If you feel that a lack of industry experience is holding you back from getting hired, you are not alone. In 2019, 12% of PARTICIPANTS surveyed* said that lack of experience was one of their largest barriers to gaining employment.
However most of us, including you, already have a broad set of skills gained throughout your life that can be applied to all types of work. We call these transferable skills.
The best thing about transferable skills is that you likely already have a tonne! Let’s unpack some common life experiences and how to demonstrate your transferable skills to a potential employer.
CARING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER
If you have taken time away from employment or school to care for a family member or children, think about the skills that you demonstrate in this important role. They may include:
Time management
Managing appointments or daily activities for your loved one or kids, as well as managing your own day shows that you can juggle multiple priorities.
Cooking and housekeeping
Skills gained through preparing meals for family members or cleaning the household can be directly applied to careers in hospitality and tourism.
Budgeting
Whether you managed income for one person or ten, the responsibility of managing cash flow shows that you are the right person for a range of administrative roles.
Extra tip: You may consider whether you are passionate about delivering care to others. A career in disability, social or aged care work may be for you, or even childcare!
PLAYING A SPORT
Participating in sporting teams shows dedication and motivation. During your sporting career you have likely learned:
Accountability
Attending training and game day shows to employers that you are reliable and can be accountable to contribute to a team.
Problem solving
Think of a challenging time that you have experienced on field or off. Maybe you had a disagreement with a team mate. How did you overcome it?
Communication and team work
During an interview employers will be looking to see if you will fit into their team culture. These experiences will help to demonstrate that you are able to adapt.
Extra tip: You don’t just have to be a player to have transferable skills from sports. Coaching a team shows that you have planning and leadership qualities, and arranging fundraisers may highlight that you have excellent organisation skills and can follow through on tasks.
TAKING A COURSE OR GOING TO SCHOOL
Much like participating in sports, attending classes shows great commitment, time-management and accountability. You have likely also gained skills in:
Listening and learning
Being able to listen to your teacher and take the information away and apply it is an excellent quality.
Personal motivation
Employers will value that you can work as part of a team as well as being able to work effectively alone. It is important to demonstrate that you are able to take responsibility, avoid distractions and achieve objectives.
Personal development
By showing interest in development opportunities, employers will see that you are enthusiastic and keen to take on new challenges.
Extra tip: Not ready to commit to a formal course? You can still demonstrate your passion for a subject by explaining how you use the internet to investigate and learn.
Need more help to articulate your transferable skills? Speak with our experienced Employment Consultants today! Give us a call on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392).
*Sureway PARTICIPANTS surveyed in December 2019.
The examples in this article may not apply to your personal experiences and circumstances.
