Showcasing your transferable skills during a job interview just got easier with these 4 tips.
It's in every job seeker's delight to ace a job interview and get hired faster than your favourite drive-through fast-food restaurant serving burgers. However, while a job interview offers a chance to prove that you're well-qualified and will bring value to the company, most job seekers underestimate the value of showcasing their transferable skills. So what do you need to know to sell your transferable skills?
Let's find out...
Why are transferable skills important during a job interview?
If you're applying for a job, you want to ensure that your recruiter or the hiring manager can see that your transferable skills are a good fit for the job. But what are transferable skills? And why are they necessary during a job interview? Here's what you need to know:
Transferable skills are those that can be applied across multiple industries, they're relevant to different careers. Examples include analytical skills, attention to detail, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. Transferable skills are different from what are known as "hard skills," which are specific abilities related to a job, like knowledge on specific computer software.
Read also: Hard skills may get you hired, but these are the soft skills that will get you promoted.
For instance, someone who has studied business administration might have learned how to manage an office or write a report, but those same skills could also be applied in any industry where there is a need for someone with strong leadership qualities and organizational ability.
Because of this broad applicability, most employers want to hire employees who can do a specific job and also want candidates who can thrive in the workplace. And one of the best ways to show that you can thrive in your workplace is to demonstrate how your transferable skills will benefit the company.
This is especially true when hiring managers consider candidates for positions involving innovation, collaboration, or change management — all things that require interpersonal communication and problem-solving abilities more than technical knowledge.
So, how can you identify your transferable skills?
Now that you know why your transferable skills are so important, the next step is figuring out what they are. One way to do this is to make a list of everything you've done in your life so far, from your childhood hobbies and extracurricular activities to your work experience. This list will help you identify what skills you've acquired from each activity and give you a place to start when showcasing your transferable skills during a job interview. Another way to identify your transferable skills is to use the "STAR" interview response technique. When you use this approach, you'll break down how you've applied your skills in each of your past jobs.
Showcasing your most critical transferable skills
1. Use stories and anecdotes
The best way to showcase your transferable skills during a job interview is to use stories and anecdotes to prove that you possess these attributes. While you should always be honest in your interview responses, you don't need to provide specific statistics or numbers to prove your points. Instead, try to find more anecdotal ways to showcase your skills. This will allow you to be as truthful as possible while still showcasing your transferable skills.
For example, let's say you're applying for a sales job and your interviewer asks if you're a good salesperson, one way to respond is to discuss your past sales experience and explain how you've helped your company to increase sales. An even better way, however, would be to mention a story about a time when you increased sales at work. If you have a story like this, it's best to lead with it during your job interview.
Read also: Why you need to be a good storyteller to be successful at job interviews.
2. Mention a skill you're currently improving on
Not every transferable skill you showcase during a job interview will be something you've mastered. It's often better to mention a skill you're currently working on improving. This will demonstrate that you're eager to learn new things and willing to put in the effort to improve. If you're currently taking a class that will help you to develop one of your transferable skills, mention it during your interview.
If you haven't worked in the same field before, include stories of how you learned new skills quickly and efficiently - whether through online courses or hands-on experience. Share examples of projects you completed and any you're working on at the time of the interview (but which could easily be completed if hired).
3. Use an example of a time you used a specific skill
When discussing a transferable skill, it's not enough to say that you possess it. You also need to demonstrate that you have that skill. One of the best ways to do this is by sharing an example of a time you applied that skill.
For example, if you're applying for an engineering position, share with the interviewer how you helped a friend solve a problem or came up with the solution on your own. This will demonstrate that you can work independently and think critically about problems.
4. Talk about successful teamwork experiences (no matter what industry)
Teamwork is essential for many jobs, and sharing stories about times when working with other people has been beneficial will show that you're collaborative and eager to work with others to accomplish goals together. It's important to remember that your interviewer wants to see how you work with others. They want to know how you communicate with people, how you handle conflict, and how collaborative you are.
To sum it up
Your transferable skills are a vital part of any job interview. To showcase your transferable skills during a job interview, it's important to do your homework on the company and position you're interviewing for. It also helps to be specific and provide examples whenever possible. It doesn't hurt to mention things like career aspirations and personal goals as they relate to the job interview.
Be sure to add universal skills such as problem-solving, initiative, and creativity along with any relevant computer or technical skills to your list of transferable skills for a strong presentation. Remember that you want to provide an expansive view of yourself and all you can offer during a job interview.
