transferable skills

USAGE SUMMARY

"transferable skills" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to skills that are applicable to different occupations or situations and can easily be adapted or transferred from one to the other. For example, "Tim's prior experience working in customer service gives him a great foundation for learning the new skills required for his current job, with many transferable skills such as problem-solving and communication skills".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have been trying to ascertain my transferable skills without luck (I have only ever worked as a copy-editor).

The Guardian - Money

We also talked about my transferable skills, and I realised that I have more valuable experience than I previously thought, which has boosted my confidence at work.

The Guardian

The programs focus on the transferable skills that I have utilized and internalized, such as critical thinking, problem solving, adaptability, effective communication, and team building.

HuffPost

Coming from a research background, I have found that the skills I gained while doing my Ph.D. have been very transferable.

Science Magazine

Hospice chaplains, in my experience, have been notable recruits for disaster response...a faster death for many...as they have many transferable skills and understand a chaplaincy of 'presence'presence

Huffington Post

The term transferable skills has been thrown around a lot over the past several years.

Science Magazine

A claim that quantitative skills are an example of "highly transferable skills that are valued by employers" is also unsupported.

F1000Research

There was recognition that such skills were transferable to other contexts: "I have these experiences and strategies to use again elsewhere".

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Addressing these findings demands a much-needed rebalancing of the curriculum to reinstate essential practitioner skills transferable to a range of situations and crises; skills that have long been viewed as integral to social work by the international community.

The Guardian

The phrase "transferable skills" has become a buzzword, as has the equally enigmatic phrase "soft skills".

Science Magazine

In meeting these challenges, these former postdocs said that they were well served by their transferable skills, the broader professional experience that they gained as a postdoc, resilience, and adaptability.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a resume, explicitly list your "transferable skills" and provide examples of how you've used them in previous roles to demonstrate their value to potential employers.

Common error

Avoid simply listing "transferable skills" without providing concrete examples. Instead of saying "I have strong communication skills", describe a situation where you successfully used communication to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "transferable skills" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific category of skills that can be applied across different jobs or industries. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "transferable skills" refers to abilities that can be applied across various jobs, industries, and situations. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in career-related contexts. These skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership, are highly valued by employers because they demonstrate adaptability and potential. When showcasing these skills, it's crucial to provide specific examples from past experiences. Recognizing and highlighting your "transferable skills" can significantly enhance your job search and career prospects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adaptable skills

Emphasizes the adaptability aspect of the skills, focusing on their ability to be modified for different situations.

versatile skills

Highlights the versatility of the skills, indicating they can be used in multiple roles or industries.

portable skills

Focuses on the ease with which the skills can be carried from one job to another.

cross-functional skills

Highlights skills applicable across different functions within an organization.

multipurpose skills

Emphasizes the multiple purposes the skills can serve in various contexts.

general skills

Refers to skills that are broadly applicable and not specific to a single job or industry.

universal skills

Indicates skills that are valuable in almost any work environment.

broadly applicable skills

Highlights the wide range of situations where the skills can be effectively used.

interchangeable skills

Suggests skills that can be easily swapped or used in place of others.

Skills with wide applicability

This phrase emphasizes the scope of applicability, highlighting how widely the skills can be used across various settings.

FAQs

How can I identify my "transferable skills"?

Reflect on your past experiences and identify the core abilities you used. Consider skills like problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and leadership, and think about how these could be applied in different contexts.

What are some examples of "transferable skills"?

Common examples include communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, time management, and critical thinking. These skills are valuable across various industries and roles.

How do I showcase my "transferable skills" on a resume?

Use action verbs to describe how you've applied these skills in previous roles. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your skills.

Why are "transferable skills" important in a job search?

They demonstrate your adaptability and potential to learn new tasks quickly. Employers value candidates who possess skills that can be applied to a variety of situations, making them valuable assets to the team.