Are you currently changing careers? You’re in luck. Transferable skills are the key to a successful career change, especially if you don’t have prior experience.
In fact, 81% of employers believe we should prioritize skills over degrees. Studies show that the next era of work will be about skills rather than pedigree. At Merit America, we firmly believe that work experience and education should not determine someone’s earning potential.
In this article, you’ll learn the definition of transferable skills, 10 transferable skills, and how to highlight skills on your resume.
What Are Transferable Skills?
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A transferable skill is a professional competency that is useful in a variety of roles or professions. Transferable skills enable individuals to adapt and thrive in diverse professional environments.
These skills, which include effective communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking, can be applied across various industries and job roles.
These skills foster personal growth, as cultivating these skills encourages continuous learning and adaptability in an ever-evolving job market.
Overall, transferable skills are essential for career development and lifelong success.
10 Transferable Skills Employers Want in 2025
1. Communication
Effective communication refers to the capacity to convey information to others using speech, writing, or other channels. Proficient communication skills enable you to understand when and how to pose questions, interpret body language, and engage with individuals in various situations.
In a professional environment, employers appreciate strong communicators for their capability to collaborate with others and advance projects.
For instance, the ability to communicate clearly is crucial not only in customer service but also in project management, marketing, and leadership positions.
2. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the disciplined process of actively analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered from observation, experience, or communication. It involves the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.
This transferable skill is essential in work life, as it enables individuals to navigate complex issues, question assumptions, and assess the credibility of sources. By fostering an open-minded approach and employing systematic processes, critical thinking empowers individuals to make informed choices and engage constructively with diverse perspectives.
3. Problem Solving
Problem solving is the ability to create solutions. This transferable skill enables you to solve complex issues even if you don’t have direct prior experience. In fact, problem solving requires you to draw upon prior experiences to make informed decisions.
Problem solving is vital in the professional setting, especially because it’s associated with a growth mindset. Employers want workers capable of identifying problems or inefficiencies and creating solutions that progress the business.
4. Teamwork
Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group of individuals working together towards a shared objective, harnessing each member’s unique skills and perspectives.
Team players take the initiative to communicate openly, share ideas, and lend assistance when needed, all of which are essential for helping the team overcome challenges and achieve its goals effectively.
5. Relationship-building
Relationship-building describes the ability to make productive connections. Relationship-building is important in the workplace because it fosters collaboration, enhances communication, and increases overall productivity.
When colleagues develop strong interpersonal connections, they are more likely to share ideas, provide support, and work together harmoniously towards common goals.
6. Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is a professional’s ability to engage competently with digital projects, like software and the internet.
Examples of digital literacy include the ability to send an email, view a video online, and evaluate an internet source for credibility. Employers may ask for specific literacies, like using a specific program related to the job.
7. Leadership
Leadership describes the ability to lead and inspire team members. Effective leaders inspire and motivate employees, fostering a sense of purpose and direction that enhances overall productivity. Leaders set clear goals and expectations, which helps team members understand their roles and how their contributions fit into the larger organizational vision.
Effective leadership is crucial for navigating challenges and change. Leaders who can make informed decisions, adapt strategies, and support their teams during transitions are essential for maintaining stability and growth within the organization.
8. Project Management
Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and directing resources for projects big and small.This skill is essential because resources are often minimal and must be used strategically.
Project management is a transferable skill, but you should consider further training if you want to become a project manager. Our project management Career Track equips you with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed as a project manager, including a Google Project Management Certificate.
9. Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is often an overlooked transferable skill. This transferable skill refers to the ability to meticulously observe, analyze, and comprehend the finer points of tasks and situations.
It encompasses a range of competencies, including accuracy in completing assignments, the capability to spot errors before they escalate, and the discernment to identify inconsistencies in data or processes.
10. Creativity
Creativity is the ability to apply your unique background, education, and experiences to think about a problem and solution differently.
Creativity is a transferable skill that you possess. How do we know? You are thinking creatively about how your work experience translates to other professions. Keep reading to learn how to highlight your transferable skills in interviews.
1. Reflect upon what you do well & think of concrete examples
Before filling out any job application, consider your strengths and examples of when you demonstrated those strengths. You can think of this as your “what I do best” list.
For instance, if you are a teacher, you can speak to how you’ve built authentic relationships with multiple stakeholders (from children to co-teachers to parents!).
2. Read the job description carefully
A robust job description should include information about the organization, the role, the primary responsibilities, and requirements. As you review the job description, go back to your list of “what I do best” and see if there is alignment between the two.
3. Describe, give examples, and relate back to the role
Interviewers may ask you to share your transferable skills during the interview or application process. Here are three steps to approach this question:
- Name a skill you possess in the job description (“I can manage multiple priorities at once”).
- Share specific examples or evidence to support the fact that you have that skill (“as evidenced by my ability to attend graduate school while working full-time”).
- Connect it to the role (“If I were to step into the role of the executive assistant, I would be able to utilize this skill when balancing all the executive team members’ calendars”).
4. Decode interview questions
During an interview, the interviewer may ask you about a transferable skill, such as your ability to facilitate virtual webinars. Answering this type of question can be easy if you follow the “Describe, give examples, and relate back to the role” formula.
But sometimes, the interviewer will phrase a question in a way that might cause you to pause. For example, “Tell me how you would facilitate a 200-person webinar for prospective learners.”
If someone asks you a question that starts with “tell me,” it’s okay to ask for a moment to think. Go back to your strengths, and think of one that could be an applicable example to showcase.
5. Share how you will learn new skills
Most interviewers will ask you about an area of growth or where you might need support in this new role. Knowing and owning your growth areas is essential; no one expects you to know how to do everything.
Name an authentic skill gap, then share an example of the steps you took to learn something new in the past.
1. Reflect upon what you do well & think of concrete examples.
Before you fill out any job application, it is essential to think through your strengths and examples of when you demonstrated those strengths. You can think of this as your “what I do best” list. For instance, if you are a teacher, you can speak to how you’ve built authentic relationships with multiple stakeholders (from children to co-teachers to parents!).
2. Read the job description carefully.
A robust job description should include information about the organization, the role, the primary responsibilities, and what requirements are —at Merit America, we call this section “What Makes a Successful Candidate.” As you review the job description, go back to your list of “what I do best” and see if there is alignment between the two.
3. Describe, give examples, and relate back to the role.
Interviewers may ask you to share your transferable skills in the interview or application, and here are three ways you can approach this question: First, it is important to name a skill that is both on your “what you do best list” and in the job description (“I can manage multiple priorities at once”).
Then, you need to be able to share specific examples or evidence to support the fact that you have that skill (“as evidenced by my ability to attend graduate school while working full-time”). Lastly, you connect it to the role (“If I were to step into the role of the executive assistant, I would be able to utilize this skill when balancing all the executive team members’ calendars”).
4. Decode interview questions.
During an interview, the interviewer may ask you about a transferable skill, such as your ability to facilitate virtual webinars. Answering this type of question can be easy if you follow the “Describe, give examples, and relate back to the role” formula.
But sometimes the interviewer will phrase a question in a way that might throw you —”Tell me how you would facilitate a 200-person webinar for prospective learners.” If someone asks you a question that starts with “Tell me …,”it’s okay to ask for a moment to think since these two questions assess the same thing. Go back to your strengths, and think of one that could be an applicable example to showcase.
5. Share how you will learn new skills.
Most interviewers will ask you about an area of growth or where you might need support in this new role. Knowing and owning your growth areas is essential; no one expects you to know how to do everything. Name an authentic skill gap, and then share an example of the steps you took to learn something new in the past.
Interviewers are hoping you are the right candidate for the role – we are optimistic that you will join the team. Our responsibility is to assess if you have the right skills to succeed in this role. Remember, we are not looking for a purple squirrel; we are looking for people who will impact the role and organization. Good luck!
Transferable Skills Checklist
Are you still unsure which transferable skills you can highlight in a job interview? Don’t worry, we’ve put together a few examples for you to use as a guide. These are categories that you can use to brainstorm your strengths and work-related skills:
- Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
- Oral/Written Communication
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Digital Technology
- Leadership
- Professionalism/Work Ethic
- Career Management
- Intercultural Fluency
Interested in joining our team? Check out our current Merit America job openings!