Whether you are an apprentice, a graduate, or well into your professional career, everyone should have a strong set of transferable skills to give them a professional edge.

A skill is considered transferable when you are able to leverage it across a number of different jobs and industries. They are foundational competencies that can help anyone excel in any workplace, regardless of their specific role in it.

So, which transferable skills are the most important to have? To find out, we reached out to some of our employers and have compiled a list of the top ten transferable skills that are often the most sought after. Here they are, along with strategies on how you can acquire them.

We’ve also handpicked the perfect course on LinkedIn Learning to help you towards maximising every skill on this list. All completely free to Ginger Nut Apprentices. Ready? Let’s go!

1. Adaptability

This is all about your capacity to adjust your approach or actions in response to changes in your work environment. In our ever-evolving world, being adaptable is key. To enhance this skill, you could try altering your daily routine or putting yourself in new, unpredictable situations. Not too unpredictable though! It’s important to stay safe. 

Recommended course: How to Be an Adaptable Employee during Change and Uncertainty

2. Problem Solving

This skill involves finding solutions to issues or obstacles. Every organization values a problem-solver who can navigate challenges effectively. You can hone this skill through various activities, like project work, or even games that require strategic thinking. Wordle is a great one! 

Recommended course: Take a More Creative Approach to Problem-Solving

3. Self Management

Employers seek individuals who can organize their workload, manage their time, and maintain professional behaviour. You can improve this skill by utilising tools like diaries or task lists. 

Recommended course: Managing Your Time

4. Resiliency

Resiliency in this context is all about how we overcome challenges and respond to failures. It’s important to know that it’s okay to fail. From failure, we learn resilience, and that is how we grow. To build up your resiliency, try doing things that might get you rejected, and go out of your way to try new things you’ll likely fail at. Over time, you’ll learn that failure is never as bad as you might imagine, and that it can lead to very good things. 

Recommended course: Fail Better: Using Mistakes To Improve Performance

Being able to play nice with others and work effectively in a team setting is essential. Make a point to appreciate the strengths of others, and find ways to contribute to common goals. You can reflect on the role you play in a team using tools like the “Belbin Team Roles” to understand where exactly you fit in. 

Recommended course: Teamwork Foundations (With Audio Descriptions)

This involves generating innovative ideas or approaches. Don’t worry, it does NOT mean you have to be good at drawing! Creativity isn’t limited to traditionally “artistic” fields; it’s actually valued in every industry. Engage in activities that challenge your creativity, and keep a record of your creative work or ideas.

Recommended course: Four Simple Strategies to Boost Creativity and Productivity

This is your ability to convey information clearly, professionally, and appropriately. Work on both your written and verbal communication skills, and, if you’re brave enough, practice public speaking. Don’t be afraid to use tools to aid in your writing either, everyone else is doing it!

Recommended course: The Three Pillars Of Effective Communication

Maintaining an optimistic outlook, especially when facing challenges, can impact your work environment significantly. Reflect on your reactions to situations and strive to balance realism with optimism. It’s just as important to avoid toxic positivity!

Recommended course: Positive Psychology For Less Stress & Happier Workdays

Employers need to trust that you’ll fulfil your responsibilities consistently. You can showcase your reliability through punctuality, maintaining commitments, and stepping up when needed. 

Recommended course: Cultivating A Growth Mindset

This is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what to believe. In a world filled with conflicting information and endless decision making, the ability to think critically can help us come to the right conclusions and better understand the world around us. 

Recommended course: Developing A Critical Thinking Mindset

Remember, you don’t actually need to master every skill on this list. Identify the ones most relevant to your career aspirations, and focus on those. By doing so, you’ll cement your position as a strong and dependable employee.