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Presenting Your Skills to Employers

Even if you do not have direct experience in a specific profession, that doesn’t mean you lack the necessary skills to succeed in the job. Your job is to convince potential employers that you have the skills that they are looking for.

In resumes, cover letters, and during interviews, you should always portray your skills as applicable to the job you seek.

Use the job description or advertisement to understand and prioritize the transferable skills the employer might value most. Then include in these skills in your resume by showing how your experience matches what the employer is seeking.

Remember that your cover letter is your introduction. If you are applying for a position that is not directly related to your previous work experience, include a paragraph in the cover letter that connects your transferable skills to the job description.

Tip:

Use networking to find out what skills employers are looking for!

Speak with employers and workers in your desired field, attend industry events and connect with industry associations to learn which skills are important. Once you have a good understanding of desirable skills, you'll know which ones to emphasize in your resume and cover letter.

The sources below provide specific examples how to include transferable skills in your resume and cover letter: