Writing a CV can be daunting, especially when you’re trying to showcase your transferable skills on a CV. Transferable skills are those that you’ve acquired and developed through different experiences, whether that be through school, work, or activities. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make sure that you highlight these transferable skills on your CV. In this blog post, we’ll explore 5 effective ways to showcase your transferable skills on a CV.
1) List all of your jobs, even if they’re not directly related to your current field
When applying for a job, it can be tempting to only list jobs that are directly related to the position you’re applying for. However, by doing this you might be missing out on highlighting important transferable skills that you’ve acquired in other roles. It’s important to remember that while job titles and duties may change, there are many core competencies and transferable skills that can be developed in any role.
To demonstrate your transferable skills on a CV, you should list all of your jobs – even those that aren’t related to the current field. This will give potential employers a full picture of your experience, highlighting the skills and abilities you’ve developed throughout your career.
When listing each job, be sure to include details about the duties and responsibilities you had in each role, and make note of any transferable skills you used in the process. These can include problem-solving abilities, communication skills, teamwork, leadership, organizational skills, and more. By highlighting these on your CV, you’ll be able to demonstrate the breadth of experience and capabilities you bring to the table.
Don’t be afraid to list all of your jobs, even if they’re not directly related to the current field you’re applying for. The transferable skills you’ve acquired in these roles will give potential employers an understanding of your experience and demonstrate why you’re a great fit for the job.
2) For each job, list the main duties and responsibilities you had
When preparing your CV, it is important to clearly identify your past jobs and their associated duties. This helps to showcase the transferable skills you have gained from each role, which can be valuable in a new role. Be sure to include information on any relevant projects, tasks, or responsibilities that you completed while in each job. For example, if you managed customer service in one role, make sure to list the key customer service tasks you were responsible for. If you managed a team, be sure to list the team-building activities and strategies you employed.
In addition to job duties, list the skills and competencies required to complete the tasks. For example, customer service tasks may require communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. The more transferable skills you list, the easier it will be for employers to quickly identify your qualifications for the job.
3) For each job, identify the transferable skills you used
No matter what job you’ve held in the past, there are always transferable skills that you can use on a CV. To make sure you’re highlighting these effectively, take time to list all of your past jobs and the duties and responsibilities associated with each one. Once you have this list in front of you, think about which transferable skills you used in each role.
For example, if you worked as a cashier at a grocery store, you may have used organizational skills, customer service skills, and problem-solving abilities. If you worked as a bartender, you may have used communication skills, decision-making skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Transferable skills are incredibly valuable, as they show employers that you have a wide range of experiences that can be applied to the job you’re applying for. Make sure to highlight these specific skills on your CV, as they can give you an edge when applying for a new job.
4) Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your transferable skills
When you’re putting together a CV, it can be difficult to highlight your transferable skills in a way that stands out. However, if you use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate how you used those skills, you can make it clear that you have the capabilities employers are looking for.
For instance, if you worked in retail while studying, instead of simply stating “customer service” as a transferable skill, you could provide an example of how you used that skill in a challenging situation. You could explain how you diffused a conflict between two customers or how you were able to upsell a product.
In addition to helping the reader understand how you used your transferable skills, these anecdotes can also add some personality to your CV. If an employer remembers something about you from your CV, you’re more likely to get an interview.
Therefore, when writing your CV, don’t just list your transferable skills – give specific examples and anecdotes that will help the reader understand how you used them. Doing so will not only help demonstrate your value as an employee, but also make sure you stand out from the crowd!
5) Use action verbs to describe your transferable skills
One way to emphasize your transferable skills on a CV is to use powerful action verbs when discussing your achievements. Action verbs help you show that you possess the skills you’re claiming and allow potential employers to better visualize your capabilities. Commonly used action verbs include “collaborated,” “implemented,” “designed,” “initiated,” “devised,” “coordinated,” and “spearheaded.”
When selecting action verbs to describe your transferable skills, it’s important to select ones that accurately reflect the tasks you completed. For instance, if you supervised a project, instead of using the generic “led,” opt for something more specific such as “oversaw.” If you formulated solutions for a problem, consider using “resolved” instead of just “solved.”
The following is an example of how to use action verbs to describe transferable skills:
“Developed and managed a system that improved workflow by 30%, increasing productivity and team morale.”
Using action verbs on a CV is a great way to demonstrate that you have the skills and abilities to succeed in the job you’re applying for. So, next time you update your resume, take some time to select strong action verbs that will help you highlight your transferable skills.