Newsletter Archives /Today's Career Voice - August 2010
The Secret to Climbing the Career Ladders: Transferable Skills
Climbing the corporate ladder can be tricky. With limited positions and lots of people who want them, it's important to distinguish yourself among your peers and do the best job possible to show you're ready for a fresh challenge. One of the best ways to be a good candidate for a promotion is showing off transferable skills, or the qualities that you have that will be applicable in the job you want.
What are transferable skills?
Transferable skills are the marketable skills that show what kind of worker you are and what kind of person you are to work with. They include things like communication, people skills, research, organization, planning, management and leadership. These skills help define who you are at work--how you handle responsibility, deal with people, approach and solve problems, etc.
Determine what skills are neede for your ideal position.
Think about your goal position and why you want it. Then consider what would make you an ideal candidate for the job. Do you need to develop your public speaking skills, or certain interpersonal skills? Perhaps you need to work on being better organized or planning more carefully. Maybe you need to focus on management--what is your style of managing conflicts, delegating responsibility, and coaching? Define who you are, and then decide how to match your skills to the job you want.
Learn how to demonstrate your skill set.
The good thing about trying to climb the corporate ladder is that you are regularly observed by the people who will decide what job you should do (or how long you stay where you are). Other employees you work with may even be asked what they think of you, so everything you do at work could be considered part of your job interview. It's important to make sure everything you do reflects not only who you are, but shows off the skills you have.
Listen to your cowokers.
Take some time to have candid conversations with some coworkers you trust about your strengths and weaknesses. They can help you get a better view of the strengths you can play up in your application and interview as well as help you understand how to improve in other areas and grow.
It's always hard to climb the corporate ladder, but understanding yourself and your skill set is an important first step. This will help you grow your existing skill set and identify areas to market yourself in. It will also help you confidently answer the daunting question, "What are your weaknesses," with cool confidence.
