One of our Talent Managers at GetMyFirstJob, Chloe has put together some fantastic suggestions on how to build your CV using your transferable skills. Check it out!

What are transferrable skills?

Firstly it is important for us to cover what transferrable skills are. Transferrable skills are skills that an individual can apply to adapt to a new job role or setting. In particular, if you are a school leaver or someone who does not have a lot of work experience, your transferrable skills will be what really aid an employer’s decision.

What transferrable skills might you have?

Communication skills

There are two types of communication skills, written and verbal. If you are a school leaver, your written communication skills can be portrayed if you possess an English Language GCSE or A-Level. Other qualifications like BTECs and other GCSEs that involve a lot of coursework will also show your skills! In the workplace there are many times where your written communication skills will come into good use. For example, you may be required to write reports, blogs, emails or articles as part of your daily job role. Verbal communication skills can be portrayed in your ability to speak both concisely and clearly to colleagues and customers in order to convey your point.

Teamwork

Some people prefer to work alone whilst others work well in teams. It is important to remember, that regardless of your preferences at some point in your career you will be required to work as part of a team. In the workplace teamwork can come in the form of working within your immediate team, or across departments on collaborative projects. If you lack work experience, you may not have worked within a team in the same way as the role you are applying for. But, you will still be able to demonstrate this transferable skill; some examples of how you could do this are below:

  • Playing in a sports team
  • Working in a team of bartending staff
  • Solving a problem or completing a project within a team a school>
  • Working alongside others to work towards an end goal like the Duke of Edinburgh award.

    • Problem solving

    A sought-after skill is the ability to solve problems by providing solutions. You may have never solved a problem within the workplace, but you can still think of a time where you have managed to solve an issue within a different environment whether it be at school/college or within an extra-curricular activity you partake in.

    Time management

    Time management is one of the primary skills required to be successful in any workplace scenario. In the case of an Apprenticeship, you will be studying and working full-time, meeting deadlines for both the workplace and your qualification tasks. Therefore, time management is a critical skill required for you to succeed. Again, if you are a school or college leaver, this can be a difficult skill for you to evidence. Some examples are detailed below:

  • Working part-time alongside study
  • Meeting coursework hand-in deadlines for BTEC courses
  • Balancing revision for a number of different subjects

    • How can transferrable skills boost your CV?

    Being able to articulate what skills you have and how these skills can be transferred into the role in which you are applying for is what will make a strong application. The more transferrable skills you have, the more diverse you become as an employee. Remember that with diversity comes flexibility, meaning you are able to take on new tasks and progress into different areas. The best way for you to demonstrate transferrable skills within an application and interview process is for you to use past examples.

    Apprenticeships Advice & Tips