How to Identify Your Transferable Skills and Use Them to Move Forward

You already have more transferable skills than you think. The Key is learning how to spot and use them.

Many people come to us at Pick a Path with the same question: “I’d love to do something different, but I don’t know what skills I actually have that would fit somewhere else.”

The answer often lies in transferable skills — the strengths you already use every day that can open doors in completely different industries or roles.

What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills are abilities that aren’t tied to a single role or profession. Communication, problem-solving, planning, adaptability, leadership and digital capability are all examples. They are called “transferable” because you can take them with you as you move between roles, sectors, or even career paths.

Unlike technical skills that may require certifications or training, transferable skills are often built through experience at work, through volunteering, or in everyday life.

Why Transferable Skills Matter More Than Job Titles

Too often, people define themselves by their job title. Titles like Administrator or Assistant can sound narrow but the reality is that those roles usually involve far more — project management, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, or systems coordination.

When employers are hiring, they aren’t just looking for a title - they’re looking for capability.

Recognising your transferable skills helps you show what you can do, not just what you’ve been called.

How to Identify Your Transferable Skills

Spotting your transferable skills starts with reflection:

• Look at your tasks, not your title: Write down what you actually do each day. Do you solve problems under pressure? Keep projects on track? Support others with training? These are transferable skills.

• Ask others for their view: Sometimes colleagues, friends, or managers see your strengths more clearly than you do. Ask them: “What’s the first thing you’d come to me for help with?”

• Match them against the job market: Scan job ads on Seek or LinkedIn and notice which skills come up again and again. Many employers want teamwork, leadership, communication, or digital literacy and chances are, you already have these.

Using Transferable Skills to Create Opportunities

Once you’ve identified your transferable skills, the next step is to use them strategically:

• Bridge the gaps: If you’re close to meeting a role’s requirements but missing one or two areas, short courses or micro-credentials can help. You don’t always need a full qualification.

• Reframe your experience: Highlight your transferable skills on your CV and LinkedIn profile so they stand out to employers. Instead of simply listing duties, show how your skills delivered outcomes.

• Target roles with demand: In New Zealand, sectors like healthcare, education, engineering, and technology are facing ongoing shortages. These are areas where transferable skills can give you momentum.

Transferable skills aren’t just tools you carry - they’re the pathways that connect today’s experience with tomorrow’s opportunities. Once you can name them and put them forward with confidence, doors start opening in places you may never have looked!

---

Thanks for reading. My hope with each edition is to create space to pause, reflect and rethink how we work. If this sparked something for you, I’d love if you shared it with someone who might need to hear it. You can always connect with me at sonja@pickapath.co.nz or find more at pickapath.co.nz.