Post on 20-Dec-2015
transcript
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Transferable Skills: Key to Professional Resumes &
Interviews
Karen PowellCareer Services Centerwww.careers.wwu.edu
OM 280 ~ 360.650.3240M – F; 8 am – 5 pm
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“Secret” to demonstrating your value….
Use the
Employer’s
“Language” to
Communicate
Skills
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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“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
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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”
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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”
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Collect Experiences to Communicate Skills/Traits
• Leisure activities
• Volunteer Work
• Professional &Other Positions
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Resources
• Workshops
• Individual Consultations
• Mock Interviews
• Special Events
www.careers.wwu.edu
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Questions?
Thank You!