What are transferable skills?

by Michael Cheary

Not sure you have the right skills for a role? You might be surprised…

Transferable skills are a great way to show you’re a great fit, even if your previous experience doesn’t seem like a perfect match. And the best part? Everyone has them.

If you’re not sure how to make transferable skills work for you, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about what they are, why they matter, and how to make them stand out on your job application.

Looking to change careers? Download our career change CV template now:

What are transferable skills?

Transferable skills are a core set of abilities that can be applied to a wide range of different jobs and industries. They’re not tied to one specific role, but can be taken with you wherever you go.

They’re usually picked up over time, and can be gained from almost any life experience. This could be previous jobs, charity or volunteer work, taking a course, your hobbies, or even just managing tasks at home.

Why are transferable skills important?

Transferable skills are incredibly valuable to employers. While technical abilities show you can do a specific task, transferable skills show how you’ll perform in the workplace and fit in with the team. They’re often called ‘soft skills‘, but their impact is anything but soft.

They demonstrate what you can bring to a role and how much you’ve learned from past experiences. This is especially useful if you’re looking for entry-level positions or changing careers, as they help bridge the gap when you lack direct industry experience.

Highlighting these skills shows a hiring manager that you’re adaptable, a quick learner, and have the potential to grow with the company.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

What skills are transferable?

Many skills are transferable, but some are more sought-after by employers than others. These often revolve around how you work with people, manage your tasks, and approach challenges or conflict.

Some of the most common transferable skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. Essentially, if it’s a skill that isn’t tied to a specific piece of software or technical process, it’s likely to be transferable.

Transferable skills examples

Although this is by no means a comprehensive list, here are some great examples of transferable skills you can use in your application:

• Leadership
  This skill is extremely versatile. While it’s typically linked to management positions, being a good leader is valuable in almost every job. It could involve motivating others to achieve a shared goal, leading a project, or training a new team member. Even coaching a local sports team in your spare time counts as demonstrating great leadership.
• Teamwork
  Very few jobs exist in a complete vacuum. Being able to collaborate effectively with colleagues is crucial for success. Examples of teamwork could include working on a group project at university, coordinating with other departments in a previous role, or even volunteering as part of a committee.
• Communication
  Good communication is vital in any workplace. This isn’t just about talking – it’s about listening, writing clearly, and conveying your ideas effectively. You can demonstrate interpersonal skills by referencing times you’ve resolved a customer issue, presented to a group, or written a clear and concise report.
• Problem-solving
  Employers love candidates who can think on their feet and find solutions to unexpected challenges. You can show your problem-solving abilities by giving examples of when you identified an issue, analysed the possible solutions, and implemented a fix that had a positive result.
• Time management
  Time management is a vital skill for any role. It proves you can work to deadlines and complete tasks in the most effective way. Whether you’ve managed multiple projects at once, met tight deadlines in a retail role, or planned an event from start to finish, you’ll have examples of time management to reference.
• Prioritisation
  Prioritising tasks effectively is essential if you want to get anything done on time and to a high standard. You can prove you’re able to assess your workload and organise tasks by giving tangible examples, such as how you managed a busy period at work or how you used tools like to-do lists to stay organised.
• Adaptability
  The world of work is always changing, so employers want people who can adapt. This means being open to new ideas, learning new skills, and coping with changing priorities. Think about a time you had to learn a new piece of software quickly or when your role’s responsibilities shifted.
• Research & analysis
  Many roles require some level of research and analysis. This could be anything from gathering sales figures and creating a report, to doing market research for a university project. The key is to show you can gather, organise, and evaluate information to draw meaningful conclusions.

How can I demonstrate transferable skills?

OK, so you’ve identified your transferable skills. But how do you actually show them to employers? 

If you’re not sure which ones you should include for a particular role – check the job description. Employers will often explicitly state their criteria, and much of this is made up of soft skills.

Here’s how to highlight them at each stage of your application.

On your CV

Your CV is the first place to showcase your transferable skills. But instead of simply providing a transferable skills list – include concrete examples as well. Here’s how to include them (and where):

• Professional summary: Mention two or three of your top transferable skills right at the beginning of your CV.
• Skills section: Create a dedicated skills section where you can list your key abilities. For more on this, check out our guide to hard skills vs soft skills.
• Work experience: This is where you bring your skills to life. For each role, use bullet points to describe your achievements and link them to a transferable skill. Always back up your claims with evidence.

For example:

Don’t say: ‘Great leadership skills’

Do say: ‘Excellent leadership skills, demonstrated by successfully managing a team of five volunteers to organise a charity event that raised £2,000’

Just make sure you can back it up. Recruiters will quickly realise if you’re not being truthful at the interview stage.

Career change CV template

In your cover letter

Your cover letter is the perfect place to expand on the skills you’ve listed in your CV. 

Choose one or two of the most relevant skills from the job description and dedicate a paragraph to explaining how you’ve used them.

Tell a short story that illustrates your ability. This makes your application more personal and memorable.

At an interview

During an interview, you’ll likely be asked competency based questions (e.g., ‘Tell me about a time when…’). These are your cue to talk about your transferable skills.

Use the STAR method to structure your answers:

• Situation: Briefly describe the context.
• Task: Explain what you needed to achieve.
• Action: Detail the steps you took.
• Result: Share the positive outcome of your actions.

This technique provides a clear, compelling story that demonstrates your skills in action.

Common interview questions and answers

Five personal qualities valued by employers

What words should I use on my CV?

How can I develop my transferable skills?

If you’re feeling like your transferable skills need some development – don’t panic. There are many ways to expand on them, and it often happens over time. Here’s how you can give your transferable skills a boost:

• Spot your weak spots

Be honest – are you a chronic procrastinator, or do you struggle speaking up in meetings? Pinpoint what could use a tune-up. Ask yourself (or a trusted friend or colleague) where you’d like some improvement.

• Take a course (or two, or three…)

Whether it’s a quick online workshop on teamwork, an evening class in communication skills, or a full-blown time-management bootcamp, there’s a course out there for just about everything – including ‘How Not to Cry in Front of Your Boss 101.’ (OK, maybe that one’s not real… yet.)

• Volunteer or join a group

Look for ways to practise skills outside of your day job – whether it’s through hobbies, volunteering, community groups, sports teams, or anything else. Every opportunity gives you experience working with others, managing your time, or solving unexpected problems.

• Ask for feedback (the helpful kind)

Nobody’s perfect, but feedback can help you get closer. Check in with your manager, mentor, or co-workers. A quick ‘Hey, how did I do on that project?’ works wonders and shows you’re open to improvement.

Remember, developing these skills isn’t about overnight perfection. It’s about small steps, regular practice, and a commitment to your personal development. 

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Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Here are our answers to some common queries about transferable skills.

What are the top 3 transferable skills?

While it varies by industry, three of the most universally valued transferable skills are communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Almost every job requires you to interact with others, tackle challenges, and collaborate to reach common goals.

Are transferable skills the same as soft skills?

They’re very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably. Soft skills refer to personal attributes that enable you to interact effectively with other people (like communication and empathy). Most soft skills are transferable, but not all transferable skills are soft skills. For example, knowing how to use Microsoft Office is a transferable hard skill.

How do I identify my own transferable skills?

Start by looking at your past experiences – jobs, education, hobbies, and even volunteer work. For each experience, think about the tasks you performed and what skills they required. Ask yourself questions like: ‘Did I work in a team?’, ‘Did I have to solve any problems?’, or ‘Did I have to manage my time to meet a deadline?’. This will help you build a list of your key transferable skills.

Which transferable skills should I include for a specific job?

The best way to figure this out is to study the job description. Employers will often list the key skills they’re looking for. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight the skills that match what the employer wants.

Ready to find a job you’ll love?

Understanding and highlighting your transferable skills can open up a world of opportunities. 

They prove your value to employers, even if you’re changing careers or just starting out. By showcasing these skills on your CV, in your cover letter, and at your interview, you can demonstrate your potential and prove you’re the right person for the job.

Remember, you’ve got more skills than you think. It’s just about learning how to talk about them.

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