Tranferable Skills

What are "transferable skills?"

Transferable skills are the things you can do that can be used in almost any job or career.  Everyone has some transferable skills. These skills should appear on your resume.

Here is a list:

Transferable Skills List 

Communication Skills: 
the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas. 

• Speaking effectively 
• Writing concisely 
• Listening attentively 
• Expressing ideas 
• Facilitating group discussion 
• Providing appropriate feedback 
• Negotiating 
• Perceiving nonverbal messages 
• Persuading Reporting information 
• Describing feelings 
• Interviewing 
• Editing 

Research and Planning Skills: 
the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs. 

• Forecasting predicting 
• Creating ideas 
• Identifying problems 
• Imagining alternatives 
• Identifying resources 
• Gathering information 
• Solving problems 
• Setting goals 
• Extracting important information 
• Defining needs 
• Analyzing 
• Developing evaluation strategies 

Human Relations Skills: 
the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people. 

• Developing rapport 
• Being sensitive 
• Listening 
• Conveying feelings 
• Providing support for others 
• Motivating 
• Sharing credit 
• Counseling 
• Cooperating 
• Delegating with respect 
• Representing others 
• Perceiving feelings situations 
• Asserting 

Organization Management and Leadership Skills: 
the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals. 

• Initiating new ideas 
• Handling details 
• Coordinating tasks 
• Managing groups 
• Delegating responsibility 
• Teaching 
• Coaching 
• Counseling 
• Promoting change 
• Selling ideas or products 
• Decision making with others 
• Managing conflict 

Work Survival Skills: 
the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction. 

• Implementing decisions 
• Cooperating 
• Enforcing policies 
• Being punctual 
• Managing time 
• Attending to detail 
• Meeting goals 
• Enlisting help 
• Accepting responsibility 
• Setting and meeting deadlines 
• Organizing 
• Making decisions  

Know Your Rights!

One fact that many new Americans do not know is that workers (ALL workers) in the United States have rights. The laws, both Federal and state, protect workers. Here are some basic rights:

Massachusetts Wage Act 

 

You must be paid for every hour you work, even if you quit or are fired. This applies to hours worked, tips, vacation pay, holiday pay and commissions. If you voluntarily leave your job, you must be paid in full on the next regular pay day. If you are laid off or fired, you must be paid in full on the day your employment ends.

 

Meal Breaks

  

If you work at least six hours a day, you are entitled to a 30 minute break. During your break you must be relieved of all duties and allowed to leave the premises. If you voluntarily elect to give up your meal break, you must be paid for the time worked.

Tips

 

You may be paid $3.00 an hour if you regularly receive tips of more than $20.00 per month, and only if those tips, when added to the $3.00 per hour, equal at least $9.00 per hour. Your tips are yours to keep. No employer, manager or boss may request or accept any part of your tips.

 

Minimum Wage 

 

Massachusetts’ minimum wage is $9.00 per hour.

 

Overtime

  

By law, employers are required to pay time-and-a-half if you work over 40 hours a week. For example, if you usually earn $9.00 per hour, you would be paid $13.50 per hour for each hour worked beyond 40 hours. 

If you think you are not being treated fairly, you have the right to seek legal advice.   
  
The Pioneer Valley Workers Center at 42 Gothic Street (downstairs from the Center for New Americans) helps people with questions about fair employment.