Career Handbook
7th Edition

Career Handbook

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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:

  1. strong ability
  2. some ability
  3. 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
the skillful expression, transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas.

Research & Planning
the search for specific knowlege and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs.

Human Relations
the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict, relating to and helping people.
Speaking effectively Forecasting, predicting Developing rapport
Writing concisely Creating ideas Being sensitive
Listening attentively Identifying problems Listening
Expressing ideas Imagining alternatives Conveying feelings
Facilitating group discussion Identifying resources Providing support for others
Providing appropriate feedback Gathering information Motivating
Negotiating Solving problems Sharing credit
Perceiving nonverbal messages Setting goals Counseling
Persuading Extracting important information Cooperating
Reporting information Defining needs Delegating with respect
Describing feelings Analyzing Representing others
Interviewing Developing evaluation strategies Perceiving feelings, situations
Editing   Asserting

Organization, Management & Leadership
the ability to supervise, direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals.

Work Survival
the day-to-day skills which assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction.
Initiating new ideas Implementing decisions
Handling details Cooperating
Coordinating tasks Enforcing policies
Managing groups Being punctual
Delegating responsibility Managing time
Teaching Attending to detail
Coaching Meeting goals
Counseling Enlisting help
Promoting change Accepting responsibility
Selling ideas or products Setting and meeting deadlines
Decision making with others Organizing
Managing conflict Making decisions
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