If you are a recent graduate or are considering a career change, you may be concerned about not having the abilities needed to get a new job. However, transferable skills are abilities you can acquire through part-time jobs, school projects, internships, hobbies and volunteer work.

Abilities such as teamwork and leadership are called transferable skills because they are not industry-specific and can be taken from one career path to another. Becoming adept at these non-technical skills can lead to advancement and career success in any field.

Below is a short list of transferable skills that aren’t generally earned with a degree. When reviewing the list, consider your proficiency in these abilities and examples of when you used them in the past.

Computer literacy

While many supply chain jobs aren’t totally dependent on IT skills, being comfortable with standard operating systems and computer technology is extremely useful. Staying up-to-date with essential technology is important to your career stability and growth, as technology is continuously shifting and impacting the nature of many supply chain jobs.

Specific communication skills

Just saying you are a good communicator doesn’t mean anything. When it comes to your career, you have to be able to talk about specific modes of communication or ways you have used communication to achieve results. For instance, being familiar with apps like Slack or Gmail are specific communication skills, as is the ability to coordinate with someone remotely to accomplish a task.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking abilities help you logically analyze a problem and ideal solutions. This ability also includes the capacity to assess and apply a solution to achieve a desirable result. Someone with good critical thinking skills can look at a problem, ask the right questions, consider factors related to possible solutions and figure out which solutions to are the best for the job.

Time management

Effective time management is built on four things: organization, establishing priorities, being a good custodian of your time and the ability to review past practices. Reviewing your past performance helps raise your awareness of how you have invested your time and what you could do differently moving forward.

Teamwork

The supply chain industry involves the complex challenges of maximizing profits while minimizing costs, both of which require people working together to develop solutions. As such, supply chain professionals must work efficiently and professionally with others who may have different backgrounds, motivations and knowledge.

Teamwork requires dedication to the team and its success. You may have to handle a task in a team setting because it must be done, not because you want to or makes you look good. Teamwork abilities are particularly critical if you intend to be a leader because all successful leaders have to comprehend the various dynamics of teamwork.

Start working with a supply chain recruiter

At ZDA, we work with ambitious professionals to help them take the next step on your career path. Contact one of our supply chain recruiters today to find out how we can help you take the next step on your career path.

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