5 Tips For Building Your CV Around Transferable Skills

An impressive CV not only highlights your stellar achievements in your previous jobs but also conveys the skills that will allow you to go beyond the technical requirements of the position you are applying for.

Short story; I had been actively job hunting perusing various job descriptions hoping that I would find something intriguing and exciting to apply. A certain job caught my eye – it was a marketing officer job yet I have been a sales officer for a couple of years. There was a shred of doubt looming at the back of your mind: your experience is a little out-of-the-box.

Have you ever been in the same position?

Perhaps you’re making the move from one industry to another. Or, maybe all of your experience has been in the non-profit sector, and you’re switching to a tech start-up. Regardless of these specifics, it will probably take a little more elbow grease to prove you as a no-brainer fit for the position.

How?

By highlighting transferable skills on your CV.

Read more as I delve deeper into how I navigated through this issue.

1. Critically Analyze the Job Description

Be thorough with the job description. As you look it over jot down the words and requirements that are repeated or stand out.

Does the phrase “critical thinker or problem solver” crop up a few times? Has the description emphasized needing someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment? Write those things down.

2. Start With the Keywords

As you customize your CV, make sure you refer back to the list you created when you examined the job specification. These are the keywords you want to incorporate in your resume as you discuss your transferable skills.

If an employer mentions specific skills, it’s safe to assume they want someone with those particular skills. Employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to look for specific keywords. If you don’t use the exact same keywords, there’s a good chance your CV may not get you called in for an interview.

3. Mention Actual Achievements

Draw attention to your transferable skills. Create a section that enumerates these and describe how you have applied them to achieve results. You can also list these soft skills under each role you’ve previously taken on.

This will help recruiters decide if you are a good fit for a similar role. If you’ve had experience managing a team and the role you are applying for requires leadership, it pays to expound on that specific skill.

4. List Specific Courses or Certificates Related to the Relevant Transferable Skills

Did you pursue a short course? List it in your CV. Earning a certification demonstrates your passion and provides evidence of your specific expertise and skills. Including them on your resume can make your job application stand out to potential employers and set you apart from your peers.

5. Emphasize how your Personality Fits the Role

Aside from the right skills, more companies these days are also looking for the right personality fit. Pay attention to the personality traits the position requires. Do they need someone who can collaborate effectively, or do they prefer independent workers? These traits can make up for technical skills that you have yet to acquire.

Bottom line

Taking the time to highlight your transferable skills on your CV can help an employer understand how and why you’re the right person for the role.

Need help with your CV?

Consider a professional CV writer who can help you identify your transferable skills and give you strategies for showcasing them throughout your job searching process!

 

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