| During this lengthy recession, job seekers are finding | | | | specifically for your previous employer, so that all the |
| that they are no longer in a position to apply solely for | | | | fields used and your knowledge of the system was |
| jobs that they are trained to do or that they have | | | | completely unique to that company. However, if you |
| experience in. The economic climate means that | | | | analyse the skills required to use this software you will |
| people have to look for employment in areas outside | | | | find several transitional skills. Were you required to |
| of their comfort zone, where they have little or no | | | | learn and use a totally new software package? Were |
| experience. They often have to compete for posts | | | | you maintaining databases? Were you analysing |
| against large numbers of candidates; some of whom | | | | information? Were you required to accurately enter |
| will have greater direct experience. However, if you as | | | | data? Were you required to train or mentor others on |
| a candidate are able to realise your transitional skills | | | | the use of the software? Considering questions like |
| and highlight them successfully within your CV and | | | | these will help you to realise that you have many |
| your application form, then your chances of success | | | | transitional skills, so that even if you have no direct |
| within the recruitment process will be improved greatly, | | | | experience in a certain role you should be able to |
| even when applying for jobs that may be alien to you. | | | | submit a CV to a potential employer and be able to |
| So, what are transitional skills? | | | | demonstrate that despite that lack of experience you |
| These are the skills that you have acquired throughout | | | | do have the necessary skills to do the job and are |
| your academic, working and even social life that can | | | | willing and able to learn quickly! |
| be applied successfully to other situations and other | | | | How do I highlight these skills in my CV? |
| working environments. | | | | Always refer to your transitional skills by giving |
| How do I identify these transitional skills? | | | | examples of how you demonstrated them. Simply |
| Identifying your transitional skills will require some | | | | stating that you have, 'good IT skills and are able to |
| thought and may take some time initially. Firstly, | | | | analyse data accurately', will not be enough to |
| consider the personal qualities that you possess, | | | | succeed in this highly competitive job market. You |
| perhaps qualities or skills that others comment on. Your | | | | need to give examples and if necessary highlight how |
| friends may frequently comment on your punctuality or | | | | these skills would be useful in the post you are |
| your ability to organise a group of people or an event. | | | | applying for. Don't give the employer any excuse not |
| You may have been unemployed for some time but if | | | | to consider you. |
| you have managed to keep a structure to your day, | | | | If you can identify these transitional skills then your |
| then this shows a definite degree of self motivation. | | | | eyes will be opened to a whole new set of |
| These are all examples of transitional skills that | | | | opportunities and you will find the confidence to apply |
| employers are happy to find in a potential employee. | | | | for jobs that you would have previously dismissed. If |
| Secondly, consider the technical skills that you possess. | | | | you can then successfully include these skills within |
| These may initially seem to be very job specific from | | | | your CV or application form then your chances of |
| a previous role but if you analyse the actual skills used | | | | success within an unfamiliar industry or position will be |
| you may find these are transitional skills that could be | | | | vastly improved and you may even find your perfect |
| applied to a completely different role. For example, you | | | | career! |
| may have worked on a piece of software developed | | | | |