LINKS

Hard Skills

Hard skills refer to the "demonstrable skills" that you possess. For example, a secretary has demonstrable skills in typing, operating a computer, etc. Working in the retail sector, hard skills may include the ability to handle cash transactions, to set up displays, to merchandise.

These are thing that you can do.

Soft

Soft skills are your personal qualities, characteristics, and attributes. Your soft skills refer to those "interpersonal" skills that you possess and would take to the position. For example, you may be well organized, a team player, and a quick learner.

 

Transferable

Transferable skill are skills that you can take from one position to another. These can be a combination of both your hard and soft skills. For example, if you have strong customer service skills this can be taken from a retail to an office environment. In addition, if you are well organized, this is a desired trait, regardless of what type of work you are doing.

Sample Transferable Skills

Retail to Office

To illustrate how transferable skills work we could presume that you are someone who is looking to make a career change from a retail to an office environment.

At first thought you may think that you do not have any office skills, but you do if you think of all the skills you have developed working in retail, which may include some of the following:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong communication skills
• Work well as part of a team
• Handle cash transactions
• Open and close store
• Train new staff
• Inventory control
• Organizing priority of work and scheduling
• Computer skills
• Operate office equipment
• Responsible for bank deposits

These are just a few examples of how you can work towards identifying your existing skills. See you can can apply or transfer them to new opportunities!