You’ve got skills. You’ve had jobs and spent a lot of time in classrooms. Each day you’re gaining what prospective employers call transferable skills: ones that you already possess that transfer from one position to another.
Don’t discount the importance of your previous experience when writing your professional documents. You should be able to concisely articulate your qualifications to an employer. These include skills that would transfer into your next position. It doesn’t matter that you may have gained them this summer because you were the manager of Doughnut Emporium or because you cleaned the cages at Pet Palace. You will bring these skills with you, and employers care because it means less time spent training you.
Many of these transferable skills fall into the following categories: communication, intellectual, interpersonal, organizational, physical, personal, and creative skills.
There are many. Here are some examples.
Communication
Public speaking
Written expression
Foreign languages
Global and humanistic perspective
Persuasive (sales & fundraising)
Teaching/mentoring/coaching
Intellectual
Analytical
Decision-making
Information gathering
Interpreting data
Research
Synthesizing and summarizing information
Critical reading and thinking
Identifying patterns and integrating complex information
Math and statistics
Logical reasoning
Content specific (mining, geography, etc.)
Computer software programs
Interpersonal
Leadership
Conflict resolution
Delegating with respect
Diplomatic
Listening
Tactful
Team player
Problem solving
Rapport with various audiences
Organizational
Prioritizing
Multitasking
Supervisory
Time management
Detail oriented
Punctual
Financial (record keeping, auditing, budgeting)
Event planning
Coordinating among groups
Implementation of strategic plans
Physical
Building and construction
Operating machinery and tools
Eye-hand coordination
Stamina
Equipment maintenance and repair
Heavy lifting
Personal
Energetic
Flexible
Goal-oriented
Open-minded
Respectful of diversity
Responsible
Self-motivated
Quick learner
Strong work ethic
Works well independently
Creative
Artistic
Innovative
Intuitive
Design
Illustration
Photography
Marketing
Visual representation of concepts