Introduction: The Skills Employers Really Look For
Imagine you’re an employer scanning a pile of CVs. Everyone has degrees. Many have decent grades. Some even have similar internships. What makes you pause and think, “This candidate could really add value to my team”?
The answer isn’t always technical know-how — it’s transferable skills. These are the abilities you carry from one context to another: communication, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, leadership, and digital fluency.
In a world where industries evolve faster than degrees, transferable skills are what make you employable in 2025 and beyond. The question is: how do you showcase them on your CV so employers actually notice?
What Are Transferable Skills?
Transferable skills are not tied to a single job or sector. They travel with you.
Some of the most sought-after in today’s market include:
- Communication – writing clearly, speaking confidently, listening actively.
- Teamwork – collaborating across cultures and disciplines.
- Leadership – motivating peers, managing tasks, taking responsibility.
- Problem-Solving – analysing issues and finding creative solutions.
- Adaptability – adjusting quickly to new tools, markets, or environments.
- Digital Literacy – using AI, data tools, or software beyond the basics.
Employers value these because they signal potential. Even if you’re entering a new industry, your skills prove you can contribute from day one.
Why Transferable Skills Matter More Than Ever
- Shorter Job Lifecycles – Roles evolve; what you learned in year one of university may be outdated by graduation.
- Global Competition – Employers in the UK and beyond look for candidates who can adapt quickly in multicultural workplaces.
- Graduate Route Timelines – With only 18 months of post-study work in the UK, students need to hit the ground running. Transferable skills show you’re “ready-made.”
- AI and Automation – As technical tasks become automated, soft skills like leadership, empathy, and problem-solving become differentiators.
Step 1: Identify Your Transferable Skills
Start by asking yourself:
- Where have I demonstrated initiative? (Group projects, volunteering, part-time jobs.)
- When did I solve a problem under pressure? (Academic deadlines, team conflicts, personal challenges.)
- What feedback do people consistently give me? (Organised, reliable, persuasive?)
Write these down. Patterns will emerge.
Step 2: Map Them to Job Descriptions
A generic CV won’t cut it. Tailor your transferable skills to the employer’s needs.
Example:
- Job Description asks for “team leadership in a fast-paced environment.”
- You highlight: “Led a multicultural team of five in a university project, delivering results two weeks early despite tight deadlines.”
This shows you’re not just claiming a skill — you’re proving it with evidence.
Step 3: Use the STAR Method to Showcase Skills
Employers love structure. Use the STAR technique when framing experiences:
- Situation – What was the context?
- Task – What was your responsibility?
- Action – What did you do?
- Result – What outcome did you achieve?
Instead of saying “Strong communicator,” write:
“Presented research findings to a panel of 50+ peers and faculty, resulting in top marks and an invitation to represent the university at a regional conference.”
A Practical Example: Turning Experience Into Transferable Skills
Let’s take a real scenario most students can relate to.
Before:
“Worked as a cashier at a retail store.”
This line sounds basic and doesn’t highlight any real value.
After:
“Managed high-volume customer transactions with accuracy, resolved complaints under pressure, and collaborated with a team of 12 to improve customer satisfaction ratings.”
The second version highlights problem-solving, teamwork, and communication — transferable skills that employers in any industry can recognise.
This is how you transform ordinary experiences into powerful career assets.
Step 4: Place Skills Strategically on Your CV
- Skills Section: List key transferable skills explicitly, e.g., “Cross-Cultural Teamwork, Conflict Resolution, Digital Marketing.”
- Experience Section: Back each claim with action-based bullet points.
- Education Section: Highlight coursework, dissertations, or projects where you used skills.
- Additional Section: Include volunteering, societies, or clubs that demonstrate leadership and teamwork.
Step 5: Highlight Transferable Skills Across Industries
Different industries value different transferable skills.
- Business & Management: Leadership, strategic thinking, negotiation.
- IT & Cyber Security: Problem-solving, analytical skills, adaptability.
- Healthcare: Empathy, communication, teamwork.
- Luxury Branding: Cross-cultural awareness, creativity, client relations.
If you’re studying at UWS London, courses like MBA Luxury Brand Management or MSc Information Technology with Project Management naturally develop transferable skills. Employers notice graduates who can bridge both technical and soft skills.
Step 6: Don’t Forget Digital Transferable Skills
In 2025, digital literacy is non-negotiable. Even if you’re not in IT, employers expect:
- Ability to use AI tools for research and presentations.
- Comfort with data visualisation software.
- Awareness of cyber security basics.
For international students, digital transferable skills also reassure employers that you can adapt quickly to new systems in the UK workplace.
Erudmite’s Perspective
We’ve guided many students who feared they “lacked experience.” But often, the issue wasn’t absence of skills — it was failure to frame them properly.
For example:
- A part-time retail assistant didn’t just “work at a shop.” They developed customer service, conflict management, and sales skills — all transferable to business and hospitality.
- A group project in an MSc programme wasn’t just “an assignment.” It showed teamwork, leadership, and deadline management under pressure.
At Erudmite, our career counselling in Dubai and online sessions help students reframe ordinary experiences into powerful skill stories that resonate with UK employers.
Conclusion:
Degrees are important. But in 2025, it’s often transferable skills that tip the scales between two equally qualified candidates.
Your CV isn’t just a list of qualifications it’s a story of adaptability, problem-solving, and potential. Showcase your transferable skills clearly, and you’ll stand out not only as a graduate, but as a professional ready for the future.
FAQs
1. What are the top 3 transferable skills employers want in 2025?
Communication, adaptability, and problem-solving.
2. How do I showcase transferable skills if I have no work experience?
Use examples from group projects, volunteering, sports, or personal initiatives.
3. Should transferable skills go in their own section?
Yes, but also weave them into your experience for credibility.
4. How do employers in the UK view transferable skills?
Very positively — they indicate readiness for diverse roles and industries.
5. Can Erudmite help me identify my transferable skills?
Yes. Through one-on-one guidance, we help students recognize, frame, and highlight their transferable skills to improve career outcomes.
