Soft skills and transferable skills are an important part of your job application. Employers will want to understand the personal abilities you have that make you right for the role.
But what are soft and transferable skills – and what is the difference?
Your work history and qualifications are important parts of your job application – but employers also want to know your personal skills. These are made up of soft skills and transferable skills, but what is the difference?
Soft skills
Soft skills are linked to your personality and the way you interact with other people – making them useful for job roles that involve working as a team or with members of the public.
Examples include teamwork, confidence and adaptability.
Transferable skills
Transferable skills are to do with the way you behave in certain situations.
Problem solving, multitasking and flexibility are key examples – and are all skills that are useful for/in a variety of job roles.
Key skills to boost your application
Adding soft skills and transferable skills to your CV will strengthen your job application – helping employers understand how you would benefit their business and cope within the job role.
Here are some of the key skills employers will look out for:
- Time management – showing up for work and meetings on time, sticking to breaks, and getting your work done on time. Good time management is about doing the most important tasks first
- Personal presentation – dressing appropriately for work
- Teamwork – being able to get on with the people you work with to get things done. A good team player is open, honest, listens, gives feedback and suggestions
- Attitude – staying positive at work even when things get difficult. Great examples include helping others, admitting when something goes wrong and learning from your mistakes. Employers like people who are positive, upbeat and have a ‘can do’ attitude
- Confidence – believing in yourself, your skills and abilities. All of these will help you work with people better and take on new tasks
- Communicating – good communication means you can listen, understand instructions, and put your point across without being aggressive
- Making decisions – gathering all the important facts, seeking advice, looking at the big picture and considering alternatives are all things that go into making a good decision
- Showing commitment – employers want people who are dependable, reliable, enthusiastic, and enjoy hard work
- Flexibility – it is a great asset if you can step outside your comfort zone and try your hand at something you have not done before.
Looking to boost your skills?
If there is a gap between your skills and those an employer is looking for, you can take a skills development programme or do some volunteering.
They are all great ways to boost your soft and transferable skills – and give you important qualifications and experience that will support your application.
Why not develop your skills with one of our employment programmes?
