Transferable skills 101 (Part 3): 12 skills that will make you a valuable asset to any employer

Part 3 of a three-part series.

It's easy to overlook transferable skills as they are considered general and non-technical, but the more transferable skills one possesses, the more versatile and capable one is at handling different challenges and issues at work.

We previously covered why transferable skills are important and how they help a candidate stand out in a job search in part 1 of this article series, which was followed by part 2 on how to highlight your transferable skills in your resume. The third part of the series will focus on the top 12 transferable skills that will make you a valuable asset to any employer.

Organizational skills

Having a methodical and organized approach to work is a great asset to any organization, as it ensures efficiency in managing one's daily tasks, which translates into on-time project deliveries and quality job performance. Examples of valuable organizational skills include:

1. Time management

Being able to work fast while producing quality results is what any employer wants. In these fast-paced times, this is a valuable skill for any jobseeker to have.

2. Planning

Effective planning skills will ensure that you don't overlook important details or tasks, while keeping the project on schedule by factoring in buffer time for operational issues and possible delays.

3. Attention to detail

Do you take time to review your works before submission? Do you aim for accuracy and thoroughness in your tasks? Mistakes tend to have a ripple effect and can leave a huge impact to organizations, so having this particular trait makes you particularly desirable to employers.

4. Financial management

Making sure projects stay on budget is one of the key challenges for any team or company. It requires taking initiative to source for quality goods at competitive prices or finding creative ways to keep costs down if the need arises.

5. Creative problem-solving

Life is full of problems, and work is no different. We spend a big chunk of our time at work trying to find solutions to problems. The more creative you can be with your solutions, the more value you'll be adding to the team.

Communication skills

Strong communication skills are instrumental in the workplace, whether you're in an administrative role, the office's tech whiz, or a head of department.

6. Writing

Being able to use language in a way that's understandable and engaging through writing can take you far and wide in your career. From doing reports, to coming up with campaigns to promote your company's products, your flair for writing will make you a key asset in any industry you'd apply to.

7. Listening

Too often, we jump to conclusions instead of focusing on what the other person is saying. Good listening skills involve not making assumptions, but rather being patient and hearing the other person out—an essential skill to have at any stage in your career.

8. Speaking

This includes presentation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. In addition to being an articulate speaker, it entails confidence and a calm demeanor in spite of the pressure one might be under at that point in time.

People skills

Not everyone has good social skills, but strong interpersonal skills are incredibly helpful in the workplace, especially if you're working in a big organization.

9. Teamwork

Being a good team player means building good rapport with your team members, being helpful and collaborative, while showing a genuine interest in their well-being.

10. Empathy

Caring about your colleagues and bosses helps you connect with them and build meaningful relationships in the workplace.

11. Leadership

An effective leader has a natural flair for inspiring those around him or her to believe in a common vision, and for motivating them to work together towards a shared goal.

12. Diplomacy

Knowing when and where to say and do the right things shows thoughtfulness and sensitivity towards other people's feelings and state of mind. Diplomacy is a useful skill to have, especially when dealing with delicate situations.

Don't underestimate the non-technical skills you've gained from your daily life and work, no matter how commonplace they seem to be. Being able to recognize these transferable skills and the value they add to your productivity and work performance will give you added confidence and assurance in your abilities.

About JobStreet.comJobStreet.com is a leading online job board presently covering the employment markets in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. JobStreet.com currently services over 230,000 corporate hirers and over 15 million jobseekers in its database.About SEEK AsiaJobStreet.com is part of SEEK Asia, which is the leading online employment market place in Asia. SEEK Asia covers 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.SEEK Asia is the extension of the Australian Securities Exchange listed company called SEEK. The company's purpose is to help improve people's lives through a better career. SEEK Asia's database consist of over 500,000 corporate hirers and over 24 million candidates.