Here's how you can assist candidates in highlighting their transferable skills during interviews.

1 Identify Skills

Firstly, assist candidates in identifying their transferable skills by reviewing their work history and extracurricular activities. Encourage them to think broadly about their experiences, including volunteer work, hobbies, and courses they've taken. For example, someone who has organized community events likely has strong project management and coordination skills. These can be applicable in many professional settings. It's about framing their past roles in a way that highlights the relevance of their skills to the position they're interviewing for.

2 Tailor Examples

Once candidates have a clear understanding of their transferable skills, guide them in tailoring examples that demonstrate these abilities. Encourage them to prepare specific anecdotes that illustrate how they've successfully applied these skills in various situations. This will require reflecting on past experiences and selecting stories that align with the job description. By preparing these stories in advance, candidates can enter the interview with a clear narrative that showcases their versatility and adaptability.

3 Research Roles

Encourage candidates to thoroughly research the roles they're applying for to better understand the specific skills that each employer is looking for. This knowledge allows them to align their transferable skills with the job requirements. For instance, if a job emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, a candidate can highlight their experience working in cross-functional teams or leading group projects. This targeted approach demonstrates to employers that the candidate is not only qualified but also has done their homework.

4 Practice Delivery

Effective communication is key in interviews, so candidates should practice delivering their examples with confidence and clarity. Role-play interviews can be a helpful exercise. Here, you can provide feedback on their delivery, helping them to speak concisely and with impact. This practice will also help alleviate some of the nervousness that can come with interviews by making the process feel more familiar.

5 Showcase Adaptability

It's important for candidates to showcase their adaptability—how they've applied their skills in new and challenging situations. Encourage them to discuss times when they've had to quickly learn new processes or adapt to changes. This not only highlights their transferable skills but also shows that they're resilient and capable of growing within a new role.

6 Follow Up

Finally, advise candidates on the importance of a strong follow-up after the interview. This can be an opportunity to re-emphasize their transferable skills and express continued interest in the role. Suggest they send a personalized thank you note that references specific parts of the conversation where they discussed how their skills align with the job. This attention to detail can leave a lasting impression on the interviewer.