Transferable skills are often referred to as “portable” or “universal” skills because they are utilized in numerous situations and because they are obtained through various sources (such as school, work, volunteer activities, etc.), deliberately or unintentionally. Examples of transferable skills follow. You may wish to circle the skills you possess to incorporate into a resume or cover letter, or to examine career options.
Key Skills:
- Attending to Detail
- Being Punctual
- Collaborating
- Cooperating
- Enforcing Policies
- Enlisting Help
- Implementing Decisions
- Instructing Others
- Making Decisions
- Managing Money/People/Time
- Meeting the Public
- Negotiating
- Organizing
- Public Speaking
- Reporting Information
- Setting & Meeting Deadlines
- Writing Effectively
Creative/Artistic:
- Dancing
- Drawing
- Performing/Acting
- Presenting Artistic Ideas
Dealing with Data:
- Analyzing Data
- Auditing Records
- Being Detail-Oriented
- Budgeting
- Calculating/Computing
- Checking for Accuracy
- Classifying Things
- Comparing
- Compiling
- Defining Needs
- Evaluating
- Extracting Important Information
- Forecasting
- Investigating
- Keeping Financial Records
- Observing/Inspecting
- Predicting
- Recording Facts
- Researching
- Synthesizing
- Taking Inventory
Leadership Abilities:
- Coordinating Tasks
- Delegating Responsibility
- Directing Others
- Handling Details
- Influencing Others
- Initiating New Tasks
- Making Decisions
- Managing/Directing Others
- Mediating Problems
- Negotiating Agreements
- Planning
- Running Meetings
- Selling Ideas/Products
- Solving Problems
Using Hands:
- Assembling Things
- Building Things
- Constructing Buildings
- Driving/Operating Vehicles
- Good with Hands
- Observing/Inspecting
- Operating Tools/Machines
- Repairing Things
- Using Complex Equipment
Using Words & Ideas:
- Articulating
- Communicating Verbally
- Corresponding with Others
- Facilitating Group Discussion
- Imagining Alternatives
- Providing Appropriate Feedback
Working with People:
- Being Sensitive
- Caring For Others
- Confronting Others
- Counseling
- Demonstrating
- Describing Feelings
- Developing Rapport
- Helping Others
- Interviewing
- Listening
- Mentoring
- Negotiating
- Perceiving Nonverbal Messages
- Persuading
- Representing Others
- Supervising
- Teaching
- Understanding
Personality Traits:
- Dependable
- Enthusiastic
- Flexible
- Friendly
- Hard-working
- Intelligent
- Learns Quickly
- Patient
- Persistent
- Pride in Doing a Job
- Responsible
- Results-Oriented
- Self-Motivated
