Career Handbook
9th Edition
Transferable Skills
As you begin your job search, it is important that you know your own qualifications. Over the years you have developed many skills from coursework, extracurricular activities and your total life experiences. If you've researched topics and written, edited and presented papers for classes, you've used skills which are not limited to any one academic discipline or knowledge area but are transferable to many occupations. A prospective employer expects you to be able to apply the skills you have learned in college to the work environment.
Below is a list of five broad skill areas which are divided into more specific skills. Review the list and identify the skills you possess. You may even rate the skills indicating your ability in each area. Suggested rating scale:
- strong ability
- some ability
- enough ability to get by with help from others
Give examples of situations when you used each skill and describe specific results that support the skills you rated.
Communication |
| Speaking effectively |
| Writing concisely |
| Listening attentively |
| Expressing ideas |
| Facilitating group discussion |
| Providing appropriate feedback |
| Negotiating |
| Perceiving nonverbal messages |
| Persuading |
| Reporting information |
| Describing feelings |
| Interviewing |
| Editing |
Research & Planning |
| Forecasting, predicting |
| Creating ideas |
| Identifying problems |
| Imagining alternatives |
| Identifying resources |
| Gathering information |
| Solving problems |
| Setting goals |
| Extracting important information |
| Defining needs |
| Analyzing |
| Developing evaluation strategies |
Human Relations |
| Developing rapport |
| Being sensitive |
| Listening |
| Conveying feelings |
| Providing support for others |
| Motivating |
| Sharing credit |
| Counseling |
| Cooperating |
| Delegating with respect |
| Representing others |
| Perceiving feelings, situations |
| Asserting |
Organization, Management & Leadership |
| Initiating new ideas |
| Handling details |
| Coordinating tasks |
| Managing groups |
| Delegating responsibility |
| Teaching |
| Coaching |
| Counseling |
| Promoting change |
| Selling ideas or products |
| Decision making with others |
| Managing conflict |
Work Survival |
| Implementing decisions |
| Cooperating |
| Enforcing policies |
| Being punctual |
| Managing time |
| Attending to detail |
| Meeting goals |
| Enlisting help |
| Accepting responsibility |
| Setting and meeting deadlines |
| Organizing |
| Making decisions |
