Plan your career
Transferable skills
Transferable skills are general skills you can use in many jobs. You gain these skills from previous jobs, projects, voluntary work, sport, your home life, hobbies, and interests. They enable you to be adaptable and flexible in case you need to change your job.
What are employers looking for?
As well as IT, numeracy and good communication skills, these are some of the common skills employers want their staff to have:
- problem solving
- organising
- working to deadlines
- management and leadership
- negotiating
- motivating people
- making decisions
- research skills.
In your job applications and interviews, employers will be really impressed if you can provide examples of when you used these skills in different jobs. This shows that you're adaptable and can bring useful skills to a job straight away.
How can I show employers I've got the skills they need?
If you’re planning a career change, look at the skills mentioned in job adverts. Which have you got and which do you need to work on? Change your CV format so that it lists your skills first, and not your education or previous jobs.
Talk to an adviser
I just wish I'd heard about the National Careers Service sooner!
How can I get extra advice?
If you'd like more help in finding your transferable skills, contact one of our National Careers Service advisers. 
