Marketable job skills can be broken down into five basic categories -- skills sets -- that job-seekers can use in showing applicable skills from one job/career to the next.

Not sure how to use transferable skills? Make sure you read Strategic Portrayal of Transferable Skills is a Vital Job-search Technique so you know how to best use transferable skills in your job-search.

Below is a list of five broad skill areas, which are divided into more specific job skills:

Communication: the skillful expression, transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas.

• 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 and Planning: the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs.

• 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: the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict, relating to and helping people.

• 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 and Leadership: the ability to supervise, direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals.

• 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: the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction.

• 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

Go back to Quintessential Careers: Transferable Skills