The importance of transferable skills ‎

The labor market is constantly changing, and with it the necessary skills that candidates must have. The constant need to build on already acquired skills or adapt to a new position or another industry is becoming more and more tangible. ‎

One of the trends in the global labor market in 2023 is to seek candidates with increasingly diverse experiences and backgrounds. A skills-based approach to hiring speeds up time to hire and reduces process costs. It’s also a great way to increase diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. ‎

Essential transferable skills

There are skills that an employee can transfer from one position to another even when changing industries. These are called transferable skills and can be different from previous experience and education. Some skills that employers are looking for are the ability to communicate well, work in a team and adapt to change. ‎

Communication is important in a wide range of occupations, and depending on the requirements, verbal, non-verbal communication or public speaking skills may be required. ‎They can all be acquired from different activities, but are valuable for each subsequent ‎role.‎

Teamwork skills include the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. Effective teamwork requires several other qualities such as empathy, active listening, and strong communication skills. ‎

Adaptability skills are used to work toward goals even when teams, projects, management, or products change. Employers hire flexible candidates who can quickly learn new skills and processes to ensure work is done quickly, efficiently and with a positive attitude.‎

The skills of the future

With artificial intelligence on the rise in 2023, more and more employers are looking for people who have the skills and can use it skillfully. Because these skills are more specific, they are most sought after for IT-related roles. ‎‎But almost every position in every industry will require the use of technology at some level. Technological literacy is the ability of a person to navigate new technologies. Employers value candidates who can quickly learn new tools and software to complete tasks. ‎

Of increasing importance, regardless of the industry, is the ability to be able to motivate oneself. Taking the initiative to pursue new tasks and propose ideas shows commitment to work and often leads to career advancement.‎

Trust and empathy

Large companies face a huge challenge in building and maintaining a healthy environment. Trust and honesty in the workplace help employees give their best. Having strong empathy and emotional intelligence promotes a healthy work environment and helps build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. Since many jobs involve working or interacting with other people, empathy is a skill that is desirable for most employers.