning that you’ve been improving those skills for the longest?
- Finally, list the strengths that bring you the most happiness and joy
You’ll likely find that this list very closely aligns with what job you want to do. By identifying these and adding them to your resume or LinkedIn, you have a better chance of finding a position that fulfills you, both professionally and personally.
The benefits of identifying and marketing your transferable skills to employers and companies is invaluable, as they can assist you in transitioning from one job or industry to another.
There are plenty of examples of past and present OPEC College students using transferable skills to move up in their industries; one of which is Trinity Pryor. Trinity is a 17-year-old air force cadet who is doing exceptionally well in advancing her Air Force career using the transferable skills, she has picked up from a Diploma of Leadership and Management.
Another fantastic example of switching between jobs using transferable skills is Marjorie Aloua, a newly graduated student who started as an Aged-Care nurse and is now doing quality pastoral care auditing, thanks to her personal transferable skills and completion of a Diploma of Quality Auditing.
It is not necessary to complete a degree or a certification to gain transferable skills, but it is certainly a valuable way to learn or improve them- and receiving a certification at the end means future employers can be confident in your skills.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our courses and how they can help you with transferable skills, get in touch with our team by calling 1300 99 6732 or contacting us here.
