If you want to make a career change, you may worry that you don’t have the right skills. And depending on the new role, you may need to come up to speed on some specific technical know-how. But a surprising number of skills, known as soft skills, can easily transfer from one position to the next. Here are three transferable skills that everyone should hone.
Adaptability
If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that everything we thought we knew can change in an instant. Adaptability allows you to roll with the punches, quickly changing course to adjust to new circumstances. If you are adaptable, you will be able to succeed when faced with novel challenges. Warehouse workers who rotate between different positions and dispatchers who must respond to driver needs on the fly are just two examples of roles that require adaptability.
Problem-Solving
Good problem solvers have strong critical thinking skills. They are able to analyze complex challenges, identify the underlying causes, and then formulate and execute a plan to address them. If you’re a strong problem solver, you might be able to improve processes at your worksite, or at least develop a short-term workaround when something goes wrong.
Leadership
Good leaders know how to manage both people and processes. If you have leadership skills, you understand both the big picture and the individual components. You know how to motivate others and the intricacies of scheduling and managing projects. You might have developed these skills outside of the workplace, from running a club to stage managing a theatrical production. But they will easily translate to a role such as shift leader.
It is true that some jobs require specific technical skills. But increasingly, employers are looking for soft skills that aren’t tied to a single position and often have training or development programs where you can learn these skills.. Work on developing these three transferable skills, and you will be well-equipped for your next career moves.
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If you’re ready for your next role, start searching for a new job with SURESTAFF today! We can help you find a light industrial position in Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Georgia, Florida, or Wisconsin.
