How to Identify Your Transferable Skills
When working with career coaching clients, one of the most common concerns I hear is the fear that they don’t have the relevant skills to transition into their desired job. The truth is, most of the time, that fear isn’t warranted. People often have a wealth of transferable skills that can be applied to their next role—it’s just a matter of recognizing them, articulating them effectively, and positioning them in a strategic way on your professional materials (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn).
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing clients gain confidence as they realize how many skills they actually have. It’s a process that can feel empowering, and it’s often a breakthrough moment in their job search.
Step 1: Identify Your Transferable Skills
Start by making a comprehensive list of both your hard and soft skills. Don’t limit yourself to your current role—include experiences from previous jobs, volunteer work, or even educational experiences.
Here are two online tools I love for identifying transferable skills:
1. O*NET Online
Type an occupation into the search bar (top right corner), then review the "Tasks," "Technology Skills," "Work Activities," "Skills," and "Knowledge" sections. If you’re struggling to find a specific role, start with a broader search using the "Find Occupations” > “Job Family" feature.
2. LinkedIn Career Explorer
Go to the "Explore Job Transitions" section (about halfway down the page). Enter your city and current or past job title, and LinkedIn will provide a list of skills associated with that role on the lefthand side.
Step 2: Compare Your Skills to the Requirements of Your Target Job
Once you’ve compiled your list of skills, use these same tools to research the skills required for your target job. Compare the lists side by side. You may be surprised at how many of your current skills align with the requirements of your next role.
It’s important to be honest with yourself during this process—sometimes, you may realize there’s a skill gap that requires additional training or certification. But by identifying what you already have and what you still need to learn, you’ll be in a much better position to target your efforts.
Another great resource for identifying key skills is job boards. Look at 10-20 job postings for your target role and note the qualifications and requirements mentioned across all of them. What skills appear frequently? How do they match up with the skills you already possess?
Closing
By taking the time to identify and articulate your transferable skills, you can dramatically shift your perspective on what you bring to the table. Even if your target role seems like a leap, you may already be much closer than you think.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! How did using these tools impact your job search process? Were you able to identify skills you hadn’t realized were transferable? If you found any part of this process challenging, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help guide you through it!