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17 essential transferable skills to boost your job search

women-listening-to-presentation-transferable-skills-1

Your most valuable skills are the ones that you carry with you.

Whether you're moving on to a new project, taking on a new role, or taking the leap to a new job, you're never truly starting from scratch. Sometimes it feels like it though, especially if you jumped into a new industry or face a new set of software and tools.

But with deliberate attention to your day-to-day work, you can build a foundation of transferable skills and capabilities that will serve you in any role, in any organization.

These portable skills encompass abilities and skills that you’ve picked up throughout your life that come in handy in any role or industry. For example, strong communication skills make you a better team member or leader, no matter the type of work or what job you’re after.  Any employer will value the ability.

Let’s dive into the meaning of transferable skills, which ones are essential, and ways to highlight them through career change.

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are talents and abilities that are useful across different jobs, industries, and even different areas of your life. 

Here are four examples of transferable skills that we’ll take a closer look at:

  • Communication skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Adaptability

Everyone gains a set of transferable skills throughout their life. You can learn them in school or from your experience in different jobs, mentorships , or volunteering. For instance, writing essays in college taught you research skills, while you might have learned project management skills or data analysis in your current role.

Transferable skills are a mix of soft skills and technical skills, although employers often place more importance on soft skills . These human skills like persuasion or time management are more difficult to train because you develop and refine them through real-life practice. As a result, they are very sought-after.

Co-workers-talking-in-office-transferable-skills

Because transferable skills are useful in different job roles and lines of work, they’re extremely valuable and in-demand with employers . The more transferable skills you can master, the more attractive you become as a job candidate. And the easier it is to transition to different roles or even change career paths .

These proficiencies aren’t just confined to your work. They can be useful in everyday life. For example, strong interpersonal skills can help you make friends more easily .

What are non-transferable skills?

Non-transferable skills are specific talents or abilities that are typically only applicable or useful within a particular job, industry, or context. Unlike transferable skills, which can be applied across various roles and situations, non-transferable skills are more narrowly focused and may not be as easily transferable to different areas of work or life.

How do I identify my transferable skills?

Identifying your transferable skills involves reflecting on your past experiences to pinpoint the abilities and strengths that have been consistently valuable across different situations. You can start by considering tasks or responsibilities in which you've excelled, the feedback you've received from others , and any challenges you've successfully navigated. Additionally, seeking input from mentors, peers, or career advisors can provide valuable insights into your transferable skills.

What is the difference between transferable skills and soft skills?

Transferable skills and soft skills are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction between the two. Transferable skills refer to talents and abilities that can be applied across various jobs, industries, and life situations. Soft skills, on the other hand, encompass non-technical skills that are valuable in the workplace but may not necessarily be transferable to every context.

Why should I include transferable skills on my resume?

Think of your resume as a marketing tool. The better you position yourself to hiring managers, the better your odds of landing your next job. According to a 2021 Monster.com report, 70% of employers want candidates to better articulate their transferable skills .

Including transferable skills on your resume shows employers the types of competencies you already have. It also shows them your potential . Although everyone has some transferable skills, not everyone has the awareness to understand how to apply their skills across different situations and challenges.

Employers want to see that you understand your own growth and development and know how to apply learning from one experience into a new role. For example, if you’re a recent graduate, transferable skills show employers what you can bring to the table even if you have little work experience under your belt.

That being said, you should avoid jamming too many skills on your resume. Stick to the ones that are relevant to the job title you’re applying for, but be ready to talk in more depth about how they fit together when you get that interview.

17 essential transferable skills employers look for

So, what are the transferable skills that are the most important to have?

All transferable skills are valuable. However, some abilities will always be relevant and in-demand. Here’s a list of transferable skills that will make you a marketable job candidate to potential employers.

1. Communication

Communication skills are the bread and butter of your transferable skills toolkit. Communication is a top skill in any role or industry because it’s made up of a multitude of abilities, including:

  • Writing skills
  • Listening skills
  • Giving and receiving feedback
  • Public speaking

Whether you’re communicating with clients, peers, or leaders , it’s important to know how to express your thoughts and ideas and listen with intent .

2. Decision making

Decision-making skills and critical thinking skills involve the ability to evaluate options, weigh alternatives, and make informed choices to achieve desired outcomes. Individuals with strong decision-making skills can analyze information critically, assess risks, and consider potential consequences before taking action. By making timely, well-informed decisions, they can solve problems effectively, seize opportunities, and drive progress, contributing to personal and organizational success.

3. Creativity

A recent LinkedIn Learning report revealed that creativity was the most in-demand skill of 2019 and 2020 . Creative thinking helps you solve problems and use the resources you have available in new and different ways. According to McKinsey, creativity is linked to superior performance and innovation .

While some people are naturally creative, the good news is that creativity can be fostered through learning and practice .

4. Organization skills

Organization skills are essential for maintaining order, efficiency, and productivity in both professional and personal settings. Individuals with strong organizational skills can manage information, resources, and tasks effectively, minimizing clutter, confusion, and delays. By establishing systems for prioritizing , categorizing, and storing information, they can streamline workflows, optimize resource utilization, and meet deadlines consistently.

5. Adaptability

Change is inevitable in today’s world. Adaptability is how well you’re able to adjust to new circumstances. Someone who’s mastered this skill usually has the following characteristics:

  • Resilient when dealing with a stressful situation
  • Easily fits in a new work environment
  • Willing to alter previously held beliefs and learn from others
  • Flexible and open to change

6. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills are essential in navigating the challenges and complexities of any job or industry. Individuals with strong problem-solving abilities can effectively identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop innovative solutions. Whether it's troubleshooting technical issues, resolving conflicts among team members , or devising strategies to improve processes, the capacity to approach problems systematically and creatively is highly valued by employers.

7. Listening skills

Listening skills are critical for effective communication and understanding the needs, perspectives, and concerns of others. Individuals with strong listening skills can focus attentively, comprehend information accurately, and respond thoughtfully. By actively listening to colleagues, clients, or stakeholders, they can build trust, foster collaboration, and address issues effectively, contributing to positive relationships and successful outcomes.

8. Collaboration

Employers seek out job candidates that work well with others . Collaboration leads to increased productivity , innovative ideas, and overall better results.

analysts-working-together-in-front-of-computer-transferable-skills

Teamwork also creates harmonious relationships at work. Solving problems together helps employees form a connection and feel a sense of belonging .

9. Analytical skills

In a 2021 Zety survey, 53% of recruiters and hiring managers picked analytical skills as the most important hard, transferable skill .

Analytical skills are the ability to use logic, research, and critical thinking to draw informed conclusions and solve problems.

10. Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills , also known as people skills or social skills, are vital for building positive relationships and collaborating effectively with others. These skills encompass the ability to communicate clearly, empathize with others, resolve conflicts diplomatically, and build rapport . Whether interacting with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders, individuals with strong interpersonal skills can foster trust, mutual respect, and cooperation, contributing to a harmonious work environment and achieving common objectives.

11. Emotional intelligence (EQ)

Emotional intelligence , or EQ, isn’t an easy skill to teach, which makes it very valuable.

People with a high level of EQ know how to manage their emotions and are also able to perceive how others are feeling. These qualities make them a great fit for any role, including leadership.

12. Leadership skills

Leadership is a core competency because it’s a combination of all the other transferable skills. Resilience, empathy, and communication are just some of the values that make a good leader . These skills allow you to guide and inspire the people you work with.

13. Time management

Effective time management is crucial for maximizing productivity and achieving goals in both professional and personal contexts. Individuals with strong time management skills can prioritize tasks, set realistic deadlines , and allocate resources efficiently. By organizing their workload and optimizing their use of time, they can meet deadlines, minimize procrastination, and maintain a healthy work-life balance .

14. Project management

Project management skills involve the ability to plan, organize, execute, and oversee projects from inception to completion. Individuals with strong project management skills can define project goals, develop detailed plans, allocate resources, monitor progress, and mitigate risks. By coordinating tasks, managing timelines, and ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, they can drive successful project outcomes and contribute to the achievement of organizational objectives.

15. Relationship building

Relationship-building skills involve the ability to establish and nurture connections with others based on trust, mutual respect, and shared interests. Individuals with strong relationship-building skills can network effectively, forge meaningful connections, and cultivate long-term partnerships. By cultivating rapport with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders, they can enhance teamwork, foster collaboration, and drive shared goals, contributing to personal and professional success.

16. Dependability

Dependability is the reliability and consistency with which individuals fulfill their commitments and obligations. Individuals with strong dependability can be trusted to deliver results, meet deadlines, and follow through on promises. By demonstrating reliability, accountability , and integrity in their actions, they can inspire confidence, build credibility, and earn the trust of others, contributing to a positive reputation and successful outcomes.

17. Written communication

Written communication skills are essential for conveying ideas, information, and messages effectively through written channels such as emails, reports, and documents. Individuals with strong written communication skills can articulate thoughts clearly, concisely, and persuasively, adapting their style and tone to suit the audience and purpose. By communicating with clarity, coherence, and professionalism, they can convey information accurately, facilitate understanding, and achieve desired outcomes.

Why do employers seek transferable skills?

Employers place a lot of value on transferable skills.

Many transferable skills are hard to learn and even harder to teach. So hiring someone with a strong set of existing transferable skills saves employees time and money.

Take the teacher from the previous example. Because they’ve mastered in-demand skills in their previous role, they already have a solid foundation for sales. Once they’re hired, a sales manager can easily teach them the technical side of sales through a training program .

Even if they’re technically qualified for a job, employers may overlook job seekers that lack certain transferable skills.

Transferable skills also show hiring managers you have versatility. Versatility is the ability to perform many roles and tasks within the organization.

How to add transferable skills to your cover letter or resume

Unsure how to show off your transferable skills on a cover letter or resume?

You’re not the only one. In a recent LiveCareer survey, almost 60% of displaced workers admitted they’re not sure how to include transferable skills on their resumes . Here are some helpful tips to help you highlight your talents and land a new job.

Display them prominently

Add your transferable skills in a prominent place. Placing them at the top of your resume in the “Professional Summary” section makes them a focal point for the hiring manager.

woman-using-laptop-on-bed-transferable-skills

Tailor your skills to the role you’re applying for

Don’t clutter your resume with all the transferable skills that come to mind. Only list skills that match the competencies listed in the job description. A common way to showcase them is under a separate “Skills” section.

Show, don’t tell your achievements

Hiring managers want to see results. Show how you’ve used some of these skills to drive results using the challenge-actions-results (CAR) formula.

The CAR method highlights the contributions you’ve made to previous companies. It also shows hiring managers you know how to put your transferable skills to good use.

Be descriptive

Listing “creativity” as a skill on your resume isn't enough. Your employer wants to know more.

Describe what kind of environment you worked in during your previous role. What required you to be creative? What positive impact did your creativity have? The more specific you are, the easier it’ll be for the hiring manager to see if you would fit into their work environment.

Transferable skills give you a competitive edge

Transferable skills are some of the most powerful tools in your arsenal.

These talents and abilities will always be in demand no matter what career path you choose to take. Developing transferable skills makes you a stronger job candidate and a more confident employee.

Start identifying your core transferable skills today. Are there any new skills you’d like to develop? If you need help discovering your strengths and reaching your full potential, BetterUp's personalized support and development can help you get there.

Invest in your career

Get your promotion. Make your career change. Build the future you dream about. And do it faster with a world-class BetterUp Coach by your side.

Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

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How to Land a Tech Job: Top 10 Transferable Skills for Career Changers in 2023

In today’s ever-shifting job market, workers need transferable skills to be able to navigate new opportunities and find career success. While specialized job skills remain valuable, companies are looking for versatile employees with a broad range of transferable skills that can be used across several work domains or departments. 

This article delves into the core concepts of transferable skills, highlighting the top 10 soft skills in tech that can help career changers make an easier transition. We offer tips to help you assess your existing skill set and pinpoint your strengths. These skills can also benefit recent graduates, job seekers, and tech professionals seeking to stay competitive in their current roles. Let’s look at the transferable skills that hold the key to success in today’s job market.

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What are transferable skills.

Transferable skills cover a wide range of abilities that are not tied to a specific job or industry. They are the skills that can be carried with you from one role to another, going beyond the boundaries of job titles and fields. According to a 2023 ZipRecruiter report, 93 percent of employers said that soft skills “play a critical role in their decision” when hiring. This shows that companies want people who can bring a diverse range of job skills to their organizations.

10 Most Essential Transferable Skills for Tech Career Changers

Technical abilities are not the only determining factor when it comes to getting a job in tech. Soft skills matter in tech, too. A diverse set of transferable skills can significantly boost your success and adaptability in the fast-paced tech industry. Below are the ten most valuable transferable skills to have for tech career changers.

1. Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills go hand in hand in the workplace. Analytical thinking is the ability to break down complex problems into smaller parts and understand how they are related. It’s like figuring out how different puzzle pieces fit together to form a clear picture. It involves observing, analyzing, and making logical connections to find a solution.

As a tech professional, analytical thinking skills can help you process information, make decisions, and solve problems by examining the details, understanding their significance, and finding the best way to approach a situation. 

Tech Roles That Require Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

  • Software developer
  • Project manager
  • Data analyst 
  • Quality assurance (QA) engineer
  • Data architect

2. Digital Literacy

Digital literacy refers to the ability to use and understand digital technologies and tools effectively. This transferable skill is the most useful when navigating and understanding the digital world around us. Being digitally literate means knowing how to use software and apps, browse the internet safely, and complete tasks using digital tools. Beyond that, you need to understand concepts like online privacy, cyber security, and ethics. 

This is one of the most important transferable skills to have if you are looking to break into tech. As the industry continues to evolve, businesses value tech-savvy employees who are proficient in using various digital tools, platforms, and technologies. It doesn’t mean that you have to know how to use every software available. It simply means you have the basic knowledge or are willing to learn how to use them effectively.

Tech Roles That Require Digital Literacy

  • Web developer
  • UX/UI designer
  • Technical writer
  • Data scientist
  • Technical support specialist

3. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage our own emotions and the emotions of people around us. It means being aware of how emotions can influence our thoughts and actions. It helps us handle stress, communicate effectively, and build positive relationships with others. It also involves empathy. Emotionally intelligent people consider and respond to emotions with care and understanding.

Some of the best tech roles for people with high emotional intelligence are ones that are user-facing. UI/UX designers , for example, focus on providing the best experience by understanding how users interact, think, respond, and feel. This job skill can help you build better relationships, navigate social situations, and connect with others on a deeper level.

Tech Roles That Require Emotional Intelligence

  • UX designer
  • Product manager
  • Sales development representative
  • Digital marketer

4. Adaptability and Flexibility

The tech industry is a fast-paced environment where changes can happen rapidly. This is why companies need employees that are adaptable to changes and challenges. In a dynamic work environment, being adaptable means quickly adjusting to changes and being open to learning new things. 

Flexibility is also crucial. You may need to take on different roles which require you to step outside of your usual job descriptions temporarily. Being open and flexible shows your employer that you’re a good team player. This transferable skill also comes in handy when dealing with uncertainty. If you are highly adaptable and flexible, you can easily maintain composure and find workable solutions when facing unexpected challenges at work. 

Tech Roles That Require Adaptability and Flexibility

  • Game developer
  • Computer programmer
  • DevOps engineer

5. Critical Thinking

Businesses often deal with challenges that require unique solutions. Critical thinking involves logical reasoning, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box to solve problems. It means not just accepting things at face value but digging deeper to understand the issue and find relevant connections. Critical thinkers are usually curious and inquisitive.

In the workplace, critical thinking is highly valued by employers since it leads to better problem-solving and more effective decision-making. This job skill demonstrates your ability to approach problems with a strategic mindset, which can help contribute towards the organization’s success and overall growth. 

Tech Roles That Require Critical Thinking Skills

  • Cyber security specialist
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) engineer
  • Software engineer

6. Communication

Communication skills refer to the ability to convey and exchange information, ideas, and feelings effectively with colleagues, supervisors, and clients. Communication extends beyond active listening and speaking. It is also conveyed through body language, facial expressions, and gestures. 

In the workplace, effective communication is important on all levels. As a tech professional, you may be required to work on a team, so being able to communicate clearly and effectively can help you achieve your goals better collectively. If you are a part of management, creating a clear flow of communication can significantly increase productivity and boost team morale. 

Tech Roles That Require Communication Skills

  • Web designer
  • Sales representative
  • Senior software engineer

7. Collaboration and Teamwork

Teamwork skills in the workplace refer to the ability to collaborate effectively to achieve shared objectives. It involves working well together, combining individual strengths, and supporting each other’s contributions to accomplish tasks. Collaborative teamwork allows you to maximize the diverse skills and perspectives of team members, leading to more creative solutions.

A huge part of working in tech requires collaboration. Being a good team player allows you to work seamlessly with others toward achieving one common goal. In situations where conflicts are present, team players are able to find common ground and resolve the issues efficiently. It also creates a positive work environment with improved pace and higher productivity. 

Tech Roles That Require Collaboration and Teamwork Skills

  • Game designer

8. Time Management

Time management is an essential transferable skill, especially in the age of remote working and flexible schedules. It refers to the ability to prioritize tasks, use time efficiently, and organize work to achieve goals in a timely manner. It involves being disciplined and strategic in managing your time and resources.

Another perk of being efficient with your time is that you’ll face fewer stressful situations at work. For example, prioritizing bigger tasks may help you focus better and deliver the best results in advance of deadlines. If you need help improving your time management skills, you can use apps like Todoist, Memorigi, or Trello to help you track your activities better.  

Tech Roles That Require Time Management Skills

  • Enterprise architect
  • Technical team leader

9. Attention to Detail

Attention to detail refers to the ability to be thorough and meticulous in your work. It involves being observant and paying attention to every detail so that you can avoid any oversights. Beyond that, it also means maintaining a consistent level of quality in all aspects of your work.

Detail-oriented people make ideal tech employees because they strive to ensure accuracy and precision in every task. This indicates to employers that they will produce high-quality work and reduce the risk of errors. Attention to detail not only contributes to a company’s success but also helps instill confidence in both colleagues and clients.

Tech Roles That Require Attention to Detail 

  • QA engineer
  • Data analyst
  • UX researcher
  • Computer hardware engineer

10. Leadership and Management

Leadership skills do not only apply to those holding managerial positions. Effective leaders

have great decision-making capabilities, but they also set a positive example, motivate team members, and foster a collaborative work environment. Another leadership skill is taking accountability for your actions, tasks, and outcomes, whether or not they’re positive. 

Effective leadership is an important job skill that can improve team morale and performance and drive organizational success. Leaders who possess these skills can foster a sense of purpose and engagement among their team members, leading to higher job satisfaction. 

Tech Roles That Require Leadership and Management Skills

  • Chief innovation officer
  • Digital marketing manager

How to Identify Your Transferable Skills in 3 Easy Steps

Identifying your transferable skills is a crucial step in recognizing the value you can bring to various roles and industries. By understanding your strengths, you can effectively identify what you can bring to the table, how you can contribute, and why employers should hire you. Below are three steps to help you identify your transferable skills. 

Step 1: Do Some Self-Reflection and Inventory Your Skills

Take some time for self-reflection and conduct a comprehensive skill inventory. Consider your previous work experiences, education, hobbies, and personal achievements. Even if they seem irrelevant to the job you’re applying for, start easy and make a list that answers the following questions:

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  • What activities do I enjoy doing and what skills do they involve?
  • What responsibilities have I held in my previous roles and what job skills were required to excel in those positions?
  • What tasks am I great at and what skills come into play there?
  • Have I participated in extracurricular activities that developed specific skills?
  • What feedback have I received from colleagues or supervisors about my strengths?

Step 2: Analyze Job Descriptions and Industry Requirements

Look at job descriptions and industry requirements for the roles you are interested in pursuing. You can use online job search platforms or look at individual company postings. Analyze multiple job postings for the same role and identify the specific job skills that employers want in those positions. Pay attention to the keywords and see if there is a match for your target job from your existing transferable skills.

Step 3: Connect the Dots and Update Your Resume

Once you have made the connection between your existing skills and the skills sought by target employers, you will need to update your resume. Highlight the transferable skills that align the most with the requirements of the roles you are applying for. Prioritize these skills based on their relevance and importance for your career goals. If you’re still unsure, you can seek feedback from colleagues or career counselors who can help you validate your list of transferable skills.

How to Highlight Transferable Skills on Your Resume

Highlighting transferable skills on your resume is essential for showcasing your versatility, especially if you are a career changer. It can demonstrate how well-suited you are for a new role or industry, regardless of experience. Here are some tips to effectively showcase your job skills:

  • Identify transferable skills . Find commonalities between your previous position and the one you’re applying for.
  • Analyze the job requirements. Check if you qualify for the role and if it matches your goals and interests. 
  • Create a skills section. Dedicate a specific section of your resume to highlighting transferable skills with bullet points. 
  • Highlight relevant projects. Include examples of projects and accomplishments that demonstrate these skills.
  • Include a cover letter. Use concise and concrete examples to illustrate how your transferable skills came into play in a previous position.

Leverage Your Transferable Skills to Break Into Tech

Having a strong set of transferable skills can significantly enhance your career opportunities. As the job market continues to evolve, people with versatile job skills are better equipped to adapt to new challenges and succeed in their careers. While technical skills are still needed, these soft skills in tech can help you stay relevant and competitive in the modern workplace.

Note that transferable skills also include qualities like adaptability, emotional intelligence, and leadership, which are highly valuable in any career. By identifying and understanding your transferable skills, you’ll be able to showcase your unique value to potential employers and pursue new opportunities with confidence. 

Transferable Skills FAQ

The skills you need to break into tech depend on your career path. The most common skill for IT professionals is coding. However, there are also tech jobs that don’t require coding. Regardless of your path, it can be beneficial to have transferable skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability. These skills are highly valued by employers across industries.

Technical skills and transferable skills are two distinct types of job skills. Technical skills are hard skills that are required to perform specific technical tasks. An example of this is creating software using Java. Meanwhile, transferable skills are versatile abilities that are not job-specific. Examples include problem-solving and communication skills.

The easiest tech positions to get into for career changers depend on their existing skills, background, and interests. Some tech positions that are relatively accessible to career changers include QA testers, technical writers, UX researchers, and IT help desk specialists. These roles don’t require high-level programming, making them relatively easier to explore. 

The time it takes to transition into the tech industry can vary widely depending on your starting point, career goals, and background. Some have successfully transitioned into tech within a few months of completing a coding bootcamp , while others might take up to three years or more to establish themselves in a new tech role. 

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25 Transferable Skills Employers Look For

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What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills combine competencies, knowledge and skills that you have gained from the workplace during your career path, from school, internships or elsewhere and take with you to your next employment or career change.

General skills that can be used in different employment roles come under the transferable skills banner; they can be used in various industries and in roles at other seniority levels.

These can be hard skills – technical knowledge like using specific software – and soft skills, the competencies and abilities that are harder to be taught, like active listening and communication.

The top transferable skills that employers value include:

  • Communication
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Dependability
  • Organisation
  • Active listening skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Relationship building
  • Team management
  • Adaptability
  • Analytical skills

Finding the right way to describe your transferable skills in your CV during your job search will demonstrate to potential employers that you can bring the competencies and abilities that are needed for success in the role you are applying for.

Transferable Skills

Tools You’ll Need to Adapt to Any Job

Communication, problem solving and teamwork are all examples of transferable job skills because they can be used in any employed role, your education or vocational training.

As such, it is important that job seekers emphasise their transferable skills within their application documents and during a job interview.

These skills can go a long way to persuading a potential employer that you are the perfect fit for their company, even if you don’t necessarily have the experience.

Transferable skills are the tools you’ll need to adapt to any new job.

List of 20 Transferable Soft Skills for Your CV

There are so many skills that could be considered transferable, even specific software skills, that it would be impossible to list every single one in this article, but there are several that are useful for many different roles.

To decide on the ones to include in your CV, you will need to see exactly what the recruiter is looking for in a candidate.

You can do this by looking at the required skills section of the job description, and highlighting your matching skills when you apply.

1. Leadership

Effective leadership involves taking charge and motivating others to achieve specific goals on an individual, team and company level.

Possessing leadership skills will mean that you can effectively manage groups and delegate responsibilities, plan and coordinate a variety of tasks, solve problems and resolve conflict, make and implement decisions, and coach others.

These skills don’t necessarily have to be workplace-related. They can be acquired through a group project at university, a period of work experience or time spent carrying out voluntary work.

2. Problem-Solving

Every business encounters issues, and if you can demonstrate your ability to solve problems, this will be a major bonus for your application.

Some problems are easier to solve than others, and often they relate to the achievement of goals and the barriers that prevent these goals from being achieved.

Problem-solving skills can also include understanding when to ask for help and getting others with different perspectives on board to take on the challenge.

3. Teamwork

Collaborative working is a must for any organisation. Employers want to see their staff work together toward achieving common goals.

Effective teamwork involves sharing credit and accepting responsibility for your own work, being receptive to the ideas and suggestions of your colleagues, building rapport with staff across all areas of the business and establishing effective communication channels to avoid duplicated work, mistakes or other problems.

4. Active Listening

Really listening to other people is a soft skill that is important in every industry, whether you are dealing with customers, clients or fellow employees.

Active listening includes recognizing body language and non-verbal cues, listening to understand and empathizing with the person you are having a conversation with.

This competency is a popular choice of transferable skills in different job descriptions.

5. Data Analysis

Being able to analyse data is a key task in many different businesses.

From identifying patterns to understanding customer metrics, the ability to evaluate information effectively will contribute in some way to the business.

The complexity of this analysis will depend on the company and the specific role, but an aptitude for interpreting information, extracting results and developing reports is a valuable transferable skill.

An employee should be able to use databases to collect data, analyze it and then interpret the information they have collected.

Data collection and analysis is relevant to many different roles, from finance and IT through to marketing and sales.

6. Communication Skills

Being able to communicate well is perhaps one of the most basic employability skills.

Verbal communication is about communicating clearly and concisely with others, whether it is a customer or colleague.

In the world of work, you will be required to present information to a range of audiences both inside and outside the business. Not all these people will understand your work, so being able to communicate with clarity and articulating your ideas in a logical, organized and effective way is important.

7. Time Management and Organisation

Time management is a way in which you organize and plan your time to carry out specific activities.

Effective time management boosts productivity, meaning that you can complete more work in less time, even when you are working under pressure.

Good time management is about planning your day, minimizing distractions and carrying out regular reviews to make sure that you are making progress.

A significant factor in time management is prioritization, and it is only with practice that you can learn to prioritize your tasks more effectively, focusing on the most urgent tasks rather than less important activities.

8. Work Ethic and Dependability

Having a strong work ethic is often part of your own values. It is based on a personal understanding of taking pride in your work because you want to, rather than the rewards that you may receive.

Demonstrating a positive approach to work and being honest – as well as taking initiative and caring about your co-workers – are all factors that convey a strong work ethic.

In addition, learning new skills, showing a commitment to your employer and being responsible for your own work even when things don’t go as you planned all illustrate a good work ethic.

9. Commercial Awareness

Showing that you understand the marketplace in which your employer operates, as well as knowing what makes a business successful, is a key requirement in many jobs and even more important when applying for graduate vacancies.

Once appointed, you will be able to offer a more tailored level of customer service and support the business better if you demonstrate keen commercial awareness.

This could include:

  • Fully understanding the company’s mission and aims
  • Demonstrating your knowledge of the sector and your awareness of the economic and political issues that affect the business
  • Knowing who the major competitors are
  • Understanding the commercial priorities of the business

Your commercial knowledge will come from roles in the same industry or one that is similar, and can also come from education settings, too.

10. Team Management

More than just leading people, team management is a skill that can help build and maintain relationships in the workplace.

Effective team management inspires direct reports and ensures that you can deal with problems in the team as they occur.

A well-managed team works well with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which leads to more accountability, more productivity and ultimately more profit for the company.

11. Interpersonal Skills

A combination of listening and communication skills, interpersonal skills are important for productivity, for connecting with customers and clients, and for leading people.

Interpersonal skills are the driving force behind any team, and candidates with good interpersonal skills will usually be well-regarded by their peers and able to work with people from many different backgrounds. They will be comfortable dealing with top management and with entry-level colleagues.

12. Critical Thinking

Solving a work-related problem, or even a personal one, needs some form of critical thinking to solve it. Critical thinking skills mean thinking outside the box, taking other perspectives into account, and working out the best course of action to take.

Critical thinking skills can come from all sorts of experience, from analysing texts at university to solving problems at your current place of employment, and the structure of thinking is the same wherever you are applying it.

13. Decision-Making

When someone must make a decision, it often falls to those who have the right skills to make the difficult choices.

Decision-making skills are related to critical thinking and problem solving, taking the next step in the process to actually make a change through a decision.

People who are good at making decisions have logically gone through the problem and thought critically about the possible solutions.

14. Conflict Resolution

Most often needed at a management or leadership level, the ability to deal with conflict and work towards a resolution is a critical skill in service industries but also in the workplace itself.

Conflict can happen when a customer is unhappy with a product or service, but it can also happen in the best employee teams. Conflict resolution skills are necessary to ensure that small problems are dealt with quickly so that they don’t snowball – but they are also needed if things get out of hand.

Good conflict resolution skills means taking opposing opinions and thoughts and finding a workable compromise so that all parties feel that they have been listened to, that they matter and so that the problem can be solved as much as possible.

15. Project Management

Aside from the technical skills that go into managing a project, there are soft skills in taking a project and ensuring that it is completed.

Project management skills include being able to work with a team, provide leadership, delegate and deliver feedback. They need to be organised and have a strong work ethic, able to solve problems and make decisions so that the project is delivered as promised, on time and without going over the budget.

16. Public Speaking

Whether you have done a presentation at university, become a speaker at a local group or have performed Shakespeare at an am-dram theatre group, you will have completed some public speaking.

The ability to keep the attention of a group of people and deliver information in an interesting way is what public speaking is all about.

This skill is useful in all sorts of ways, from delivering updates to the management team to selling products or services at industry conferences.

17. Creativity

If you have creative skills, whether that is in art, design, writing or marketing, these can be transferred to other roles across many industries.

Creativity is all about the flow of ideas, using your imagination and trying new things – and this is a skill that is required in many jobs, not just the obvious marketing or graphic design roles.

18. Attention to Detail

Creating error-free work is important in many industries, so an eye for detail is a skill that you can use in almost all job applications.

Candidates with attention to detail will have the ability to spot errors in their own work (and in the work of others), which can save costly mistakes and ensure that all output is completed to the highest standards – whether that is creating invoices and balancing accounts or crafting documents and websites.

19. Relationship Building

Some people have natural networking skills and can ‘work a room’ to make connections and build relationships.

While this is a skill that might be most relevant in a sales role, relationship building is an essential skill when dealing with customers and clients, with direct reports in the team and when reporting to executives and managers.

Relationship building skills allow candidates to demonstrate that they can communicate, negotiate and listen appropriately to form working relationships that benefit the company.

20. Giving Feedback

This soft skill might be considered to be more appropriate for roles like team leader or manager, but the ability to give good, constructive feedback is important in most roles.

Giving feedback is not about being kind, or not telling people bad news, but about phrasing responses to ensure that there can be a positive outcome. This might mean stating that something isn’t working but offering ideas to improve.

Not all feedback needs to be negative; there is some skill needed to give valuable positive feedback in the right way too.

Top 5 Transferable Hard Skills for Your CV

Hard skills are the abilities that you will have learned through study, certification or experience in other roles.

They are often related to technical knowledge about a particular subject.

1. Microsoft Office

Across all industries, the Microsoft Office suite of programs is still one of the most popular choices for office-related creations – and it doesn’t change.

Learning to use the different software and features of Office will give you easily transferable skills in creating documents and slideshows, and confidently using spreadsheets and databases.

In a similar way to Office, Adobe is the standard software used in the creative industries.

If you have experience or even qualifications in using Premiere Pro and Photoshop, you will find it easy to transfer that knowledge into a new role that needs those skills.

3. Programming

Coding languages are fixed, and having skill in using one (or more) is necessary for most developer roles, but also for IT, data analysis and even some engineering roles.

Some of the more popular languages that you might have skills in include:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is used in many different industries, and although there are different publishers of programs designed to make managing customer data simple, they all work in a similar way.

Working knowledge and skills in using one type of CRM can be listed as a directly transferable skill if the company you are applying for uses the same software, and even if they don’t.

4. Marketing

Marketing skills, especially using social media, are transferable. Hard skills in marketing include understanding SEO, applying analytics and creating and implementing advertising strategies.

Marketing skills are easy to transfer between different roles and even different industries for candidates who have the right level of competency and can work with different products, services and demographics.

Writing skills are important in terms of general communication, but you can also get more specific writing skills like technical writing (for instruction manuals or product descriptions) and copywriting (for selling products or services).

If you have skills with the written word, you will find that this is something that can be useful across several industries and in many different types of roles.

The Importance of Transferable Skills

If you want to secure a new employment opportunity, you are going to have to demonstrate a specific set of skills needed for the role.

Some of these skills will be specific to the industry, while others (transferable skills) are those that you can build on and develop throughout your career.

Transferable skills tend to bring the following benefits for candidates and employers:

  • Flexibility – In an increasingly competitive job market, companies want to recruit employees who can diversify and complete multiple tasks and roles. When you have a diverse skill set, this will set you apart from the other applicants and shows you have greater flexibility.
  • Diversity – The more transferable skills you have, the more diversity you can offer to a potential employer. The experiences that you have had during your studies, work experience or academic projects have all allowed you to develop a range of skills, many of which can be put to good use in any role.
  • Portability – The nature of transferable skills means they can be taken with you when you move jobs. As you progress, the skills that you currently have will improve and you will also gain new ones too.
  • Employability – Even if you have very little work experience, building a strong CV around your transferable skills will strengthen your chances of success. Although you may not have direct work experience, these transferable skills will demonstrate that you can adapt to new demands.

Emphasising Transferable Skills in Your CV or Interview

Once you have identified which transferable skills you have that match the requirements of the role you are applying for, ensure that you incorporate them into your CV and cover letter.

If you have very little work experience, then a functional CV focused on your skills rather than your experience would be more effective.

Demonstrate how you used your skills in a specific scenario – giving a brief synopsis of the situation, what you did and the outcome.

Try to make your CV achievements-focused.

Strategically place transferable skills throughout your CV, including in a brief professional summary section that describes you, your skills and your qualities in about six to seven lines at the top of the CV.

This is designed to catch the attention of the recruiter and encourage them to read further.

When it comes to the interview, you can expand on your CV in more detail, providing specific examples of when you demonstrated commercial awareness or solved a problem.

It’s one thing saying that you have a specific skill – demonstrating that you can use it effectively is another.

Final Thoughts

Transferable skills can be learned in school, when working towards a degree and, in some cases, through personal experience, as well as in different workplaces.

Transferable skills can include soft skills like communication, leadership and teamwork, but they can also include hard skills like knowledge of different software and proficiency in coding languages.

Knowing the skills you already have and can transfer to a new role will help you craft a strong CV that demonstrates you have the knowledge, competencies and abilities that match the requirements of the advertised job. It makes you a strong candidate who is more likely to be taken further in the recruitment process.

This article first appeared on WikiJob .

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  • 5 In-Demand Transferable Skills to Help You Land Your Next Job

Author Dr. Ciera Graham-Graves

If the pandemic and “Great Resignation” have caused you to reevaluate your work, you may wonder if you have what it takes to transition to a new role or career. The answer likely depends on your transferable skills.

Transferable skills are a combination of hard and soft skills that apply to different jobs. Hard skills are technical skills like coding or search engine optimization (SEO) and often require specialized training. Soft skills are broader and focused on interpersonal traits like leadership, creativity and emotional intelligence.

While everyone has some transferable skills, there are specific skillsets employers value more than others. As a career coach with more than 10 years of experience who has helped professionals discover and market their skills, here are 5 in-demand transferable skills and tips on how to use them to land your next job. 

1. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills are analytical or problem-solving skills. Learning to analyze problems without the interference of personal bias, emotions or assumptions is a key part of critical thinking. Good critical thinkers can thoroughly define a problem and then evaluate and implement the best solution.

Here are some steps you can take to improve your critical thinking skills:

  • Participate in team-building exercises.
  • Improve your analytical skills by taking a math class or playing brain games.
  • Actively volunteer to solve problems. Develop solutions to processes that stifle efficiency or communication.

How do you showcase critical thinking skills as a job seeker?

If you’ve ever improved a process or procedure, highlight how you evaluated the problem and implemented a solution. Be sure to explain how your solution benefited your employer.

2. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the use of databases, networks, software, artificial intelligence and more over the internet. Strong cloud computing skills can help you become more flexible, adaptable and collaborative. Cloud computing often requires learning how to collaborate on projects with team members who have irregular hours in different locations — creating more flexible and agile employees who can respond to competing demands. Employing workers skilled in cloud computing also allows organizations to lower operating costs, scale their business and increase data security.

To gain cloud computing skills, consider using any of these resources:

  • Increase your knowledge in programming languages through the UW Certificate in Python Programming or the  UW Certificate in C++ Programming .
  • Stay abreast of threats to data security through programs like the  UW Certificate in Cybersecurity Risk Management .

How do you showcase cloud computing skills as a job seeker?

In your cover letter and interview, provide examples of when you have used cloud computing in an organization to scale or improve efficiencies. You’ll also want to showcase your knowledge of any programming languages and databases.

3. Data Literacy

Data literacy skills are essential for many jobs, from business and technology to education. Business leaders predict that data literacy will be the most in-demand skill by 2030 . Data literacy involves understanding qualitative and quantitative data, answering questions and developing solutions from the data.

Additionally, you need to know how to interpret or distinguish the reputability of data sources. In a world where humans are inundated with lots of information, being able to distinguish facts from fiction is critical.

To gain data literacy skills, consider the following strategies:

  • Ask questions about data to continue to build your reasoning skills
  • Take a course on research methods that focuses on qualitative or quantitative methods
  • Expand your knowledge of data analysis tools like SPSS

You can also explore one of the many UW certificates or courses in data analytics , including  Foundations of Data Analysis , Data Science Foundations  or  Data Visualization Essentials With Power BI .

How do you showcase data literacy skills as a job seeker ?

List any technical skills and proficiencies in data literacy software you have. Provide examples of how you have used data to find and implement solutions.

In an interview, demonstrate your proficiencies in understanding different data types (qualitative vs. numerical) and how you have communicated data to people in an organization.

4. User Experience (UX)

User Experience refers to how a user experiences a product, system or service. Employers are eager to hire workers with excellent wireframing and prototyping, UX writing, visual communication and user testing skills as they strive to define a great user experience for their customers.

To gain or redefine your user experience skills, consider some of these options:

  • Complete the UW Certificate in UX & Visual Interface Design  or the  Foundations in UX Writing  course.
  • Visit usability testing sessions to understand how users interact with a product. The more you watch people use a product, the more you understand their problems.

How do you showcase user experience as a job seeker?

Include any UX courses, training or certifications on your resume. In the cover letter and interview, provide specific examples of how you helped improve the user experience for customers. Showing an employer that you possess excellent problem-solving and collaboration skills is vital to being a great UX designer.

5. Emotional Intelligence

According to Business News Daily, emotional intelligence accounts for twice as much as IQ and technical skills combined when determining who will be a top performer in the workplace. Professionals who can respectfully express their emotions and not let them interfere or impact objectivity are known to have high emotional intelligence.

What’s more, the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs  report says that emotional intelligence is among the 10 most in-demand skills and will continue to be through at least 2025.

To enhance or build your emotional intelligence skills, consider doing the following:

  • Build your self-awareness by practicing mindfulness activities
  • Try positively expressing your feelings by going to counseling or journaling
  • Be aware of your emotional triggers by noting what situations induce or produce emotions, especially negative ones

How do you showcase emotional intelligence as a job seeker?

In an interview, the best way to showcase emotional intelligence is by using the STAR method. Provide examples of how you helped solve a disagreement or conflict on a team.

In an increasingly competitive economy, you must commit to upskilling and reskilling. As our economy continues to grow and evolve, gaining transferable skills is a way to ensure you remain marketable.

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For more career tips and industry trends,  visit the News & Features section  of our website, and subscribe to our email list. To learn more about UW Professional & Continuing Education certificates, specializations, degrees and courses,  explore your options  or contact us .

Author Dr. Ciera Graham-Graves

Dr. Ciera Graham-Graves

Guest writer Dr. Ciera Graham-Graves  has 12 years of experience as a higher education administrator. She enjoys writing on issues pertaining to the challenges impacting women and ethnic minorities in the workplace. She is a past career columnist for the Seattle Times and the Everett Herald, and a current editorial contributor to Career Contessa and Best Colleges. 

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The 12 transferable skills, from unicef’s conceptual and programmatic framework.

Nina Py Brozovich, 17 years-old, Bolivia, student: "Nature does not need us, we are the ones who need it and we are damaging it".

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From a holistic approach, this synthesis presents the 12 transferable skills based on four dimensions:

  • The cognitive dimension (learning to know) includes learning skills such as creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • The instrumental dimension (learning to do) includes skills for employability such as cooperation, negotiation and decision making.
  • The individual dimension (learning to be) includes personal skills such as self-management, resilience and communication.
  • The social dimension (learning to live together) includes skills for active citizenship such as respect for diversity, empathy and participation.

Nina Py Brozovich, 17 years-old, Bolivia, student: "Nature does not need us, we are the ones who need it and we are damaging it".

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Plan 12 - Learn to transform

A plan created by and for young people to develop and put into practice 12 transferable skills for today's changing world.

Transferable Skills Development

Discussion Paper

Mission #11 - Participation

Mission #12 - communication.

Critical Thinking

Follow the arrows below to find articles and on-demand courses that will help you learn how to understand the logical connections between ideas, self-reflect, and keep an open mind to new information..

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Click Here to View the Transferable Skills Library

This page is 1 of 20 skills in the entire library.

Gain Experience

Practice will help take what you learn here to the next level

Gain experience by volunteering for a role in a  Staff Organization  or a  Community of Practice  or taking on stretch assignments.

For more information on what you need for a specific job please visit the  UCB Job Builder .

Identify Job Requirements Beyond Skills

While these are the most transferable skills across all unrepresented job standards at UCB, each job is unique and a mastery of transferbale skills alone is often not enough to transition to a different job.

Plan for the Next Job

Use this  worksheet (PDF file)  to identify your current skills, assess the skills you need for your next position, and plan for how to develop them.

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Visit the  Grow Your Career  site for resources to navigate your career path- such as career development workshops, appointments with a career coach on campus, and more.

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Visit the Learning and Events Calendar  to find a beneficial workshop, or class.

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25 Best Transferable Skills for Teachers & How to Highlight Them on a Resume (2024)

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If you’re hoping to find transferable skills for teachers, you’ve come to the right place!

At the Tutor Resource, we have a background in both teaching and Human Resources, so we know what it takes to switch careers successfully. For many teachers, the idea of leaving the classroom can be daunting.

However, there are many transferable skills teachers develop throughout their careers that can be applied to a variety of different professions.

Transferable skills for teachers can be divided into five basic categories: Management and Leadership, Communication and Education, Analysis and Organization, Personal and Emotion, and Marketing and Technical.

In this article, we’ll discuss the skills in each category in detail as well as offer tips on how to highlight them on your resume when you are applying for jobs in other fields.

Let’s get started!

Recognizing Your Transferable Skills as Teachers

Transferable skills, as the term implies, are versatile abilities that can be applied to different jobs, regardless of the industry. Recognizing and harnessing the potential of these skills is crucial for advancing your career.

As an educator, you possess a wealth of these skills, honed through experience in the classroom. The beauty of these skills lies in their broad applicability across various professional domains.

The key is to identify which teaching skills are transferable, understand their transferability, and effectively articulate them when venturing into new careers. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to begin, fear not, because in this article we’ll help you do just that!

Black female teacher with glasses pointing at printouts on a bulletin board while holding an open notebook in her other hand, demonstrating her transferable skills for teachers.

Transferable Skills for Teachers: Management & Leadership

These transferable skills for teachers’ resumes are crucial for those in a management role or leadership position. They involve decision-making, resource allocation, resolving conflicts, and working effectively within a team .

1. Classroom Management

Teachers are experts in managing a group of people, often of very different ages and abilities. This skill can be applied to any work environment where teamwork and collaboration are necessary.

✔️ Tip: Use examples of managing large groups of students in your resume and highlight your ability to navigate different personalities and needs.

2. Leadership

Teachers embody the role of a leader each day. They oversee classroom activities, guide students, and foster an environment conducive to learning.

✔️ Tip: Highlight this skill on your resume by providing examples of leadership initiatives or projects.

3. Budgeting

Teachers are often entrusted with the task of managing budgets for their classes or school projects. This skill translates seamlessly into roles that require financial planning and cost management.

✔️ Tip: Articulate this by sharing examples of successful budget management in your teaching career.

4. Conflict Resolution

Conflict Management: Teachers have to be able to manage conflicts that arise in the classroom and among colleagues. This skill is highly valued in any profession where conflict management is important.

✔️ Tip : Highlight your experience with conflict management in your resume and provide specific examples of successful outcomes.

5. Teamwork

Collaborating with colleagues, parents, and administrators is key to education. Teachers excel at this skill.

Building relationships and having open communication is essential to creating a successful teaching environment. They also help develop trust, foster engagement, and maneuver through challenging moments.

✔️ Tip : On resumes, describe team projects or collaborative initiatives in which you’ve participated.

Transferable Skills for Teachers: Communication & Education

These transferable skills for teachers examples focus on effective information exchange, whether it’s in a one-on-one conversation, speaking to a large group, or teaching and developing an engaging curriculum.

6. Communication

Effective communication is a core skill for teachers. They must convey complex concepts in a digestible way to students , keep parents informed, and liaise with colleagues.

✔️ Tip : Highlight this skill by mentioning communication channels you’ve used effectively or praise you’ve received for your communication skills.

7. Public Speaking

Teachers are required to speak publicly in front of students , parents, and colleagues, which is an important skill in any profession where public speaking is valued.

✔️ Tip : Provide specific examples of successful presentations or speeches, including teacher in-service and professional development trainings, and how many times a day or week you speak in front of groups of students.

8. Teaching/Training

It may seem obvious, but the ability to teach or train others is a versatile teacher skill desired by many employers. It’s actually one of the primary transferable skills from teaching to Human Resources!

Whether it is teaching a foreign language or providing training to new employees, the ability to teach and train others will provide you with more options when it comes to employment.

✔️ Tip : Highlight this by detailing specific training initiatives you’ve led, or how your teaching improved someone’s skills or knowledge.

9. Curriculum Development

Teachers are experts in instructional design, developing curriculum, and lesson plans that meet the needs of diverse learners. This skill is highly valued in any profession where curriculum development is important.

✔️ Tip : Highlight your experience with curriculum development in your resume and provide specific examples of successful outcomes.

Transferable Skills for Teachers: Analytical and Critical Thinking

These skills are necessary for managing multiple tasks at once, managing time effectively, interpreting data, keeping things organized, and managing inventory.

10. Multitasking

Teachers juggle a diverse range of tasks simultaneously – from lesson planning to addressing individual student needs and administrative work.

✔️ Tip: Showcase this skill by describing situations where you efficiently managed multiple tasks.

11. Time Management

Teaching requires excellent time management, and this skill is invaluable in every industry.

Teachers are expected to be on time for classes and meetings, and this skill is highly valued in any profession where punctuality is important.

✔️ Tip: Detail examples of how you have successfully handled multiple responsibilities within strict deadlines. Mention your ability to always be on time and provide examples of your reliability in your resume.

12. Data Analysis

Teachers regularly collect, analyze, and interpret data to track student progress and inform instructional decision-making. This skill is highly valued in any profession where data analysis is a key component of the role.

✔️ Tip: Mention your experience with data analysis in your resume and provide specific examples of how you have used data to inform decision-making.

13. Organizational Skills

Teachers have to be highly organized to keep track of lessons, assignments, and grades, which is a useful skill in any profession where organization is important.

✔️ Tip: Highlight your organizational skills in your resume and provide specific examples of how you have used them to stay on top of a hectic workload.

14. Inventory Management

Teachers often have to manage classroom inventories, from textbooks to art supplies. This skill is highly valued in any profession where inventory management is important.

✔️ Tip: Mention your experience with inventory management in your resume and provide specific examples of successful outcomes.

15. Critical Thinking

Teachers employ critical thinking on a daily basis, skillfully addressing challenges and crafting impactful lesson plans.

The ability to think critically is indispensable for resolving classroom issues, and highly sought-after in professions that value problem solving skills.

✔️ Tip: Highlight your problem-solving expertise, including successful outcomes through concrete examples, demonstrating the ability to assess situations swiftly, and devising effective solutions.

Transferable Skills for Teachers: Personal & Emotional

These teacher skills involve personal attributes and emotional understanding, which are important in handling different situations with positivity, adaptability, self-awareness, understanding others’ emotions, and patience.

16. Enthusiasm

Teachers often bring passion and energy to their work, which can be a valuable asset in any profession. A teacher’s enthusiasm can be the driving force behind student engagement.

✔️ Tip: Mention your enthusiasm for your work in your cover letter (and your interviews), especially in positions where a positive attitude is important.

17. Flexibility

Teachers must adapt to changes in curriculum , student needs, and educational policies, demonstrating flexibility. Classrooms always seem to have new dynamics and different learning styles, too.

✔️ Tip: Highlight your ability to adapt to new situations. Emphasize this skill by illustrating how you have adapted to changes in your teaching environment for your students’ benefit.

18. Reflectiveness

Teachers continuously reflect on their performance to refine their teaching methods. This skill indicates continual professional growth and self-improvement, both of which are desirable across various industries.

✔️ Tip: Discuss how self-evaluation and subsequent adjustment of tactics has led to improved outcomes.

19. Emotional Intelligence

Teaching requires a deep understanding of emotional intelligence to navigate student needs and foster a conducive learning environment.

Teachers have to have empathy for their students to be able to understand their needs and adapt their teaching methods. This skill is highly valued in any profession where empathy is important.

✔️ Tip: Include this skill in your applications and in your cover letters to indicate your ability to work well with others, manage conflicts, and empathize with your team.

20. Patience

Teachers have to be patient with their students to help them learn and grow. This skill is highly valued in any profession where patience is important.

✔️ Tip: Mention your ability to be patient in your resume, especially in positions where patience is highly valued.

Transferable Skills for Teachers: Marketing & Technical

These teaching skills are important for promoting a product or service, raising funds, using computer systems, maintaining a strong work ethic, and adapting to new technologies or environments.

21. Promotions

Teachers often have to market their classrooms to parents or other stakeholders to encourage buy-in. This skill is highly valued in any profession where promotional skills are important.

✔️ Tip: Mention your work experience with marketing in your resume and provide specific examples of successful outcomes.

22. Fundraising

Teachers often have to fundraise for classroom needs or activities. This skill is highly valued in any profession where fundraising skills are important.

✔️ Tip: Highlight your experience with fundraising in your resume and provide specific examples of successful outcomes.

23. Technology and Computers

Teachers are often required to use a range of technology in their teaching, which can be highly valuable in any profession where technical skills are important. If you want transferable skills from teaching to tech roles, then be sure to showcase your computer knowledge.

✔️ Tip: Highlight your technical skills in your resume and provide specific examples of success with technology in your teaching.

24. Work Ethic

Teachers are often required to work long hours and go above and beyond for their students, which is a highly valued skill in any profession.

✔️ Tip: Mention your strong work ethic in your resume and provide specific examples of going above and beyond to achieve a goal.

25. Adaptability

Changing curriculum, diverse classrooms, and varying teaching environments require a high degree of adaptability from teachers.

✔️ Tip: Showcase this proven adaptability on your resume by listing instances where you adjusted your teaching style or curriculum delivery to suit different situations.

Showcasing Your Transferable Teaching Skills on Resumes

Teachers wield a diverse skill set that they may not even realize. To make these skills stand out on your resume, include a dedicated “Skills” section. With each skill you list, provide examples or data to support your claims.

Remember that the most important thing is to tailor your resume to the job description. Draw parallels between your skills as a teacher and the requirements of the job to which you’re applying.

Highlighting these transferable skills effectively can significantly boost your application’s success. Why not try teaching transferable skills to students to share your learnings from this article with them?!

Final Thoughts on Transferable Skills for Teachers

This thoroughly explores the wide range of transferable skills that teachers develop throughout their careers. If you’re leaving teaching transferable skills are vital.

Teachers naturally cultivate a diverse set of both soft and technical transferable skills, which make them valuable candidates for different career transitions.

Effectively acquiring and showcasing these skills on a resume or CV can significantly enhance a teacher’s prospects when applying for jobs in various fields.

At Tutor Resource, we blend our rich background in teaching and Human Resources to offer you the best guidance for a seamless career switch.

Successfully transitioning to a new career path doesn’t have to be daunting. It’s all about identifying and highlighting your transferable skills. You can do this!

Transferable Skills for Teachers FAQs

Do you still have questions about teacher resume skills? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are abilities or proficiencies that you can apply across various job roles and industries. Typically, they are not industry-specific and can be gained through any life experience, personal, academic, or professional. These skills, such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking, can significantly boost your employability in different fields.

Why are transferable skills important in teaching?

Transferable skills developed in teaching are invaluable and versatile. They enhance a teacher’s abilities to efficiently manage classrooms, interact with diverse learners, and plan and implement instructional strategies. Moreover, these transferable skills for teachers equally come into play when teachers wish to transition into other careers, as they can apply these skills to various roles outside of education.

How can a teacher highlight transferable skills when applying for jobs in different careers?

A teacher can showcase their transferable skills by aligning them with the job description of the new role they are pursuing. When updating their resume or CV, they should specifically highlight how these skills have helped them succeed in their teaching career and how they can utilize them in a new position. Equally important is to demonstrate these skills during job interviews, using relevant examples from their teaching experience.

Are technical skills considered transferable?

Yes, certain technical skills are considered transferable. For example, a teacher’s knowledge of curriculum development, computer and technology use, and data analysis can be effectively applied in many non-teaching roles. However, the significance of technical skills depends on their relevance to the new role or industry.

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Brodi is a full-time digital nomad who travels the world with her family. They've visited over 20 countries together (and counting) in the last ten years!

Prior to becoming an online teacher, SEO expert, and freelance writer, she was an HR Manager and Director in Chicago for over 16 years. Brodi has a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management from Loyola University Chicago.

She now uses her professional and technical expertise to help others succeed with remote work.

In addition, Brodi is a freelance writer and also has a family travel blog called Our Offbeat Life.

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critical thinking transferable skills

15 Transferable Skills from Teaching (2024 Guide)

transferable skills from teaching

Ever wondered how to take the skills you’ve developed throughout your teaching career and put them into words in your resume?

You’re in the right place!

In this article, you’ll discover fifteen important transferable skills from teaching and how you can use them to boost your career in a new field.

Let’s dive in…

1. Communication

As a teacher, you probably spend a lot of time:  

  • Reading papers
  • Breaking down complex concepts
  • Speaking to parents and colleagues
  • Presenting information in an engaging way
  • Giving feedback
  • Actively listening to students

All of these things improve your communication abilities — skills that are important in pretty much every industry.  

Communication is especially crucial in sectors such as sales and marketing, public relations, and human resources. When you’re presenting ideas, engaging with stakeholders, or managing other people you need to be able to explain information clearly and make connections with others easily.  

Having good communication skills also opens up opportunities for remote work in fields like instructional design. This is the process of designing and developing effective learning experiences, either in higher education, the corporate world, or for organizations such as non-profits. And, as I explore later in the article, it’s very common for teachers to transition into being instructional designers .

2. Problem-solving

Teaching is a fast-paced, demanding job which requires great problem-solving skills.

For example… Imagine that in a class, one student with learning difficulties continually asks questions, disrupting the flow of the lesson. You understand that they’re just eager to learn, but it’s impacting the other students. In that moment, you have to decide how best to support the individual student’s needs while managing the wider classroom dynamics.

Here you learn how to quickly assess the situation and decide on an appropriate course of action. You also learn to adapt your strategies based on real-time reactions.

These skills are essential in professional settings where situations can change quickly. For example, project managers and consultants in particular often need to deal with unforeseen challenges and changing objectives.

3. Emotional intelligence

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report shows that emotional intelligence is one of the top ten most important skills in the workplace. And it’s no surprise since it relates to so many other skills.  

Emotional intelligence, the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others, helps employees to:

  • Understand their own needs at work
  • Keep calm under pressure
  • Understand other peoples’ perspectives
  • Bridge gaps in communication
  • Resolve conflict more easily
  • See other people's motivations
  • Navigate negotiations
  • Motivate and lead
  • Manage stress
  • Make decisions more easily

As a teacher, you’ve likely developed a high level of emotional intelligence. This is because you constantly have to put yourself in the mind of your students to support them in their learning. You also need to be able to manage your own feelings while leading a class and maintain a positive, inclusive environment.

4. Collaboration

Teaching often means collaborating with other teachers or administrators to come up with curriculum material or solve student issues. You may also work with parents to support a student’s progress and provide a comprehensive support system.

These connections improve your collaboration skills, including your:

  • Ability to listen
  • Patience and open-mindedness
  • Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
  • Leadership abilities
  • Communication skills

Collaboration skills are highly valued, with recent research showing that they are currently rated as “very important” by over 75% of employers.

They’re also particularly useful in corporate roles in which you work as part of a team. For example, in human resources and business development, you need to be able to create a positive work culture and move toward shared goals.

5. Classroom management

Every teacher knows the challenges of navigating classroom dynamics alongside supporting individual students. And, because of this balancing act, most educators have a high-degree of adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and great communication skills.

This goes to show that the skills learned in the classroom don’t just provide value inside the classroom.

Classroom management skills translate to:

  • Managerial skills
  • Project management abilities
  • Public speaking skills
  • Time management skills
  • Conflict resolution abilities  

These are particularly useful in industries such as event management, leadership roles, and training and development where organization and oversight are key.

6. Coaching

As a teacher, you work closely with students to support them in learning. This teaches you empathy and coaching skills, including how to:

  • Ask the right questions to encourage self-reflection
  • Provide feedback to target specific issues
  • Keep motivation levels high
  • Actively listen to students to understand their concerns
  • Build rapport and establish trust

You can use these skills to excel in any industry where interpersonal relationships are crucial. For example, in sales, you might use questioning skills and trust-building to establish strong connections with clients, uncover their specific needs, and tailor your approach accordingly.

7. Critical thinking

Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze and evaluate information in a logical way. This means you can assess evidence, consider alternative perspectives, and make informed decisions.  

Businesses often look for critical thinking skills because they allow employees to come up with creative solutions that save them time and money. They’re particularly important in fast-paced industries like IT and research and development.

Teachers very often develop critical thinking skills through lesson planning. By considering the most effective way to convey information to different types of learners, you take a step back and engage in a deliberate, analytical process to optimize the learning experience.

Creating assessments that measure students’ understanding also boosts critical thinking skills. For example, teachers have to consider how to structure tests carefully so they can assess skills such as analytic ability rather than just a student’s factual knowledge.  

8. Research

Explaining complex concepts to students forces teachers to thoroughly research their fields . You also learn how to test and refine your ideas, identify knowledge gaps, prepare for questions, find resources, and write clearly.

These skills are obviously beneficial in industries such as journalism and market analysis. But they can also be used more widely in sectors with a high level of innovation or strategic planning. For example, in management consulting, you need to prepare questions, find relevant resources, and present well-researched ideas.

9. Conflict resolution

As a teacher, you can be presented with situations that force you to use your conflict resolution skills.

To take an example, imagine that during a collaborative project, you notice that two participants are disagreeing on direction. You realize that things are becoming increasingly heated and step in. At this point, you need to know how to de-escalate the situation while hearing both sides and not taking too much time up in class.

This process teaches you a lot about patience, empathy, and diplomatic skills. All of these are important skills across industries since they form the foundation of relationship building. In particular, conflict resolution is essential in customer-facing roles where maintaining positive relationships is crucial.  

10. Instructional skills

Instructional skills refer to the ability to plan, deliver, and assess learning experiences to support students' engagement and understanding of content. And, when you’re working with a diverse range of students with different learning preferences, abilities, and backgrounds, you quickly improve these abilities.

Boosting instructional skills allows you to:

Present information in an interesting way

  • Train others on hard and soft skills
  • Come up with strategies to encourage engaged discussion  

In this way, teaching offers skills that are directly needed for instructional design . This is a field in which professionals draw on best practices from education, design, psychology, systems theory, and creative writing to create eLearning, face-to-face workshops, job aids, and other performance support solutions. I share more about transitioning from teaching to instructional design later in the article.

11. Leadership

When you’re a teacher, you act as a guide and mentor to your students. This means you’re developing your leadership skills every day.  

As the leader of a class, you’re responsible for:

  • Managing the classroom dynamics
  • Teaching students how to approach challenges
  • Influencing how students collaborate
  • Inspiring and motivating people toward success
  • Giving feedback and mentoring

These developed leadership skills often mean that teachers are ready to transition into managerial positions. And with one recent Korn Ferry study showing that 70% of HR professionals are worried they don’t have the right upcoming leaders in their company, there’s clearly a huge demand.

But it goes beyond the obvious too. Leadership skills are also essential in industries such as management, hospitality and retail, consulting, and operations where fast strategic decision-making is important.  

12. Adaptability

One McKinsey & Company study found that people with a high level of adaptability were 24% more likely to be employed. This is particularly true in industries where market dynamics and technological advances cause rapid change. Tech startups often require staff to be flexible, for example, because the landscape can be unpredictable.  

Because of ongoing research and changing educational policies, the field of education is also constantly changing. This means that teachers will often have great adaptability. You will also be used to:

  • Meeting diverse student needs
  • Integrating new tech
  • Incorporating feedback from other teachers
  • Embracing new teaching methods

13. Creativity

Between creating lesson plans and keeping people engaged, teaching is creative work.

Even as, say, a math teacher, you’ll find yourself having to come up with new and interesting ways to present information. For example, one day, you might be introducing geometric concepts through a hands-on activity, and the next day, you could be involving students in a statistics-based real-world scenario.  

Creativity is an in-demand skill across industries since it drives progress, inspires fresh perspectives, and allows organizations to stay ahead of the curve. It’s also particularly necessary in industries such as marketing, product development and innovation, design, and research and development.

14. Time management

All jobs require good time management, but teaching takes this to a whole new level. Every week, you have to plan and deliver lessons, attend to individual student needs, grade assignments, collaborate with colleagues, and more.

By learning to juggle all these tasks, you learn to:

  • Effectively prioritize tasks
  • Manage deadlines
  • Prepare meeting agendas

This makes you especially well-equipped for work in industries such as project management and event planning. Alternatively, you can use these skills in freelance work to optimize productivity and creative output.

15. Public speaking

If you have enhanced public speaking skills, you’ll stand out in the world of work.

Many employers are looking for a sign of your ability to communicate and connect with a diverse range of people. This is particularly true in industries such as sales or consulting where collaboration and persuasion are key.

Luckily, when you spend every day leading a class, you learn great public speaking skills. This includes how to:

  • Use body language to keep people engaged
  • Structure information clearly
  • Respond on the spot to audience queries
  • Manage nerves or anxiety
  • Use storytelling to explain ideas

How to use your transferable skills from teaching

Once you’ve become aware of the transferable skills you have from teaching, you can use these to further your career. Learn how here.

Include them in your resume

Recent research shows that over 70% of companies now use skills-based hiring to find their employees. This means they hire based on skills (often soft skills) rather than years of experience or qualifications.  

For example, in our recent Hiring Manager report , we surveyed hiring managers in the instructional design space. And 62.4% of them said that they consider hiring candidates without formal experience, even if experience still plays a role.

They do care about skills, though – such as writing strong learning objectives or understanding specific instructional design theories and models.  

You can stand out to these employers by clearly showing your skills in your resume.  

To do so clearly, you can add a section near the top of your resume titled "Key Skills" or "Core Competencies” and include a bullet list. This will help you to show up in Applicant Tracking Systems which search through candidates’ CVs for key skills.

Alternatively, you can use action verbs to bring your skills to life inside your employment history descriptions. For example, you could say "I effectively communicated complex ideas to diverse audiences" instead of “I have strong communication skills.”

Wherever possible, you should quantify your skills with figures. So instead of saying that you have “Great coaching skills,” you would say that you "Led a mentoring program for new teachers, resulting in a 25% reduction in first-year teacher turnover.”

You can also use examples and case studies to bring your resume to life. For example, I advise that when creating a standout instructional design resume , you link to concept projects and blogs.

Find a job that matches your transferable skills

Teacher burnout is on the rise and you might be considering how you can use your transferable skills to land a new position.  

As I’ve explored throughout the article, there are a lot of fields that you can move into from teaching. These include:

  • Instructional design
  • Sales and marketing
  • Public relations
  • Human resources
  • Project management
  • Business development
  • Hospitality and retail

For instance, many people make the move from being teachers to instructional designers because of the high crossover in skills. You’re still designing and developing learning materials and using creativity, problem-solving, and other transferable skills. But with remote instructional design roles, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home and on your own time schedule.  

You also have greater freedom over what you create. Instead of spending your time managing a stressful classroom, you can put your time and skills into managing a career that can grow alongside you.

Learn more about instructional design and how you can move into the industry on our blog .

And if you want to learn more about the types of jobs that are ideal for former teachers, take a look at our posts here:  

  • Tech jobs for teachers
  • Remote jobs for teachers
  • Jobs for former teachers

Over to you

So there you have it! A complete list of transferable skills from teaching and a guide of industries you could consider moving into.

Interested in learning more about instructional design and how you can apply your teaching skills to this career?

Grab this free checklist to get started as an instructional designer.

Devlin Peck

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20+ Transferable Teacher Skills You Have To Land ANY Position- I LOVE #6

by Cindy Lumpkin | Teacher Inspiration , Learning

Transferable Teacher Skills

Transferable Teacher Skills You’ve Developed

What if I told you that you have transferable teacher skills, right now, that could help you land almost any job- inside or outside the field of education you want?

Would you believe me if I told you the transferable teacher skills you’ve picked up over the years-  no matter if it’s been 2 or 15 years- make you an excellent candidate for almost any position? 

It’s true! In fact, your teaching experience has allowed you to develop unique transferable skills that you can use to do just about anything. This applies to introverted teachers as well.

No matter if you are interested in starting a teacher side hustle , starting your own small school , or would like to transition out of education altogether, you have the skill set to do it. 

I have compiled a list of over 20 transferable skills teachers have that could help you land your next job.

However, to get that job, it’s more than just listing a set of skills on your resume. Your first step would be to make an inventory of your transferable skills.

Your next step, however, is to know how to utilize those transferable teacher skills in a resume so that you can sell yourself into the profession of your choice. 

Think of this article as being two parts. 

Below you will find a list of transferable teacher skills followed by examples of how you demonstrate those skills and how to list them on your resume without sounding “teacherish.”

Skills Teachers Have Developed Over Time 

  • Multitasking
  • Communication 
  • Teaching/Training 
  • Data Analysis
  • Time Management
  • Flexible  
  • Critical thinking

If you find these skills teachers have helpful, please continue reading for all 23 of them. 

Transferable teacher skill #1: leadership.

I know what you are thinking, “I am not in leadership at my school.”

That may be true, but you have experience leading students, teachers’ assistants, other teachers, and maybe even admin. Think about how that looks.

As a special education teacher , I routinely lead students, parents, and other teachers through yearly IEP meetings. Sometimes admin is part of this meeting. 

So many of us (sped and gen ed alike) hate those meetings. However, I learned to lead a group that was not always on the same page toward a shared consensus. 

That is gold in ANY position and ANY career.

Let me blow your mind even more. 

As a result of leading the IEP team, I demonstrated decisive and inclusive decision-making skills, active listening, and persuasive negotiation skills. Boom!

You have to reframe your thinking. Every teacher has leadership skills that they use in their teaching job, even introverted teachers . 

Think about the time you planned the holiday party for your grade level or faculty and staff. 

You demonstrated effective organization and delegation skills to ensure everyone contributed the food dish you needed to round out a balanced meal for the potluck. 

Teachers Skills: Resume Example

Think about your story. This is where you sell yourself in the interview. Be specific about the time(s) you utilized your leadership skills as a teacher.

(Lead a group of (students/coworkers) through a (project/problem ) by (using/doing what).

Transferable Teacher Skill #2: Multitasking

Teachers are multitasking Queens and Kings. We are constantly doing more than one thing at a time.

We effortlessly manage multiple groups of learners. Often, our students are working on different assignments or doing them a different way. 

However, no matter how it looks, it’s happening all at once and we are at the center managing those groups and keeping our students on task effortlessly.

We are also assessing- making mental notes of the kiddos who are breezing through and those who seem to need more help.

In addition, we are redirecting off-task behavior and praising the effort of others.

Teacher Skills: Resume Example

Think about how this looks for you. Use it to sell yourself in the interview. Be specific about the time(s) you utilized the skillset of multitasking.

Consistently managed student behaviors while efficiently delivering academic lessons.

Transferable-Teacher-Skills-1

Transferable Teacher Skill #3: Teamwork

Everybody knows teamwork makes the dream work. This is true in education and just about every other career too.

Teachers are exceptional at being a part of a team. We work daily with our teacher assistants, other teachers, service providers, and parents to achieve any number of goals and solve problems. 

We work with our team of other teachers to plan teaching pacing, share responsibilities, and brainstormed ideas. 

On a daily basis, you collaborate and delegate appropriate tasks to your teaching assistants. You work together with them to ensure the student’s needs are being met. 

Teachers make great team members and the skills we pick up along the way are very much transferable to other jobs and careers. 

Think about how this looks for you. Be specific about the time(s) you utilized the skillset needed to work effectively as a team.

Collaborated with coworkers team at admin parents to (create/maintain/solve) (goal).

Transferable Teacher Skill #4: Communication 

Teachers are effective communicators, even introverted teachers. 

From writing and sending out notes, teaching students, conducting parent-teacher conferences, and designing curriculum to presenting at conferences you are an effective communicator.

Teachers have strong communication and verbal skills. This makes you marketable as you target other jobs and careers, whether those jobs are educational in nature or a sales manager. 

Be confident that all those well throughout lesson plans, class blogs, and school/class newsletters have given you experience with writing a range of content for different audiences. 

Think about your day-to-day teacher life. How can you sell yourself in the interview about your communication skills? 

Be specific about the time(s) you utilized your communication skills as a teacher.

Communicated (reminders/homework/achievements/notes) to (who) (how often).

Transferable Teacher Skill #5: Teaching/Training 

We are so undervalued sometimes by society that we forget that the simple act of teaching is an art and science of its own.

We are adept at explaining ideas clearly and concisely. Even with boring info, we know how to make it interesting and easy to understand. We are teachers!!!!

We are so detailed in our teaching we understand the importance of reading our audience and adjusting on the fly to ensure we are effectively conveying what we are attempting to teach.  

In a nutshell, teaching is a complex skill set that doesn’t happen overnight and is very beneficial in other jobs and careers. 

Expert in breaking apart complex skills and guiding people through critical thinking until full understanding is achieved.

Transferable Teacher Skill #6: Data Analysis

Teachers are expected to compile data (anecdotal record/quantitative/qualitative data) and analyze that data. 

It can be easy to see where sped teachers do all of this and more, but general education teachers do as well.

You may not feel like an expert and as teachers, we may not be true Analysts, but we have experience and have shown how to apply what we do know.

Sometimes that is all other jobs need to know to be confident that they can train you to effectively do what they need you to. 

Routinely collected and studied data on (#)  students to compare progress to national norms/goals, find trends, and adjust strategies.

Transferable Teacher Skill #7: Enthusiasm

Okay! You may think I am reaching here, but I am not. I truly want you to reframe your thinking because you have so many transferable teacher skills. 

It’s human nature that we will not always show up happy and wanting to be at work. Sometimes our wonderful little students are the reason we aren’t happy. LOL!

Even when we are not happy-go-lucky, we show up anyway finding something to be excited about because we know our kids feed off our energy. 

Why not transfer your ability to inspire and motivate students to another workplace? Positive people are valued and needed in every workplace. 

Be specific about the time(s) you utilized your enthusiasm as a teacher.

Upheld positivity through challenging situations in the workplace and nurtured school morale .

Transferable Teacher Skill #8: Time Management 

Teachers have effectively mastered the skill of time management. Not only do we work through tough deadlines, but we also adhere to a daily time schedule.

Whether working through all the components of your lesson for the day to deciding how to pace teaching objectives for benchmark testing, time management is an important transferable skill teachers have. 

I would go as far as to say that many positions require the skill of time management. 

You know how to prioritize and have the ability to meet complex and changing needs.

Be specific about the long-term projects you were in charge of on your resume and what your success rate was.

Maintained professional responsibilities, consistently met expectations, and accomplish goals in a fast-paced environment with many deadlines per week.

Transferable Teacher Skill #9: Flexible 

Being flexible or adaptable is another awesome skill teachers have. You know Murphy’s Law, right? It’s always at play in school or our classrooms.

Teachers demonstrate flexibility every time a lesson or activity isn’t working and we quickly modify the lesson/activity, change the pace or reteach and explain further when needed. 

Great teachers have the ability to balance responsibilities and regroup at the drop of a dime. 

Think about how this looks for you. Use this skill to sell yourself in the interview. Be specific about the time(s) you utilized the skillset of flexibility.

Adaptable to sudden changes in plans and able to quickly problem solve to remain effective with the task at hand.  

Transferable Teacher Skill #10: Critical Thinking

Not only are teachers great critical thinkers, but we encourage critical thinking in others. 

As a result of this superpower skillset, we can pinpoint where the misunderstanding is and lead the student to the correct course of action for mastery. 

Teachers practice critical thinking daily by considering both day-to-day activities and long-term teaching and learning goals. 

Finally, we evaluate what we have, determine what we will need, and decide how and when to assess student progress. 

Teacher Resume Example

Think about how this looks for you. Use this skill to sell yourself in the interview. Be specific about the time(s) and how you utilized your critical thinking.

Ability to assess thinking patterns and pinpoint if and where the confusion is and then formulate an explanatory dialogue to encourage understanding.

More Transferable Skills Teachers Have

Quick question: Are you on our email list ? If you’re a teacher who wants to own his/her time and not be dependent on your teaching job, you definitely want to be on our list where we send out teacher side job ideas as well as productivity tips, and inspiration to get through this tough yet awesome journey of being an educator this day in age. Click here to subscribe .

Transferable Teacher Skills You Have To Land ANY Career will be UPDATED to include the following soon…

critical thinking transferable skills

Skills Teachers Have #11: Reflective

Teachers are highly reflective. It’s one of the best skills we’ve developed and continue to improve on the practice.

Being reflective helps us to understand our students, their learning patterns, abilities, and needs. As a result of reflection, we are able to walk in our students’ shoes and see through their eyes.

This is one of the main reasons we are so successful at what we do and it helps us to stay relevant and innovative.

To learn more about how essential the skill is for teachers, read The Ultimate Guide To Reflective Practice In Teaching.

Teacher’s Skill for Resume 

Habitually self-reflective and seeks critical feedback for both personal and professional growth.

Skills Teachers Have #12: Emotional Intelligence

Okay! So I can’t specifically say you have a high level of emotional intelligence; however, good teachers, over 50% of us, do. If you are reading this, I bet you do too.

To be sure you are a teacher with a high level of emotional intelligence, how do you stack up: 

They embrace change. … They have a strong sense of self-awareness. … They show empathy toward others. … They have balanced lives. … They’re curious and eager to learn. … They’re grateful for what they have.

You can see why this skill would be beneficial in any position and career.

Trained in mental, social, and emotional development to manage uncomfortable interactions and encourage healthy verbal and nonverbal behavior.

Skills Teachers Have #13: Patience

Teachers are some of the most patient people I know. Do you know how many things you tolerate on a daily basis without getting annoyed? I know, a lot!

It’s not just with your students, but your fellow teachers, and admin.

Listen! I worked in high school and every year without fell a month into the school year and kids’ schedules were still being changed. This meant my roaster changed every day.

I am just going to leave that there.

Excels at hearing others’ ideas, building upon thoughts, asking for clarification when needed, and making decisions collaborative.

Skills Teachers Have #14: Conflict Resolution

Teachers put out fires every single day with students and sometimes with fellow coworkers. 

Teachers are really good at resolving problems and disagreements in a positive way, creating win/win for all parties involved.

Teacher’s Skill for Resume 

Resolve students’ issues by finding immediate solutions and increasing student community satisfaction daily while maintaining neutrality.

Skills Teachers Have #15: Managing Inventory

Teachers are responsible for managing classroom supplies, books, and equipment. If you happen to be a coach or music teacher, you are responsible for even more. 

It takes a lot of organization to successfully account for all the “things” and to ensure you get them back at the end of the school year.

Create reports to track books and equipment inventory and place orders for new supplies based on established needs.

Skills Teachers Have #16: Fundraising 

This is one that I can really speak to from several angles. I am one of these teachers who needed/wanted out, but didn’t want to do anything but teach.

With fear and everything else, I started a micro-school and eventually obtain my 501c3.

I had fundraised as a classroom teacher and not just your traditional school fundraiser either.

But capitalizing on that in my nonprofit, I not only did fundraisers, but I wrote grants too.

I recently was asked to serve as the Executive Director of another small community nonprofit in my area. I applied and got the job! This was one of the skills that set me apart, as well as my ability to write grants.

So to bring this home, I used that skill first as a classroom teacher and then in my nonprofit and now it was something that helped me land this position as Executive Director in another organization.

Skill for Resume

Attain desired funds by promoting the mission of the organization and nurturing relationships with community members

Key Skills For Teacher Resumes #17: Marketing

Skills teachers have #18: curriculum development, skills for teachers resumes #19: organization, transferable skills teachers have #20: public speaking, key skills for teacher resumes #21: work ethic, skills teachers have #22: computer skills, skills for teachers resumes #23: managerial experience.

Rexshell Hoff

Thank you this is so helpful!

Cindy Lumpkin

You are so welcome.

Nancy

This is amazing now I am not so overwhelmed revamping my resume for corporate world. Thank you

You are so welcome!! I am happy it has helped.

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Transferable Skills as a Lifeguard

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critical thinking transferable skills

A loud whistle blows in the distance and takes you out of your thoughts. It’s another summer and you’re working as a lifeguard. But it’s getting closer and closer to graduation and you’re wondering how these summers are going to help you in your job search. Well, have no fear! I was a lifeguard for five years so I know firsthand all the transferable skills that are developed in this position. Transferable skills are soft skills that can be used in many situations. You can develop valuable transferable skills whether the position is related to your future career interests or not. This information doesn’t just apply to lifeguards, it’s for anyone that’s ever had a summer job like camp counselor, waitress, or even babysitter!

Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are examples of transferable skills, and believe it or not being a lifeguard can help develop all three! Oral communication skills and customer service skills are used when speaking with teammates and patrons. In order to keep a calm demeanor and keep the patrons satisfied you need to use customer service skills. Teamwork skills are used whenever there are multiple lifeguards on a shift. All lifeguards have to work together to scan the entire pool area, keep up with maintenance, and make sure the patrons are happy. Problem-solving skills are used when something doesn’t go as planned. For example, maybe some children decide they want to play tag on the pool deck. You have to decide what the appropriate course of action will be for each different scenario you come across in the position.

You’ve also developed even more transferable skills that some wouldn’t think of when lifeguarding like critical thinking, analytical, or teaching skills. Critical thinking and analytical skills are important when scanning the water because lifeguards need to decide if the patron is in need of assistance in the water or if they are just bouncing off the ground for fun. Lifeguards need to consider all aspects of the scene and analyze them in order to make judgments that are usually life and death. Teaching skills are also developed because when speaking to a patron about the rules, lifeguards need to not only explain the rule but explain why it’s important the patron follow the rule.

This is not a complete list of transferable skills that are developed while lifeguarding and it’s always a good idea to brainstorm more that are specific to your experience. Expressing these skills shows a potential employer that you have strong transferable skills even if the experience isn’t directly related. The next step is to add these transferable skills to your bullet point statements on your resume. If you need some guidance on how to do this schedule a virtual resume critique through Handshake with the Center for Career Development today!

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Warren Berger

A Crash Course in Critical Thinking

What you need to know—and read—about one of the essential skills needed today..

Posted April 8, 2024 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

  • In research for "A More Beautiful Question," I did a deep dive into the current crisis in critical thinking.
  • Many people may think of themselves as critical thinkers, but they actually are not.
  • Here is a series of questions you can ask yourself to try to ensure that you are thinking critically.

Conspiracy theories. Inability to distinguish facts from falsehoods. Widespread confusion about who and what to believe.

These are some of the hallmarks of the current crisis in critical thinking—which just might be the issue of our times. Because if people aren’t willing or able to think critically as they choose potential leaders, they’re apt to choose bad ones. And if they can’t judge whether the information they’re receiving is sound, they may follow faulty advice while ignoring recommendations that are science-based and solid (and perhaps life-saving).

Moreover, as a society, if we can’t think critically about the many serious challenges we face, it becomes more difficult to agree on what those challenges are—much less solve them.

On a personal level, critical thinking can enable you to make better everyday decisions. It can help you make sense of an increasingly complex and confusing world.

In the new expanded edition of my book A More Beautiful Question ( AMBQ ), I took a deep dive into critical thinking. Here are a few key things I learned.

First off, before you can get better at critical thinking, you should understand what it is. It’s not just about being a skeptic. When thinking critically, we are thoughtfully reasoning, evaluating, and making decisions based on evidence and logic. And—perhaps most important—while doing this, a critical thinker always strives to be open-minded and fair-minded . That’s not easy: It demands that you constantly question your assumptions and biases and that you always remain open to considering opposing views.

In today’s polarized environment, many people think of themselves as critical thinkers simply because they ask skeptical questions—often directed at, say, certain government policies or ideas espoused by those on the “other side” of the political divide. The problem is, they may not be asking these questions with an open mind or a willingness to fairly consider opposing views.

When people do this, they’re engaging in “weak-sense critical thinking”—a term popularized by the late Richard Paul, a co-founder of The Foundation for Critical Thinking . “Weak-sense critical thinking” means applying the tools and practices of critical thinking—questioning, investigating, evaluating—but with the sole purpose of confirming one’s own bias or serving an agenda.

In AMBQ , I lay out a series of questions you can ask yourself to try to ensure that you’re thinking critically. Here are some of the questions to consider:

  • Why do I believe what I believe?
  • Are my views based on evidence?
  • Have I fairly and thoughtfully considered differing viewpoints?
  • Am I truly open to changing my mind?

Of course, becoming a better critical thinker is not as simple as just asking yourself a few questions. Critical thinking is a habit of mind that must be developed and strengthened over time. In effect, you must train yourself to think in a manner that is more effortful, aware, grounded, and balanced.

For those interested in giving themselves a crash course in critical thinking—something I did myself, as I was working on my book—I thought it might be helpful to share a list of some of the books that have shaped my own thinking on this subject. As a self-interested author, I naturally would suggest that you start with the new 10th-anniversary edition of A More Beautiful Question , but beyond that, here are the top eight critical-thinking books I’d recommend.

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark , by Carl Sagan

This book simply must top the list, because the late scientist and author Carl Sagan continues to be such a bright shining light in the critical thinking universe. Chapter 12 includes the details on Sagan’s famous “baloney detection kit,” a collection of lessons and tips on how to deal with bogus arguments and logical fallacies.

critical thinking transferable skills

Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results , by Shane Parrish

The creator of the Farnham Street website and host of the “Knowledge Project” podcast explains how to contend with biases and unconscious reactions so you can make better everyday decisions. It contains insights from many of the brilliant thinkers Shane has studied.

Good Thinking: Why Flawed Logic Puts Us All at Risk and How Critical Thinking Can Save the World , by David Robert Grimes

A brilliant, comprehensive 2021 book on critical thinking that, to my mind, hasn’t received nearly enough attention . The scientist Grimes dissects bad thinking, shows why it persists, and offers the tools to defeat it.

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know , by Adam Grant

Intellectual humility—being willing to admit that you might be wrong—is what this book is primarily about. But Adam, the renowned Wharton psychology professor and bestselling author, takes the reader on a mind-opening journey with colorful stories and characters.

Think Like a Detective: A Kid's Guide to Critical Thinking , by David Pakman

The popular YouTuber and podcast host Pakman—normally known for talking politics —has written a terrific primer on critical thinking for children. The illustrated book presents critical thinking as a “superpower” that enables kids to unlock mysteries and dig for truth. (I also recommend Pakman’s second kids’ book called Think Like a Scientist .)

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters , by Steven Pinker

The Harvard psychology professor Pinker tackles conspiracy theories head-on but also explores concepts involving risk/reward, probability and randomness, and correlation/causation. And if that strikes you as daunting, be assured that Pinker makes it lively and accessible.

How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion and Persuasion , by David McRaney

David is a science writer who hosts the popular podcast “You Are Not So Smart” (and his ideas are featured in A More Beautiful Question ). His well-written book looks at ways you can actually get through to people who see the world very differently than you (hint: bludgeoning them with facts definitely won’t work).

A Healthy Democracy's Best Hope: Building the Critical Thinking Habit , by M Neil Browne and Chelsea Kulhanek

Neil Browne, author of the seminal Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking, has been a pioneer in presenting critical thinking as a question-based approach to making sense of the world around us. His newest book, co-authored with Chelsea Kulhanek, breaks down critical thinking into “11 explosive questions”—including the “priors question” (which challenges us to question assumptions), the “evidence question” (focusing on how to evaluate and weigh evidence), and the “humility question” (which reminds us that a critical thinker must be humble enough to consider the possibility of being wrong).

Warren Berger

Warren Berger is a longtime journalist and author of A More Beautiful Question .

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VIDEO

  1. Transferable Skill: Critical Thinking

  2. Strategies to Develop Critical Thinking Skills

  3. 7 Hacks To Improve Your Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills

  4. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

  5. 7 Critical Thinking Examples That Will “Bulletproof” Your Mind

  6. Using Brain Teasers to Build Critical Thinking Skills

COMMENTS

  1. 15 Transferable Skills Companies Want in 2024 (Examples)

    Transferable skills can help you land a new job, even without the "right" experience. Here are the 15 most important transferable skills. Find a Better Way to Work. Search by job title, keyword, ... Critical Thinking. Similar to problem-solving and analytical reasoning, critical thinking is the evaluation and interpretation of information to ...

  2. Transferable Skills: How to Use Them to Land Your Next Job

    Here are six common transferable skills, with examples of how they might show up in different roles. Use this list to help identify your own transferrable skills. 1. Critical thinking. Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate, synthesize, and analyze information in an objective manner in order to produce an original insight or judgement.

  3. 17 Transferable Skills Employers Look for in 2024

    Leadership skills. Leadership is a core competency because it's a combination of all the other transferable skills. Resilience, empathy, and communication are just some of the values that make a good leader. These skills allow you to guide and inspire the people you work with. 13.

  4. The 7 Transferable Skills To Help You Change Careers

    There are certain keywords in almost every job posting that relate to skills: communication, multitasking, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking and leadership. These words represent a secret ...

  5. 10 Must-Have Transferable Skills for Career Changers in 2023

    Below are the ten most valuable transferable skills to have for tech career changers. 1. Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving. Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills go hand in hand in the workplace. Analytical thinking is the ability to break down complex problems into smaller parts and understand how they are related.

  6. 60+ Transferable Skills to Help Win You a New Job

    The skills you include on your resume should reflect the employer's needs mentioned in the job post or ad. According to our research, these are the transferable skills most requested by employers: Problem-solving. Critical thinking. Leadership. Adaptability. Teamwork. Communication. Attention to detail.

  7. 25 Transferable Skills Employers Look For

    Critical thinking skills mean thinking outside the box, taking other perspectives into account, and working out the best course of action to take. Critical thinking skills can come from all sorts of experience, from analysing texts at university to solving problems at your current place of employment, and the structure of thinking is the same ...

  8. How to List Transferable Skills on a Resume (Samples, Tips, Templates

    Leadership. Creative Thinking. Critical Thinking. Computer & Technical Skills. Other Soft & Hard Skills. 1. Communication. Communication transferable skills are highly valued in the workplace. The ability to communicate and work with co-workers is very well needed to ensure an excellent working dynamic of a company.

  9. 5 In-Demand Transferable Skills to Help You Land Your Next Job

    1. Critical Thinking. Critical thinking skills are analytical or problem-solving skills. Learning to analyze problems without the interference of personal bias, emotions or assumptions is a key part of critical thinking. Good critical thinkers can thoroughly define a problem and then evaluate and implement the best solution. Here are some steps ...

  10. 17 Unexpected Transferable Skills You Might Already Possess

    17 Transferable Skills Employers Want (That You Already Possess) A transferable skill is an ability or expertise that may be used in various roles or occupations. By Caileen Kehayas Holden ... Critical thinking skills describe the ability to analyze information, assess situations, and make informed and confident decisions. ...

  11. These Top 5 Transferable Skills are a Must-Have on Your Resume

    Transferable skills are abilities that are relevant and helpful across all kinds of jobs. Here are the 5 most important transferable skills. ... Critical thinking is a transferable skill because professionals can face challenges in any role they take up. Analytically solving and coming up with out-of-the-box solutions is an art that cannot be ...

  12. Transferable Skills: 10 Skills That Work Across Industries

    Decision-making requires you to analyze a situation, predict possible outcomes and come up with a solution or action in an efficient time frame. Transferable decision-making skills include: Problem-solving. Creativity. Critical thinking. Analytical. Read more: Decision-Making Skills: Definition and Examples.

  13. The 12 Transferable Skills

    Highlights From a holistic approach, this synthesis presents the 12 transferable skills based on four dimensions:. The cognitive dimension (learning to know) includes learning skills such as creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.; The instrumental dimension (learning to do) includes skills for employability such as cooperation, negotiation and decision making.

  14. Identifying obstacles to transfer of critical thinking skills

    This study investigated whether unsuccessful transfer of critical thinking (CT) would be due to recognition, recall, or application problems (cf. three-step model of transfer). In two experiments (laboratory: N = 196; classroom: N = 104), students received a CT-skills pretest (including learning, near transfer, and far transfer items), CT ...

  15. 5 Transferable Skills Tech Managers are Looking For in 2024

    Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. Critical thinking, or the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in a logical and reasoned manner, has been called the most valuable skill for the future of work. Even better, problem solving and critical thinking are relevant to almost every tech job and industry, yet not everyone has ...

  16. Critical Thinking

    Transferable Skills Library; Critical Thinking; Critical Thinking. Follow the arrows below to find articles and on-demand courses that will help you learn how to understand the logical connections between ideas, self-reflect, and keep an open mind to new information.

  17. 25 Best Transferable Skills for Teachers & How to Highlight Them on a

    Transferable Skills for Teachers: Analytical and Critical Thinking. These skills are necessary for managing multiple tasks at once, managing time effectively, interpreting data, keeping things organized, and managing inventory. 10. Multitasking

  18. The Transferable Skills That Can Help You Change Careers

    Credit: Adobe Stock. There are certain keywords in almost every job posting that relate to skills: communication, multitasking, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking and leadership. These words ...

  19. 15 Transferable Skills from Teaching (2024 Guide)

    7. Critical thinking . Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze and evaluate information in a logical way. This means you can assess evidence, consider alternative perspectives, and make informed decisions. Businesses often look for critical thinking skills because they allow employees to come up with creative solutions that save them ...

  20. Transferable Skills: How to Use Them to Land Your Next Job

    Here are six common transferable skills, with examples of how they might show up in different roles. Use this list to help identify your own transferable skills. 1. Critical thinking. Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate, synthesise, and analyse information in an objective manner in order to produce an original insight or judgement.

  21. Transferable Skills

    FGCU's 10 Transferable Skills Badges . FGCU's 10 Transferable Skills Badges . Skip to the content ... People with strong critical thinking skills exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and address problems. They are able to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data relevant to a problem; and they are able to ...

  22. 20+ Transferable Teacher Skills You Have To Land ANY Position

    Transferable Teacher Skill #1: Leadership. I know what you are thinking, "I am not in leadership at my school.". That may be true, but you have experience leading students, teachers' assistants, other teachers, and maybe even admin. Think about how that looks. As a special education teacher, I routinely lead students, parents, and other ...

  23. Transferable Skills as a Lifeguard

    Transferable skills are soft skills that can be used in many situations. You can develop valuable transferable skills whether the position is related to your future career interests or not. ... Critical thinking and analytical skills are important when scanning the water because lifeguards need to decide if the patron is in need of assistance ...

  24. A Crash Course in Critical Thinking

    Here is a series of questions you can ask yourself to try to ensure that you are thinking critically. Conspiracy theories. Inability to distinguish facts from falsehoods. Widespread confusion ...

  25. 5 Free Online Data Analysis Courses In 2024

    3 Critical Thinking Skills You Need In 2024. Apr 15, ... First, data analysis is a highly transferable skill, and is a function that is needed in every industry globally, similar to careers such ...