Job Interview Tip for New Grads: Focus on Your Transferable Skills
For many new graduates, the thought of that first “real” post graduation job interview is terrifying. Some new graduates have never, ever had a job, much less a job interview. Some have had temporary jobs over the summer breaks in restaurants, coffee shops or helping family or friends in their places of work performing administrative roles or manual labor positions.
New grads often wonder how they are to get that first job when they’re told they must first have relevant experience. This is what they have been told in the past and it isn’t necessarily true. Never fear, new graduate, because unlike Napoleon Dynamite, you possess a vast quantity of “skills”! Experiences in your life and during your college career have equipped you with a plethora of skills most organizations value and search for in today's job candidates.
In this very competitive job market, it’s vital to develop and articulate your unique transferable skills in order to greatly enhance your employment opportunities. Organizations want to see these skills listed on your resume in order to move you forward in the job interview process. A Jobscan blog from June 2018 mentions that these skills in the workplace are huge and that 93% of employers believe that these skills are essential in making hiring decisions. There are employers who would rather hire a person with multiple, prized transferable skills than a person who has only technical abilities.
So what are transferable skills? Indeed.com defines transferable skills as “skills you possess that are useful to employers across various jobs and industries.” These are traits that are a part of you and your life’s experience - a personal bedrock or foundation you’ve developed over time. Qualities that you use every day and some that you’ve honed to a very high level make you extremely marketable. Chances are you will be competing with very experienced job candidates, so it’s important to understand what transferable skills you own, how they will transfer to a job, and be able to articulate them to a prospective employer.
Before presenting a list of transferable skills, let’s consider one that is vital to making an impression. Probably the number one transferable skill employers examine is verbal communication. There is not a position known to man out there in “job-land” that does not require excellent verbal communication skills. Every profession, every promotion, as well as any future success depends on it. The most qualified person, be it a bio-mechanical engineer or nurse is worthless if they can’t communicate with team members so that all understand what is being said.
Verbal communication is received with our senses. We hear what is being said and, if face-to- face, we see what is being communicated. These senses evoke subconscious emotion that is automatic. Verbal communication involves speaking skills as well as listening skills. Verbal skills are what you say, how you say it, tone, cadence, and voice volume. Do you use verbal pauses that may be perceived as annoying such as “like” or “um”? Is verbal fry or upspeak a part of your speech pattern? These patterns could elicit a subconscious bias (that we all possess) in the receiver.
Listening actively is crucial to total, authentic back and forth communication. It involves being present and really hearing what your team members are saying to you. Are you the team “yak-a-doodle” who won’t shut up and let others share their opinions or ideas? Do you constantly interrupt others, always thinking about your next question or comment?
The importance of your verbal communication skills cannot be understated. Perhaps a real self-reflection of your verbal skills is in order to recognize and remedy any issues that may interfere with your best communicative ability.
New graduates are given real scrutiny when it comes to communication. Along with your actual appearance, your verbal communication is upfront and on display. It introduces you to the employer, so prepare beforehand how to best present this skill. Click here to view just how vital proper verbal communication can be. I dare you not to smile!
Below is a list of transferable skills. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. As you read this list, consider how many of these skills you already possess...
Verbal communication - Discussed above as it is imperative for a good impression.
Written communication - This isn’t just 140 characters or your Snapchat/Instagram contributions, grammar counts! Do you have research or grant writing experience? Newspaper work?
Critical thinking - Involves analysis of data, development of solutions. Can you apply what you’ve learned in the “real” world work setting?
Leadership abilities - Do people tend to follow you and do you have experience leading teams or groups? Are you able to delegate?
Computer skills - Involves proficiency with information technology, coding experience, social media, expertise/creation of podcasts or app creation.
Organizational skills - Involves deadline and time management, complicated timelines, time blocking or budgeting. Do you know how to prioritize?
Interpersonal skills - Involves teamwork, group projects, working well with others, conflict resolution.
Work ethic - Are you self-motivated, on time? Do you go the extra mile, dependable?
Creativity - Hobbies, film-maker, fashionista, graphic design work?
Let’s look at a few examples of how your college experience can transfer to the workplace.
Many college students join a fraternity or sorority. If you were elected as chairperson for a charity marathon and handled all of the responsibilities for the event, you had to use many organizational skills, interpersonal skills, creativity, and budgeting skills along with properly delegating to others. All of these were wrapped in excellent communication skills that are vital to putting on an event of this scale!
If you spent a semester abroad, you may have used a foreign language you’ve learned in the past to assist other students who were with you in proper communication, both written and verbal. Critical thinking skills were used as you navigated a foreign city, learning to be flexible in different situations and cultures. You utilized your computer skills as you blogged and posted your daily updates to those back home as well as in the classes you took. You honed your work ethic as you attended all your classes, completing your assignments in a timely fashion and your communication skills were given a real workout as you made friends in a new country, ate at new restaurants, and utilized public transit.
You do indeed have many skills that employers are searching for! You just need to be able to articulate these skills into clear stories to the hiring manager so that they can completely understand the scope of your skills.
So, before you begin interviewing for your first “real” job, examine and analyze your transferable skill set. Practice verbalizing these talents clearly and concisely in a personable and persuasive manner so that the hiring manager will see that you have the right set of skills that can be properly molded to fit the organization.
I offer a free ½ hour introductory job interview coaching session. Contact me today to prepare for your tomorrow!