What Exactly Are Transferable Skills?
Think of transferable skills as your career superpowers. They are talents and abilities you've developed that are valuable across any industry or role. You didn't just learn them in one job; you’ve been honing them through all kinds of experiences—at work, in volunteer positions, and even in personal projects.
Common examples include:
These are the skills every employer is looking for, and a transferable skills resume is designed to show them off.
The Blueprint: Building Your Transferable Skills Resume Step-by-Step
Ready to craft a resume that truly reflects your potential? Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Become a Job Description Detective
Before you write a single word, find a few job descriptions for the role you want. This is your treasure map. Read them carefully and highlight the key skills and qualifications they mention repeatedly. Are they looking for a "strong communicator" or someone with "experience managing multiple projects"?
Make a list of these desired skills. This is your target.
Step 2: Mine Your Past for Experience Gold
Now, look back at your own work history. Forget about job titles for a moment and think about what you actually did.
Brainstorm every achievement you can think of, no matter how small it seems. This is the raw material for your resume.
Step 3: Group and Theme Your Skills
Look at the two lists you've created: the skills the employer wants and the skills you have. Find the overlap!
Group your skills into 3-5 relevant themes. For example, your themes might be:
These themes will become the core sections of your new resume.
Step 4: Prove It With Accomplishment-Driven Bullets
Under each skill theme, you can't just list the skill—you have to prove it. Use bullet points to provide concrete examples of how you've used that skill.
A simple formula for this is the STAR method:
Instead of: Responsible for social media.
Try: Grew the company's Instagram following by 40% in six months by developing and executing a content calendar focused on user-generated content.
See the difference? The second one is a powerful accomplishment that proves your skill.
Putting It All Together: A Winning Structure
A transferable skills resume (sometimes called a functional resume) flips the traditional format on its head. The emphasis is up top.
Here’s a simple structure to follow:
The Final Polish
Once you have all the content, the final step is making sure it looks clean, professional, and is easy to read. A cluttered resume can undo all your hard work.
You can use a clean, modern template to ensure your layout is top-notch. For those who want a polished final product without the design hassle, using a dedicated service like a resume builder can be a smart move to make sure your resume stands out visually.
By focusing on your transferable skills, you're not just writing a resume; you're telling a new, more powerful story about your career. You’re showing employers your potential, not just your past.