17 Transferable Skills Employers Want (That You Already Possess)

There's nothing more daunting than starting a job search feeling like you have nothing to fill out your skills section with. When starting a new career, transitioning to a new field, or simply looking for your next job, you want to feel—at a minimum—some kind of confidence.

What about the transferable skills you've worked on for as long as you've been alive? Really!

No matter where you are in your career, you have a set of skills that got you this far. We have all had experience with some level of problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, and maybe even some of the technical skills a job may require. 

Just because you haven't used your skills in the context of a particular job does not mean that they aren't important and lucrative. 

Table of Contents

In this article, we'll explore how to bring your existing skills to the workplace, how to describe your transferable skills in a resume or cover letter, and why some of these general skills are the most important of all. 

What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills go by many names. Some people call them soft skills, life skills, people skills, or even employability skills. These are the skills you might not consider when writing your first resume or transitioning to a new field. 

Unlike hard skills, many transferable skills are those one uses to navigate everyday life. 

Here are just a few examples of skills you likely possess and have used in work or work-adjacent situations. 

Transferable Skills Examples 

Here's the thing we always tell readers. You have a range of skills. Sometimes, your unexpected talents come up in interesting ways. Figuring out your transferable skills takes a little creativity and a lot of self-reflection. 

When Employees Need to Show Transferable Skills

Employees may need to showcase transferable skills in various situations. Here are a few situations where it benefits an employee to examine and pinpoint their transferable skills and how they can be applied in future scenarios. 

Entry-Level Jobs

Landing your first job is tough, especially when it feels like you have nothing to list on your entry-level resume. When seeking a first "real job," employees can draw on transferable skills they have acquired in non-work settings. This can include educational settings, group projects, volunteer experience, and even team sports. 

Career Changes

When changing careers, individuals may possess skills acquired in their previous profession that apply to the new field. Transferable skills can help bridge the gap and make a candidate more attractive to potential employers.

Internal Job Transfers

Within a company, employees might seek opportunities for internal transfers or promotions. In such cases, they would need to highlight their transferable skills to show how they can excel in the new role based on their existing skill set.

Returning to the Workforce

Individuals who took a break from the workforce, such as parents returning after raising children or individuals returning after a sabbatical, may need to emphasize transferable skills gained in their prior experiences.

Freelancing or Consulting Positions

Professionals working as freelancers or consultants often encounter diverse projects. Transferable skills become crucial when moving between different projects or industries while showcasing the ability to adapt and contribute effectively.

Entrepreneurship Ventures 

Individuals starting their own business or venturing into entrepreneurship often rely on transferable skills gained in previous employment to manage various aspects of their business effectively.

Cross-functional Teams or Startup Environments

Employees may need to collaborate with colleagues from different departments in workplaces with cross-functional teams. Transferable skills become valuable in these situations to contribute to projects beyond the scope of one's immediate role.

Leadership Roles 

Transferable skills are essential when showcasing leadership capabilities. Leaders often need to draw on experiences from different roles to lead teams and solve complex problems effectively.

The Transferable Skills You Might Already Have 

All transferable skills are important, but certain skills will be more attractive in different hiring scenarios. For example, a hiring manager looking to fill a customer service role will likely consider transferable skills like communication, adaptability, and negotiation. 

Furthermore, the ability to translate your experience to your new job shows your understanding of the role and the skills required to achieve success. 

Here are some of the best transferable skills that employers look for in many open roles. Show an employer that you are equipped to excel in your next job. 

Communication Skills

Communication skills include the ability to convey ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing. However, communication skills aren't just about relaying important information. A great communicator must also be able to receive it, which is why active listening skills are an extremely important part of communication skills. 

Communication Skills Examples:

Teamwork

Teamwork skills include everything from collaborating effectively with others to understanding how to reach common goals with different personalities and work styles.

When highlighting teamwork skills, share stories about how you worked with others to achieve a common goal—all while working through differences, unexpected obstacles, and unforeseen challenges. 

Teamwork Examples: 

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving skills describe one's ability to analyze situations to find effective solutions. Your most effective problem-solvers can spot problems before they have the chance to arise and cause even more damaging issues in the workplace. 

Problem-Solving Examples:

Adaptability

Adaptability is a lucrative skill in any fast-paced work environment, especially in a startup environment. These employees demonstrate flexibility and can adjust to new situations and environments. Employees with adaptability skills see the importance of putting their ego aside to serve a team (or organization) goal. 

Adaptability Examples:

Time Management Skills

Time management skills describe the ability to manage and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines efficiently. Effective time management doesn't translate to getting one thousand tasks done in the space of an hour. Rather, it's using time and energy effectively. It's working smart to prevent burnout over time.

Time Management Examples:

Leadership Skills

What's the old adage about leaders? They aren't born; they are made. Leadership has to start somewhere. Leadership skills describe talents like guiding and motivating others to achieve objectives. A strong and effective leader fosters a positive and collaborative work environment while empowering team members to reach their full potential.

A leader leads by example, and these leadership skills can be borne and developed at an early age. 

Leadership Examples:

Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills describe the ability to analyze information, assess situations, and make informed and confident decisions. Employees with adept critical thinking skills are experts at evaluating information, disseminating data, and finding places for constant improvement. 

Critical Thinking Examples: 

Organizational Skills

Organizational skills include structuring and managing tasks and resources efficiently, both inwardly and outwardly. Employees with strong organizational skills work with a clear mind—and often a clean physical workspace—without succumbing to overwhelm or frustration. 

Organizational Skills Examples:

Negotiation Skills

Employees with strong negotiation skills are dependable when it comes to finding mutually beneficial solutions in conflict, debate, or mediation. Strong negotiators reach an agreement by using strategy and persuasion to adequately resolve any situation—often with little to no argument. 

Negotiation Skills Examples:

Creativity

Creativity is a huge asset in any workplace—and the more creative you are when showing your creativity in an interview process, the better! Creativity describes thinking innovatively, generating new ideas, and finding new and untested solutions. 

Creativity Examples:

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail describes an employee with attention to thoroughness and accuracy in completing tasks. Employees who are detail-oriented never underestimate nor miss the smallest specifics. Those with a high attention to detail are great at editing and correspondence—or any task that is too important to have even the smallest mistake or oversight. 

Attention to Detail Examples:

Tech Savviness + Computer Skills 

It's safe to say that nearly any job requires some level of proficiency in using technology and adapting to new tools. While more physical jobs won't emphasize computer skills, any position requiring email, spreadsheet, or internet-based work will require tech-savviness. 

Technology + Computer Skills Examples:

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence describes one's approach to understanding and managing emotions—both their own and of those around them. Emotional intelligence, especially in the workplace, is important because it helps create positive social interactions. It helps employees to better relate to those around them, enabling them to progress in their careers by working well alongside others. 

Emotional Intelligence Examples:

Networking

Networking skills include the building and maintenance of professional relationships. This includes one's ability to confidently connect with others in professional settings. 

Networking Skills Examples:

Conflict Resolution

Nobody wants to get embroiled in a tense conflict at work, but it happens. Those with strong conflict-resolution skills are experts at resolving disagreements and fostering positive relationships. 

Conflict Resolution Examples:

Decision-Making

The average person makes upwards of 35,000 decisions every day, so everyone has experience with decisions. Employees with this set of skills are confident when making sound decisions based on thoughtful analysis and judgment. 

Decision-Making Skills Examples:

Self-Motivation

Just like teamwork is a huge transferable skill in a workplace that prioritizes collaboration, self-motivation is important in roles that require a great deal of independent, self-sufficient work. 

Self-Motivation Examples: