How to talk about your transferable skills when looking for a job

In the evolutionary labor market today, general skills are in great demand. According to the LinkedIn report in 2025, communication, customer service, management and leadership classified among the five main skills that employers are actively looking for. However, many professionals – in particular high support – are looking for their transferable skills in a way that feels convincing, relevant and persuasive.

The key to standing out on a crowded market is to make a story that explains why your various experiences and forces are active. Whether you do a career pivot, you are looking for a leadership role or you do not transmit a new industry, your ability to tell a convincing story about your transferable skills is what distinguishes you.

Here is how to build a strong and confident story that positions your transferable skills as a competitive advantage.

Step 1: Understand what the transferable skills are and why they count

Transferable skills refer to a versatile capacity that can be applied in different roles, industries and contexts. Unlike technical skills linked to a specific function, transferable skills – such as problem solving, adaptability, leadership, communication and teamwork – have consulted professionals to navigate changing environments, collaborate effectively and contribute to commercial success, whatever their industry.

In fact, as automation and technology reshape industries, transferable skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking become even more precious, because these man centered capacities are difficult to automate.

In addition, 84% of companies are ready to hire and form a candidate who lacks skills required if they demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt. This means that you don't need a perfect match to get your next opportunity – you just need to assert your potential.

Step 2: Identify and have your transferable skills

The first step to build your story is what skills tell the story of your career. Use these guidelines to identify your transferable skills:

• What do people thank you?
• What types of challenges do people bring you?
• What aspects of your work boost the most?
• What results have you delivered consistently on different roles?

By recognizing the models of your strengths and the impact you create, you can start identifying the skills that define your career.

The current categories of transferable skills include:

Communication + Customer Service: Verbal and written communication, active listening, public speaking, interpersonal skills, customer satisfaction.
Leadership + collaboration: team management, conflict resolution, decision -making, coaching, delegation, networking.
Solving problems + critical thinking: analytical thinking, logical reasoning, troubleshooting, innovation, decision -making.
Adaptability + technology: learning agility, resilience, digital literacy, information management, online collaboration.

Once you've identified your best transferable skills, it's time to connect them to your story.

Step 3: Use a narration frame to present your skills

The stories tell and sell – they make your experiences memorable and persuasive. Instead of presenting your skills as chips, use a narrative arc that shows your value in action.

Use this 4 -part frame to develop a convincing case study:

1. The situation: start with the organization, the project or the challenge. What problem were they confronted with? What was at stake?
2. Your observation: What have you noticed that others have neglected? What overview did you bring?
3. Your approach: What measures have you taken to solve the problem? How did you apply your skills to create a solution?
4. The results: What happened following your actions? How did your work create a measurable impact?

Step 4: Reflect the language of work or the opportunity

When requesting a new role, language is important. One of the greatest errors that high accompaniments are committing is not to translate their skills in terms that correspond to the work description.

How to apply the skills mirror technique:

First examine the description of the position and highlight key skills and qualifications.
Then identify your relevant transferable skills that correspond to these qualifications.
Finally, use the employer's language when describing your experiences.

For example:

Employment requirement: “In search of a team player with solid skills in problem solving.”
Your framing: “I exceed in collaborative problem solving, work in the departments to identify the bottlenecks and implement process improvements.”

This subtle change facilitates the hiring of managers to see how your history align with their needs.

Step 5: Tadre the gaps in skills with confidence

Many professionals hesitate to apply for roles where they do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. However, research shows that women apply for 20% less jobs than men, often because they hold back unless they meet all requirements, while men generally apply after only 60%.

If you miss a direct experience, use strategic refutations to position your strengths and adaptability.

Example of refutation:

“I understand that my history may not be aligned perfectly with all the requirements. However, my expertise in (transferable skill) allowed me to (impact an example), and I am convinced that my ability to learn quickly and adapt will allow me to contribute significantly in this role.”

Hiring managers do not necessarily want a candidate who checks each box. They want someone who can solve problems, communicate effectively and adapt to new challenges.

Have your story. Your career tells the story of the contributions you have made and that you are about to do. By identifying your transferable skills, by supervising them with convincing stories, reflecting the language of the labor market and admitting the gaps with confidence, you position yourself as a powerful candidate independently of your industry or your experience.

The possibility of communicating your value is itself a transferable competence. So, while you are preparing for your next career move, consider the story that your skills tell and make a plan to start sharing this story more widely.