What Are Transferable Skills and How Can You Leverage Them in Your Career?

In today’s fast-paced job market, where roles evolve and industries shift, one thing remains constant: the value of transferable skills.

Transferable skills can include both soft skills like collaboration, communication, and problem-solving, as well as hard skills such as data analytics, project management, and coding. These versatile abilities can be applied across a wide range of jobs and industries.

As new innovations and technologies emerge, employers see professionals with a broad, adaptable skill set as more resilient and resourceful. While specific tools or platforms may become outdated, foundational skills like critical thinking, digital literacy, and cross-functional collaboration remain essential.

Companies increasingly prioritize these capabilities because they signal adaptability, leadership potential, and the ability to contribute from day one—regardless of your current role. They are also effective when navigating complexity and driving results in hybrid or global work environments. 

Transferable skills have therefore become a key differentiator in hiring decisions. By actively developing these skills, professionals can expand their career options and stay competitive in a constantly evolving workforce. Although you may not be able to control how your industry changes, you can ensure that you grow with it.

Let’s explore what transferable skills are and how you can build and leverage them to unlock your career potential.

What Are Transferable Skills—and Why Do They Matter?

Although we’ve already touched on a few, understanding which transferable skills matter most, and how they apply in different contexts, can help you identify and strengthen your toolkit as you grow, switch, or even advance in your career.

“Transferable skills are the abilities and strengths you carry with you from one job to the next. Ideally, they can be applied more broadly than to just one specific role,” says Barbara Zerillo, Ed.D., director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at Post University.

To name a few more examples, some of the most valuable skills in today’s workforce include digital fluency, critical thinking, and cross-cultural communication. 

These skills can be used in a variety of ways. As Barbara notes, digital fluency is becoming increasingly important as companies seek employees who can quickly adopt and adapt to new tools, especially in the age of AI. 

For example, a marketing professional who can seamlessly navigate emerging analytics platforms demonstrates a skill that’s just as valuable in a journalism role, where data tools are also widely used.

Critical thinking, on the other hand, enables professionals to analyze problems, evaluate solutions, and make sound decisions, regardless of the industry they operate within. 

Transferable skills matter because they improve day-to-day job performance, future-proof your career, and position you for advancement or even allow you to pivot to a new field. They signal potential—someone with strong communication, critical thinking, or leadership abilities can require training on specific tools but are still able to contribute strategically from day one.

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How Can You Build Transferable Skills?

To get started working on your own transferable skills, it’s important to know what you have in your arsenal, and which skills you need to develop.

“A critical first step to identifying gaps in your portfolio is assessing what your current skills are,” says Barbara. 

Maybe you’re great at leading teams but want to improve your digital fluency or data analysis skills. Or perhaps you excel at project management and critical thinking but need to work on your communication abilities. Everyone has strengths and areas for improvement.

When reflecting on your skills, Barbara suggests asking yourself: “Which skills are transferable outside your company or industry? If there are gaps, what opportunities can you take to close them?”

To start closing those gaps, you might explore online courses or gain professional certifications, which can help deepen your expertise in areas like communication or data literacy.

For a deeper approach, consider applying to business school, where graduate degrees focus on developing key transferable skills, including teamwork, leadership, negotiation, and strategic thinking. Studying at business school you also get opportunities to work on real-world problems with peers from diverse backgrounds, while communication skills are honed through group projects and classroom discussions.

Brian Rothschild, assistant dean of Graduate Studies at Stevens Institute of Technology, feels that business schools are an excellent environment for developing these key transferable skills. By engaging in real-world scenarios and working alongside peers from diverse backgrounds, students have the opportunity to hone their leadership and teamwork skills, critical components of transferable expertise. 

“Leadership development runs throughout our curriculum, with students regularly practicing strategic thinking across various scenarios and industries,” he says.  “This exposure to diverse business perspectives happens not just through coursework but through interaction with peers from different backgrounds, industries, and global regions.”

Outside of the classroom, professionals can also gain transferable skills through practical experiences, such as volunteering, freelancing, or participating in internships. “You might volunteer for cross-functional projects or take on leadership roles,” Barbara explains.

Internships in particular are great for those who want to transition into new roles or industries, providing the opportunity to build relevant experience while being hands-on. Additionally, Interning allows you to explore different fields and roles that may be outside your current expertise, helping you identify what transferable skills you need to further develop.

How To Make Your Transferable Skills Stand Out

Professionals who demonstrate strong transferable skills are often at a significant advantage. These skills help job seekers stand out, especially when they don’t have direct industry experience. 

“A candidate might lack direct experience in a sector but can convincingly demonstrate how their analytical thinking, leadership approach, or communication expertise will translate effectively to new challenges,” Brian says. 

Highlighting transferable skills on a resume, during job interviews, and on your LinkedIn profile are some ways that candidates can showcase them to potential employers. 

Both Barbara and Brian agree on the importance of framing these skills in the context of measurable results. For example, instead of merely listing tasks or responsibilities, it’s crucial to demonstrate how your skills led to successful outcomes. When preparing for interviews, it’s helpful to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your experiences. This style allows you to showcase how you’ve used your transferable skills to solve problems or drive success. 

As Brian advises, “LinkedIn summaries and cover letters should be customized to directly connect your transferable skills and the specific job responsibilities. Throughout all communications, focus on quantifiable results and adaptability.”

Employers also look for transferable skills through behavioral interviews and case study-based assessments. These methods allow hiring managers to assess how candidates apply critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership. “Employers seek individuals whose approach to work complements the organization's operating philosophy,” Brian points out. 

By evaluating transferable skills in terms of cultural alignment, companies can identify candidates who will thrive in their work environment and contribute to long-term success.

The Long Term Value of Transferable Skills 

As you continue to build and refine your transferable skills, remember that these skills not only make you a more attractive candidate but also prepare you to thrive in the future of work. 

Whether you’re aiming to advance in your current career, pivot into a new industry, or simply stay adaptable in a changing job market, transferable skills will be your foundation for success.

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