Top 10 transferable skills for the workplace

For those looking to improve their career prospects and land a new job role, it makes sense to consider the top transferable skills that employees look for in potential candidates.

Many job seekers don't see the value in adding transferable skills to their CV, which can really boost your interview rate, and overall employability. Check out our Interview tips article for advice on answering common interview questions.  

While specialised technical skills are highly desirable to employers, never underestimate the importance of transferable skills when applying for a role with a new company. 

Are you looking for a new job? You may find our tips on starting a new job useful to help you get started and settled in quickly.

What are transferable skills?

If you are wondering what transferable skills are, the term refers to skills that can be utilised in a variety of workplaces. Transferable skills are highly sought-after by employers because an employee who already has these skills will require less training and will probably be more independent than an employee who has little in the way of transferable skills. 

In this article, we will list some of the top transferable skills that employers look for in potential employees and we will outline how you can identify your transferable skills so you can secure your dream role. 

Transferable skills vs. soft skills

Transferable skills are often compared to soft skills, meaning non-technical workplace skills that are more difficult to quantify than highly specific skills. However, it is important to remember that transferable skills can refer to both soft and hard skills. 

The top 10 transferable skills in the workplace 

Teamwork - Teamwork is a highly desirable skill for employers, as well-functioning teams are essential to running successful companies. Think of some examples of times when you worked well as part of a group. 

Leadership - Similarly, leadership is a sought-after skill that employers look for. If you can think of occasions where you helped to motivate and inspire those around, you then it’s likely that you display leadership skills.

Digital Skills - Digital skills have been in demand for over a decade now, however, many companies still struggle to find skilled employees with the digital capabilities required to take their company to the next level. 

Budget Management - If you are skilled with numbers and are always looking at ways to save money, you can add budget management to your list of transferable skills. Employers are constantly looking for ways to improve their firm’s bottom line, so budget management skills are high in demand amongst recruiters. 

Creativity - Truly creative employees often find innovative solutions to problems, which is why creativity is a highly sought-after quality. In evidencing your creativity, it can help to think back to situations in which you contributed original ideas that helped to move a project towards a successful outcome. 

Relationship Management - Relationships are important in the world of business, so it can be very beneficial to have a skilled relationship manager on board. If you have experience in managing a range of stakeholders, list relationship management among your strengths. 

Project Management - Employers are keen for projects to run on time and on budget. Therefore, those with project management skills are highly desirable.

Data Analysis - Like digital skills, data analysis skills are high in demand. If you regularly work with data and feed information back to management, you can count data analysis among your strengths.

Customer Awareness - In many environments, a customer-focused outlook is vital. Employers are especially interested in hearing if you can go above and beyond in aid of customer satisfaction.

Business Acumen - Employees who are business-savvy and capable of making astute decisions are constantly in demand. It is always helpful if you can think of specific examples to prove your business acumen.

Identifying your transferable skills

If you are looking to identify your transferable skills, it will help if you make a list of the transferable skills you use daily. For example, perhaps you must use leadership skills to motivate members of your team. Wherever possible, use concrete examples to highlight your advantages to potential employers. 

Why are transferable skills important?

As we have already discussed, transferable skills represent a saving to employers, as those with solid transferable skills will probably require less training and supervision than those who do not possess a broad range of transferable skills. 

Want to learn how to stand out from the crowd in your job search? Read our guide to standing out from other applicants now. 

Where to include transferable skills in your cover letter

Ideally, your transferable skills will be evenly distributed throughout your cover letter to give your potential future employer a solid idea of the value you could add to their organisation. Wherever possible, give examples of your transferable skills in action rather than just listing them as this adds a level of authenticity that is very appealing to recruiters looking for skilled employees. 

It is also advisable to group relevant transferable skills within your cover letter. For example, if you state that you have great budget-management skills, you may wish to follow this up with an example of negotiation skills that enabled you to save the company money on a product or service. 

For more tips on how to write the perfect cover letter, check out our guide. If you are just starting out, read our guide on how to look for jobs.  

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