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 serviceCommunication (written and/or verbal)Planning NegotiatingTraining and coachingComputer skillsManaging employees or teams/Leadership skillsCritical thinkingTeamworkProblem-solvingCreativityRelationship buildingThese 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 servicesArts and recreationInformation media and telecommunicationsLuckily, 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.Job TitleIndustrySkillsPotential Job OpportunitiesAmusement, Fitness and Sports Centre ManagersAccommodation and food services, arts and recreation servicesBuilding relationshipsPlanning and prioritisingCommunicating within a teamCoaching and developing othersCoordinating the work of a team Data Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentCafe and Restaurant ManagersAccommodation and food servicesNegotiating and resolving conflictsPlanning and prioritisingCoordinating the work of a teamCoaching and developing othersCommunicating with peopleData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentWarehouse Packer – ManufacturingProduction Worker – ManufacturingFood Production/ Process Operators – ManufacturingStoresperson – ManufacturingInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentCall or Contact Centre Workers & ManagerInformation media and telecommunicationsBuilding relationshipsKeeping knowledge up to datePlanning and prioritisingMaking decisions and solving problemsCollecting and organising informationData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentCheckout Operators and Office CashiersAccommodation and food services, arts and recreation servicesHandling and moving objects Building relationshipsCommunicating within a teamInfluencing peopleData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentConference and Event OrganisersAccommodation and food services, arts and recreation servicesPlanning and prioritisingNegotiating and resolving conflictsBuilding relationshipsCommunicating with stakeholdersData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentFitness InstructorsArts and recreation servicesBuilding relationshipsDoing physically active workKeeping knowledge up to dateCommunicating with peopleDoing physically active workCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentWarehouse Packer – ManufacturingProduction Worker – ManufacturingFood Production/ Process Operators – ManufacturingStoresperson – ManufacturingInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentFood Trades AssistantsAccommodation and food servicesBuilding relationshipsDoing physically active workLooking for changes over timeCoordinating the work of a teamCommunicating with peopleCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesRecruitment Resourcer - RecruitmentWarehouse Packer – ManufacturingProduction Worker – ManufacturingFood Production/ Process Operators – ManufacturingStoresperson – ManufacturingInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentGallery, Library and Museum TechniciansArts and recreation services, information media and telecommunicationsKeeping knowledge up to dateHandling and moving objectsPlanning and prioritising workManaging files and recordsData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentWarehouse Packer – ManufacturingProduction Worker – ManufacturingFood Production/ Process Operators – ManufacturingStoresperson – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentGallery, Museum and Tour GuidesArts and recreation servicesBuilding relationshipsCommunicating with peopleKeeping knowledge up to dateCommunicating within a teamCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentGeneral ManagersArts and recreation services, information media and telecommunicationsPlanning and prioritising workBuilding relationshipsGuiding and directing staffCoordinating the work of a teamMaking decisions and solving problemsCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentHotel and Motel ManagersAccommodation and food services, arts and recreation servicesBuilding relationshipsCommunicating with peoplePlanning and prioritisingGuiding and directing staffNegotiating and resolving conflictsCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentReceptionistsAccommodation and food services, arts and recreation servicesBuilding relationshipsCommunicating with peopleCollecting and organising informationKeeping knowledge up to dateProviding office supportData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentRetail ManagersAccommodation and food servicesPlanning and prioritisingNegotiating and resolving conflictsGuiding and directing staffCommunicating with peopleCoordinating the work of a teamData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentWarehouse Packer – ManufacturingProduction Worker – ManufacturingFood Production/ Process Operators – ManufacturingStoresperson – ManufacturingInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentSales Assistants (Retail)Accommodation and food services, arts and recreation servicesInfluencing peopleNegotiating and resolving conflictsBuilding relationshipsCommunicating with peopleData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentWarehouse Packer – ManufacturingProduction Worker – ManufacturingFood Production/Process Operators – ManufacturingStoresperson – ManufacturingInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentTicket SalespersonsArts and recreation services, information media and telecommunicationsCommunicating with peopleMaking decisions and solving problemsCommunicating within a teamManaging data entryData Entry Clerk – All industriesCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesClient Administration Assistant – Insurance & Wealth ManagementRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentWaitersAccommodation and food servicesCommunicating with peopleBuilding relationshipsInfluencing peopleNegotiating and resolving conflictsDoing physically active workCustomer Services Administrator – All industriesRecruitment Resourcer – RecruitmentWarehouse Packer – ManufacturingProduction Worker – ManufacturingFood Production/Process Operators – ManufacturingStoresperson – ManufacturingInternal/Trade Sales – ManufacturingGraduate Roles – Insurance, Wealth Management & RecruitmentWhile 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.
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