Highlighting Transferable Skills
People often ask me how can s/he highlight and leverage their transferable skills when it comes to considering a new career goal or change.
First, identify if your interest is a straight line, lateral or a career jump. Next, I always recommend reviewing and capturing the current key competencies aligned with what job(s) that individual has had. Then, research and capture the key competencies against future ideal job(s). Follow this up with competency mapping for heightened awareness and prep.
I recently had the delight to partner with a gentleman in Austin, Texas who for his entire career, over a decade, had worn dual hats as a sports coach and teacher. He was curious about a new career path in sales. Upon partnering with him, capturing his skills, knowledge and abilities, researching the sales key competencies, we conducted a competency mapping. Then, we were able to highlight the transferable skills on prime real estate, (on the top of his resume). In addition, we also ensured he was prepared for competency interviewing, by coming up with 2-3 questions against each competency. Now he can easily speak to each competency on a phone, in person or panel interview(s).
In this particular example, some of the key transferable skills we chose to highlight against the sales opportunity he was seeking were:
coaching, communication, influencing, ambiguity, judgment, decision-making, organizing, planning, prioritizing, time management, relationship building and critical thinking.
I am happy to share he landed the new career jump and has been in his new role now for nearly a year.
- “I think your major asset is your relentless desire to learn – you are so naturally inquisitive – skills of a good coach – your approach is very infectious.”Mike Smith
L&D Professional & Coach
Tags
Books Books/Reading career Change Change Management Coach Coaching Collaboration Compensation conflict Cover Letter Culture Discipline engagement Ethics exit interview Grads happiness How HR Consulting Interviewing job Leadership Learn Learning Learning & Development market salary surveys MBTI Mentoring Motivation Noise Performance Preferences Reading Resume Resumes & Interviews Retention self-awareness Situational leadership Strengths success talent acquisition Teach Type work