I found an article on MSN Careers today that highlighted ‘10 Evolving Jobs’ in the United States. The article covers jobs that are evolving into different types of positions…with relatively the same skill sets.
For example - Pharmacy Aide positions are evolving into Pharmacy Technician positions. This got me thinking about transferable skills in the workplace. Transferrable skills are essentially skills that can be used in any sort of position, or transferred from one job to another- paid or unpaid. Listing out your transferrable skills is as easy as transferring funds between your online checking and savings accounts. All you have to do is take some time to think about your past work and/or volunteer history.
You may be asking ‘why are transferrable skills so important…and what ones do I have?’ Let’s take a closer look.
Take for example someone who has stayed home to raise their children for the last 5 years and has had no paid work experience during that time. How then, are they supposed to be able to write a resume? Simple, it’s just a matter of finding what skills this new employer wants and drawing on what you already know and what you’ve already done!
Here is an exercise for you – Let’s say you are applying for a Medical Office position, but you have no recent experience in that field. Take out a piece of paper and write down the last 3 jobs you have held (paid or unpaid). Next, list 10 things you did on a daily or weekly basis in those different positions.
Let’s continue with our Stay-At-Home-Parent example and I will assist you in this activity:
- Stay at Home Parent. Duties: cook, clean, answer phone, create activities, manage conflict, adhere to nap/food schedule, teach letters, numbers and words, handle minor First Aid, travel to practices and games.
- Office Assistant. Duties: phones, email, fax, copy, greet customers, order lunches, schedule meetings, create memos and letters, prepare time sheets.
- Server. Duties: customer service, multitasking, prepare drink orders, properly enter food orders, communicate with kitchen and service staff, manage conflict, maintain friendly demeanor, greet guests, seat guests in correct section, memorization.
Now that you have your list of jobs and the duties you accomplished at each, find the duties that match the items listed on the job description. If there are no items listed in the job description, take some time to choose the ones that would most fit the position. Out of the duties listed above, here is what I would choose for a Medical Office position: answer phone, manage conflict, handle minor First Aid (or sick children), fax, email, copy, greet customers, schedule meetings (or appointments), maintain friendly demeanor, memorization.
All of those duties listed above would carry over into a Medical Office position, or any type of office position for that matter. Transferrable skills are a GREAT asset to list on a resume. It will help the employer to understand that even if you haven’t had any PAID work experience in the last few years, you have still been utilizing skills that would make you a valuable employee.
So next time you get ready to revise your resume, remember to transfer those skills - and check your bank account while you’re at it!
Now pick up that phone- it could be your career calling!!