How can transferrable skills help you get a new job?

COVID may have taken your job, but it hasn’t taken your abilities. Find out what other jobs might be available to you based on the skills you already have!

With lockdowns imposed unpredictably and restrictions applied with little warning, it is no wonder many businesses struggled to survive through the pandemic. According to the ABS, 72% of businesses reported less income due to social distancing measures.

In April 2020, the ABS recorded 1.8 million people had worked reduced or zero hours and underemployment hit a historic high of 13.8%. Only one month later, job vacancies fell 43% below February figures.

It can be useful for those who have lost their jobs or have been working less during the pandemic, to learn where they could work instead if their industry is lacking opportunities for career development. It’s possible to possess skills that are highly valuable to a company who wish to diversify their workforce.

Skills that are used in one job, and can be used in another, are called transferrable skills. Knowing what transferrable skills you possess is important when you’re trying to step into a new industry.

If your job has been affected by COVID-19, keep reading to learn what industries you may be able to join, based on the skills you already have.

What are common transferrable skills?

Before we dive into the jobs you could take on, you’ll need to know what transferrable skills are so you can identify and showcase them on your CV.

Common examples of transferrable skills include:

• Customer service
• Communication (written and/or verbal)
• Planning
• Negotiating
• Training and coaching
• Computer skills
• Managing employees or teams/Leadership skills
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Creativity
• Relationship building

These are skills that are not unique to certain industries. Think about the role you’re applying for and ask yourself what tasks you will need to perform; this will give you an idea of what transferrable skills will be relevant to add to your resume or talk about in the interview.

Example One: A skill that was not listed above is heavy lifting. Some roles in manufacturing require you to be physically fit to perform the tasks. While you may currently be a café worker, you might go to the gym regularly and have the strength required for the manufacturing role, which makes you a great candidate. Thinking outside the box can be beneficial in this instance.

Example Two: You’ve worked in a busy retail store for many years and pride yourself on giving great service, you love talking to people. This natural desire to build relationships and service your customers would transfer well to a role in recruitment, such as a  Resourcer .

Where could I go?

Industries hit hardest by COVID-19 in Australia are:

• Accommodation and food services
• Arts and recreation
• Information media and telecommunications

Luckily, there are plenty of skills that can be transferred from these industries. While not all jobs listed below are in decline, it’s worth noting what jobs might be available to you if you’re like the 41% who are looking for a  career change  this year.

While it may seem like you are taking a step backwards or sidestepping, starting an entry-level position gives you the chance to experience the industry, build a strong network and gain valuable knowledge.

You can then work your way up through a pathway that you didn’t previously have access to. You might even want to continue developing your skills through external studies. In this case, follow us on  LinkedIn  and  Instagram  where we’ll share tips about free courses you could take to build your skillset.