1. 1 Transferable Skills: Key to Professional Resumes & Interviews Karen Powell Career Services Center www.careers.wwu.edu OM 280 ~ 360.650.3240 M – F; 8 am – 5 pm

2. 2 “Secret” to demonstrating your value…. Use the Employer’s “Language” to Communicate Skills

3. 3 Identify Your Skill Sets Content skills Specific skills acquired on the job or in major (i.e. WCE, Practica) Self-management skills How you perform your work Transferable skills Can be a combination of above & other skills

4. 4 What are transferable skills? Skills from the variety of life Gained through work experience, travel, volunteer activities, internships, hobbies, education & home life “Transferable” because they travel with you from job to job May be “soft” skills; people/interpersonal, cognitive, practical

5. 5 Do you have them? Yes! Begin to think about them Build a list Backtrack over the past How do present experiences relate to future goals?

6. 6 Do they count? Yes! Employers hire people: who have people skills who can think analytically and creatively who will contribute to the team Employers & education will teach you the “specific content” skills, but don’t have the time or energy to teach the intangible skills

7. 7 “Transferable” Skills Administrators Desire in Teachers Verbal/Written Communication Teamwork Motivation/Initiative Leadership Interpersonal Technology Proficiency Dependability Flexibility/Adaptability Organization Honesty/Integrity Problem-Solving Foreign Language; Multi-Cultural Sensitivity Work Ethic

8. 8 Entries from Current Listings… “Competency in both written and oral English” “Ability to adapt to change and remain flexible” “Willingness and ability to contribute new ideas” “Ability to model positive behavior” “Ability to use necessary equipment, machinery, tools, or software”

9. 9 Change your language from Duties to focus on skills… Nanny: “Provide care for two active children” to “Communicated proactively with parents about charges’ discipline and behavior.” Barista: “Prepare coffee orders to customer specifications” becomes “ Collaborate with team members to provide quick, pleasant and accurate service” Cannery: “Stem and package frozen strawberries” “Conversed in Spanish with co-workers using culturally sensitive strategies”

10. 10 Collect Experiences to Communicate Skills/Traits Leisure activities Volunteer Work Professional & Other Positions

11. 11 Resources Workshops Individual Consultations Mock Interviews Special Events www.careers.wwu.edu

12. 12 Questions? Thank You!