Changing careers is a big step, but it’s more common than you think. The average person moves from one career to another several times, and almost half of employees are considering quitting in the next year. If you’re planning a career change, dust off your resume and think about the skills that could help you in a new role. This guide will explain the benefits of highlighting transferable skills and list the top transferable skills for a career change.
What Are Transferable Skills?
Transferable skills are applicable across a variety of industries and roles, which makes them especially valuable for those considering a career change. Job-specific skills are necessary only for a particular role. However, transferable skills are professional competencies that apply more to how you work in general than what you do daily.
For example, QuickBooks is a job-specific technical skill for an accountant, while transferable skills include solution-finding, critical thinking, and organization.
Benefits of Highlighting Transferable Job Skills on a Resume
Because transferable skills are applicable across industries, they show your versatility as a candidate. Strong communication skills are a significant plus no matter what role you’re in, and hiring managers are looking for candidates who can work as part of a team and contribute to the company culture.
While candidates can learn technical skills during onboarding training or through classes and certifications, transferable skills require more work and are more complex to teach. While you can undoubtedly lead management or leadership skills, having these competencies often leads to better results.
Key Transferable Skills to Include on Your Resume
Communication skills
Clear, professional communication is critical in the workplace, and this skill is listed in almost every job description. Highlight your communication skills, including verbal and written, on your resume to show potential employers that you can interact with coworkers and clients in a productive, professional manner.
Example: “Collaborated with external vendors, negotiating service agreements that resulted in a 10% decrease in annual supply costs.”
Leadership and teamwork
Leadership and teamwork skills are critical in management and executive positions, where you must motivate others and collaborate across departments. Mention these competencies on your skills list, but work them into job responsibilities bullets with metrics to provide more context.
Example: “Liaise between the information system (IS) security officer and an information technology (IT) team of 15 specialists to ensure compliance with federal standards.”
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Problem-solving and critical thinking include analytical skills, creativity, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Provide concrete examples of how you used these capabilities in previous roles.
Example: “Applied critical thinking skills to analyze project data, resulting in a 15% reduction in delay.”
Time management and organizational skills
Managing your time and staying organized positively impacts productivity and efficiency and ensures deadlines are met — all of which are great things for the company. Showcasing these skills indicates to a hiring manager that you can prioritize tasks and manage your workload.
Example: “Coordinated schedules for a team of 12 employees, ensuring project completion and 99% on-time deliverables over six months.”
Technical proficiency and computer skills
Being comfortable with technology and having basic computer skills is valuable in almost all positions and industries. Even hands-on jobs like the trades require employees to track inventory, fill out project sheets, and perform other tasks on a computer or tablet. Some of the most in-demand tech skills across industries include database administration, project management, and working with AI tools.
Example: “Utilized advanced Excel functions to automate reporting, reducing manual data entry time by 35%.”
Customer service and interpersonal skills
Whether you’re working directly with guests as a customer service representative or need to rely on interpersonal skills to work as part of a team, the ability to build relationships, demonstrate empathy, and resolve conflicts is key.
Example: “Developed strong client relationships by providing personalized service, leading to a 30% increase in repeat business.”
How To Create a List of Transferable Skills
If unsure of your transferable skills, conduct a self-assessment to create a master list. Reflect on your past roles, listing times when you solved a problem or presented an unconventional solution. Online personality tests and career assessments can also help with this step.
Colleagues, mentors, and former supervisors can also suggest what transferable skills to include in your resume and where you excel. Explain what roles you’re targeting in your career change to get more detailed feedback.
How To List Transferable Skills on Your Resume
Your resume should include a list of your transferable skills. Depending on the role and your experience, it can be helpful to split up your skills into two lists: technical proficiencies and transferable soft skills. This gives you a place to work in keywords from the job description for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and ensures the hiring manager sees qualifications that are a good fit before reading your resume in detail.
The profile summary and work experience sections should also include transferable skills. Focus on those most relevant to the position or mentioned in the job description.
Examples of Transferable Skills for Resumes
Transferable skills examples for career changers
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Customer service
- Leadership
- Project management
- Solution-finding
- Technical proficiency
- Time management
Transferable skills examples for entry-level positions
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Creativity
- Emotional intelligence
- Flexibility
- Initiative thinking
- Interpersonal skills
- Multitasking
- Research skills
- Self-motivation
Transferable skills examples for experienced professionals
- Budget management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Decision-making
- Negotiation
- Performance management
- Process improvement
- Project oversight
- Relationship building
- Risk assessment
- Team leadership
Resume Examples With Transferable Skills
Example 1: From Hospitality to Project Management
Emma Rivers
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Chicago, IL | LinkedIn
Professional Summary
Organized and resourceful hospitality manager with over eight years of experience in team leadership, problem-solving, and customer service. Seeking to transition into project management by leveraging strong organizational skills, team coordination, and a commitment to quality service. Proven track record of managing complex projects, resolving conflicts, and improving customer satisfaction.
Professional Experience
Hospitality Manager
Grand View Hotel, Chicago, IL
March 2015 – Present
- Coordinated and supervised a team of 15 in day-to-day operations, achieving a 20% improvement in guest satisfaction scores through effective team training and quality control.
- Implemented time management strategies and streamlined processes, reducing daily operational tasks by 25% and improving service delivery speed.
- Developed and managed weekly schedules and project timelines, ensuring all guest-facing initiatives were completed on time and within budget.
- Resolved guest issues effectively, demonstrating problem-solving skills that contributed to a 30% increase in repeat business.
Event Coordinator
Elegant Affairs, Chicago, IL
July 2012 – February 2015
- Planned and executed 50+ corporate and private events, coordinating cross-functional teams to meet client expectations and project goals.
- Managed vendor relationships and negotiated contracts, resulting in a 15% reduction in overall event costs.
- Maintained detailed project timelines and checklists, ensuring seamless event execution and achieving 98% on-time delivery for client projects.
Key Skills
- Project coordination and scheduling
- Team leadership and delegation
- Conflict resolution and customer service
- Time management and organization
- Budgeting and vendor negotiations
Certifications
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (In Progress)
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communications | June 2012
University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Analysis
This resume effectively demonstrates Emma’s transferable skills, such as team leadership, time management, and budgeting, all of which are crucial in project management. Quantifiable achievements, like improving guest satisfaction and reducing event costs, show her impact in previous roles. The skills and experience are framed to highlight project coordination, organization, and customer service—transferable skills that support her transition into project management.
Example 2: From Retail Management to Sales Account Management
Lucas Thompson
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Austin, TX | LinkedIn
Professional Summary
Customer-focused retail manager with seven years of experience in team leadership, sales strategy, and relationship-building. Transitioning to sales account management to apply strong interpersonal skills, client relationship management, and sales acumen. Recognized for consistently exceeding sales targets and fostering client loyalty.
Professional Experience
Retail Manager
Peak Performance Sports, Austin, TX
August 2016 – Present
- Led a team of 12 associates, conducting regular sales training and performance reviews to increase overall productivity by 18%.
- Developed and implemented customer loyalty programs, contributing to a 25% increase in repeat customer purchases and improving brand engagement.
- Maintained accurate inventory records and optimized stock levels, resulting in a 20% reduction in inventory costs.
- Built and sustained relationships with high-value clients, ensuring satisfaction and loyalty, which led to a 15% increase in quarterly sales revenue.
Assistant Manager
Highpoint Outdoors, Austin, TX
July 2014 – August 2016
- Supported the store manager in achieving a 95% customer satisfaction score through conflict resolution and tailored product recommendations.
- Analyzed sales data to adjust store layouts and promotions, increasing foot traffic by 10% and improving conversion rates.
- Collaborated with the sales team to identify customer needs and provide personalized product solutions, resulting in a 30% increase in accessory sales.
Key Skills
- Client relationship management
- Sales strategy and revenue growth
- Team leadership and training
- Data analysis and sales optimization
- Inventory management and cost reduction
Certifications
- Certified Sales Professional (CSP), National Association of Sales Professionals | 2023
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business Administration | May 2014
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Analysis
Lucas’s resume emphasizes transferable skills relevant to sales account management, such as client relationship management, data analysis, and sales strategy. The achievements reflect his success in driving customer loyalty, reducing costs, and increasing revenue, all valuable in a sales context. By presenting his retail management skills as relevant to account management, he demonstrates the adaptability and people skills required in his desired role.
What is the best resume format to highlight transferable skills?
Any resume format can highlight transferable skills. A traditional resume with a critical skills list can ensure that a hiring manager sees your professional experience and transferable skills. This format also provides more opportunities to work on the essential skills of other sections. A combination resume is also a good option for changing careers or needing work experience.
How can you reference transferable skills in a job interview?
Interview questions that ask you to describe a time when you solved a problem or de-escalated a conflict provide a valuable opportunity to talk about your transferable skills. Suppose you're making a significant career change. In that case, the interviewer will likely ask about your motivations, which provides another chance to explain how your background has prepared you for the new role and what transferable skills you can bring to the position.
How can you incorporate transferable skills in a cover letter?
Demonstrate your transferable skills in your cover letter by providing a short example from previous roles. For example, explain how your leadership skills resulted in a lower employee turnover rate or how you used your project management skills to streamline operations.
The cover letter is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to prioritize your top qualifications and skills and communicate clearly. Spend extra time ensuring that this document is polished, error-free, and presents a well-crafted narrative.
Certified Master Coach and Academy Certified Resume Writer
Carolyn Couch is a Certified Master Coach, Academy Certified Resume Writer, and Certified Etiquette Consultant. Over the past 20 years, she has helped thousands of professionals start, reinvent, and advance their careers with confidence.
