The Value of

Transferable Skills
Lisa Schwartz and Christiana Wu
Associate Directors, Working Professional and
Alumni Programming

May 15, 2014

Learning Objectives

Why transferable skills are important

How to identify your transferable skills

Communicating the value of your transferable skills

Skills for a modern economy

Rapid & continual change in industries & roles

Increased career change

Need for versatility & adaptability

Transferable skills..

Skills used in one job or career that can also be used in

another

Can be leveraged for advancement or career change

Need to know them, sharpen them, sell them

What Counts?

-Hard skills quantifiable i.e. software skills, language,

-Soft skills subjective, harder to quantify i.e. leadership, team
management, flexible, entrepreneurial, analytical
-Industry knowledge Healthcare, Financial Services,
-Functional knowledge program management, client service,
B2B management.
-Subject matter expert hobbies, passions.

*Cambridge Dictionaries Online

Examples of Transferable Skills
Transferable Skill Identification
Integrative Problem Solving
Commitment
Leadership
Analysis
Attention to detail
Flexibility
Learning quickly
Communication
Team Player
Cross Functional team work
Perspective/Interaction
Make or Buy Decisions
Presentation Skills
Cultural competence
Dealing with ambiguity
Managing multiple priorities
Personal Impact
Persuasiveness/Influencing
Creative Thinking/Innovation
Quantitative Analysis
Negotiation
Customer Focus
Planning & organizing
Strategic Thinking/Strategy Development
Academic Achievement
Technical Expertise: Financial Modeling,
Analysis, Valuations, Merger
Competitive Analysis
Computer Literacy
Benchmarking
Balancing the needs of various customers
while keeping eye on the big picture
Networking
Key Skills by Function/Field/Industry

Consulting
Big Picture (like seasoned insider) Curiosity
Rooting Out Problems Structured Thinking
Ready, Willing and Able Analytical Problem Solving
Client Facing Creativity
Financial/Quantitative Skills (stories Achievement Promotions/Career
in the numbers) Progression
Industry/Functional Expertise Results-oriented
Teamwork Leadership
Initiative Extracurricular activities / active
involvement in something other than
school/work
General Management
Leadership Adaptability
Strategic AND Implementation Cross Functional Team Experience
Enthusiasm Quantitative Skills- Comfort with
Maturity numbers
Strategic Thinking Team Player (Leader and Member)
Analytical Skills / Analytical Thinking Results-oriented
Intellectual Curiosity
Key Skills by Function/Field/Industry

Banking
Quantitative Analysis Judgment
Familiarity with balance sheets, Highly motivated
spreadsheets, & income Teamwork
statements Competitiveness
Very traditional work environments Social comfort with clients
Modeling High level of commitment
Energy & Stamina Perform under pressure
Specific business/industry
knowledge
Thrive in fast pace
Private Wealth Management

Sales Communication Skills

Strong client facing Self-motivation
Financial Market Awareness
Portfolio Construction
Key Skills by Function/Field/Industry

Marketing
Visionary sense / Creativity Strong Project Management Skills
Understanding of why specific Risk Taking
brands stand out and what qualities Consumer Savvy
make brands stand out Teamwork
Comfort with numbers analyzing, Leadership
speaking about, presenting Analytical thinking / Analytical skills
Cross functional skills - leveraging Communication skills
opinions of everyone, getting input Solutions-oriented
from Market Research, Finance, Decision Making abilities
Sales, Product Supply

High Tech (Technical)

Strong with numbers Flexibility
Project management skills Comfortable with change
Creative problem solving Cutting edge
Multi functional team involvement Entrepreneurial
Personal Skills

Drive Confidence
Assertiveness Motivation
Character Judgment
Values People Sensitivity
Creativity Integrity
Intelligence Energy
Initiative Self-awareness
Persistence Open-mindedness
Identify and communicate the value of your skills

Review past accomplishments, successes & feedback

Highlight benefits & impact

Align with market needs & determine transferability

List your accomplishments

Oversaw strategic market analysis and implementation plan of a new product

line, leading to inclusion into CEOs strategic growth priorities.
Analyzed key quantitative and qualitative operations metrics to reduce gap
between existing service level and necessary online fulfillment expertise.
Led an initiative across multiple internal departments (Product, Sales,
Operations) to reformulate the criteria and metrics used by the core
Manufacturing Group to evaluate long-term sustainability of processes.
Developed and presented recommendations around new process
improvements to senior leadership, leading to approval to implement by end of
fiscal year with projected savings of $50M within first 2 years.
Transferable Skills

Strategic planning
Analysis
Cross-functional leadership
Leading change
Presentation to senior leadership
Align skills with needs

Analyze job postings and descriptions

Understand needs, gaps & opportunities

Sell your most relevant features -

Q&A