What are the most common mistakes when writing a resume that emphasizes transferrable skills?

The number one mistake: Not understanding the industry. Too many career pivoters are determined to leave whatever behind without taking the time and research to understand the inner workings of their career pivot goal. Before I pivoted into executive search, I spent 6 months meeting people in the industry. Reading whatever I could about the industry. An subcontracting myself to those in the industry. I didn't go into my pivot with potential. I went into my pivot with accomplishments.

Not Tailoring the Resume to the Job Description to align with the specific job description. Read the job posting carefully and highlight skills relevant to the role. Being Too Vague About Skills: Provide concrete examples of transferable skills. Overlooking Soft Skills: While technical skills are important, soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability are also highly valued across various industries. Failing to Quantify Achievements: With numbers, percentages, or specific outcomes. Forgetting to Include Relevant Keywords: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Not including relevant keywords from the job description can result in your resume being overlooked.

Some common mistakes include: 1. Using a single resume for all job applications while each position requires a tailored resume with slight adjustments in keywords according to the job description. 2. Excessive emphasis on highlighting technical skills during a career transition. Transferrable skills are equally important in this context. 3. Merely listing transferrable skills, such as communication, team management, and time management skills in your resume without providing details on how you applied these skills to make a meaningful impact in your previous roles. 4. Using different formatting styles in your resume creates a negative impression. Prioritize focusing on a single formatting style throughout your resume.

People tell me that it is exhausting to tailor your role to every job and emphasise the relevant skills. Here's how to make it easier. The ONLY things you need to change are on the top half of the first page: Your short high-impact professional summary - change emphasis and key skills to suit the role you are applying for. Your highlights reel - top three highlights relevant to the target role. Don't make it harder than it needs to be!

Having a clear goal in mind will improve your job search success exponentially. Tailoring your resume to a specific job allows you to include keywords and phrases specific to that role. This will help with ATS and also demonstrate that your skills align with the job requirements. While a broader resume may contain some of keywords and skills, it won’t be as focused as one created specifically for a particular role. As a result, this makes the one-size-fits-all variety much less effective.

When highlighting transferable skills in your resume, the key is to show, not just tell. It's easy to fall into the trap of using buzzwords like "excellent communication" or "strong leadership," but these phrases can sound empty without concrete evidence. Quantifying your achievements is like adding proof to your claims. It turns abstract skills into something tangible. For instance, stating that you "increased team efficiency by 20% through improved communication strategies" gives a clear, measurable impact of your skills. When you say, "I led a team of five on a project that exceeded targets by 30%," it paints a picture of your leadership ability in action. It's about making your skills come alive through real-world results.

Focus on the "why" and "how" behind your skills. How did you demonstrate your communication abilities? Why did you need to step up to lead a team?

Let me share something I’ve noticed after looking at tons of resumes: A lot of people miss out on a big opportunity. They list their skills, sure, but they don't back them up with numbers. Like, you'll see 'project management' as a skill, but where's the proof? Think about it this way: It's one thing to say you're good at something. It's another to show it. Did your project management skills lead to a big increase in efficiency? Did you oversee a team? How big was it? When you put numbers to your achievements, it brings them to life. It tells employers, 'Here’s exactly what I can do for you.' That’s the kind of detail that can really make your resume stand out.

Rather than stating "strong leadership skills," illustrate it with specifics like "Led a team of 10, increasing productivity by 30% over 6 months." This approach showcases your skills with measurable outcomes, making your resume more compelling and credible.

100% true that not quantifying your achievements is a missed opportunity. Not only will it show your value and contributions, it's also a great way for you to share what sets you apart.

The last thing you want to do is confuse your readers. The functional resume can be a 'red flag' for some hiring teams because of years of people using it to hide things. So think twice before using that style of resume. Instead, consider using a "Career Highlights" section of your resume that features the skills that align best with the job poster. Let's say you were a teacher 10 + years ago and you're applying to a teacher role. You might do a section and call it: "Excellence in Education" * # years formal teaching experience * Recent professional development * Volunteer teaching experience * New credentials * # years adjacent experience (e.g. working with youth, students) Keep it simple and focused on the value you have to offer.

Avoid a confusing resume format. Opt for a clear, consistent style that accentuates your transferable skills. Choose a functional, hybrid, or combination format and stick to basic formatting rules: use bullet points, headings, and balanced white space. Highlight skills with action verbs and power words, keeping the resume to 1-2 pages. Always proofread for errors and use a PDF or Word format for submission.

Spot on! Clarity and consistency in formatting are essential for an effective resume, especially when showcasing transferrable skills. Choosing the right format (functional, hybrid, or combination) is just the start. Utilizing bullet points, clear headings, and appropriate fonts and colors enhances readability and professionalism. Action verbs and power words breathe life into your accomplishments and skills. Remember, a well-structured resume not only reflects your professionalism but also makes it easier for employers to recognize your potential. Proofreading is a must to avoid errors, and using PDF or Word ensures your format stays intact.

Don't overlook your learning and development activities on your resume. These demonstrate adaptability and eagerness to learn, traits highly valued by employers. Include online courses, certifications, and other learning experiences relevant to the job, either in a separate section or integrated into "Skills" or "Experience". Explain how these activities enhanced your transferable skills and how they can benefit the employer.

Highlighting learning and development is crucial in a resume, especially when focusing on transferrable skills. This not only shows your adaptability and eagerness to learn, but also demonstrates a proactive approach to personal and professional growth. Incorporating activities like online courses, certifications, or workshops into your resume makes it more dynamic and appealing to employers. Whether it’s in a dedicated section or integrated into your skills or experience, make sure to articulate how these activities have honed your skills and how they can be an asset to the potential employer. This approach showcases a well-rounded candidate who is committed to continuous learning and development.

Collaboration is crucial when crafting a transferable skills-focused resume. Feedback from peers, mentors, or professionals enhances its impact. 1. Seek diverse perspectives for a well-rounded assessment. 2. Refine your resume to stand out effectively. 3. Increase your chances of securing desired opportunities.

When crafting a resume that highlights transferable skills, don't do it alone. Seek feedback from friends, colleagues, mentors, or professionals. They can pinpoint strengths, weaknesses, and suggest improvements. While online tools like resume builders can assist, ensure your resume remains personalized to your voice and goals. It's important to blend guidance with your unique style.

Seeking feedback and advice is a key step in crafting a standout resume, especially when focusing on transferrable skills. Writing in isolation can lead to missed opportunities for improvement. Feedback from friends, colleagues, mentors, or professionals provides valuable perspectives that can enhance your resume’s effectiveness. They can help identify areas of strength and areas needing refinement, and offer suggestions for enhancements. While online tools like resume builders and scanners are helpful, it’s important to ensure your resume truly represents your unique voice and career goals. Incorporating diverse feedback leads to a more polished and impactful resume.

I've changed careers 5 times. I've pivoted from engineering to analyst to financial writer to freelance writer to MBA admissions consultant to career coach. In each case, the key has been transferable skills. The biggest thing that I can advise is to make sure it's clear in your summary what you are looking to do next and how you plan to use those transferable skills to make the change. When I made the shift to writing for The Motley Fool, I emphasized my analytical skills and industry knowledge to make the shift. When I made the shift from engineering to marketing analyst, I emphasized my problem solving skills. Do whatever you can to emphasize the skills that you already have and will use in making the move.

You need to highlight your skills and expertise along with adding related quantifiable accomplishments. I would prefer to add transferable skills and expertise at the start of each job role in addition to the Areas of Expertise.

Consider "transferrable" to be a synonym for "relevant" in this context. A transferrable skills resume is exactly that - a high-level overview of the most relevant skills and experience you bring to the table - those that can serve as a bridge into a new role / function / industry / career - versus listing everything you've ever done. Remember, they don't need ALL the information - only the data that will help them make a decision around your qualifications for the role.