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If you’ve spent any time in the job market over the last few years you’ve probably heard the phrase “transferable skills” thrown around. But what does that mean and how does it differ from any other kind of skill?

If you want to take your career to the next level, it’s important that you examine the skills you have and determine what is considered transferable and how you can leverage that to achieve the next milestone. Here is what you can do to improve your ability to transfer skills from one job to another.

Take Inventory

What do you already know how to do? You may think some of your existing skills are narrowly focused, but they may be able to be transferred to a new industry. For example, someone who has been working in the restaurant industry as a server definitely has the kind of customer service skills needed for a call center representative. Rather than focusing on the food service part of their job, they need to translate that experience to be about the customers.

Review the Requirements

When you’re reworking your skills to fit a new industry, make sure you’re taking a look at the requirements of the job. You can’t shoehorn experience into another industry if it really doesn’t fit. For example, if you’ve been working as an administrative assistant but the company needs someone with six years of accounting experience, you may not be able to rework your knowledge of spreadsheets to match exactly what they’re looking for.

Learn New Skills

Of course, you can always enhance your skills by learning new things. For example, if you do want to get into accounting, take some online courses to help enhance what it is you already know. You can leverage your education when you apply for jobs that are requiring the new skill set.

Improve Soft Skills

You should also focus on the soft skills when it comes to applying for jobs that are just outside your current skill set. These are skills that are natural, inherent traits such as communication, emotional intelligence, how quickly you pick up new things, reliability, and more. Focus on how these things will help enhance the company experience if they were to take a chance on you.

Do you have transferable skills that can help you land a new career? Contact Harvard Resource Solutions, now hiring for jobs in Troy MI. We can help you find what you’re looking for, or you can browse our open Michigan jobs today!