Transferable Skills That Will Prepare You for a Clerical Job

11 Apr Transferable Skills That Will Prepare You for a Clerical Job

There’s been a lot of talk lately about transferable skills — but what does that mean? What are they? And how can you use yours to land a new clerical job? 

First, a definition: Transferable skills are those that are not directly related to a specific job or company. These can include “soft” skills, like communication and teamwork, but also “hard” skills like data analysis and coding.

Here’s how the skills you already have, or can acquire, can help you land a new clerical job when it’s time for a change. 

• Communication. This is a big one. Good communication skills are so important in every job, in all lines of work and in life. The ability to clearly and quickly relay information in a way that does not cause confusion is vital. It helps people understand their responsibilities and their role in a project; it helps the transfer of information to people across teams and between clients. In a clerical role, this also means the ability to keep your team on track and on target. Remember, too, that listening is as important as speaking: The ability to hear a presentation or take notes during a meeting and walk away with the key points and priorities clearly in mind helps keep everyone else up-to-date and in line. 

• Adaptability. This is huge in clerical roles: One day you might be filing, while the next you might be charged with mapping out a five-year vision with a new executive who’s looking to shake things up. You have to be able to adjust your priorities on the fly and not hesitate or take too long to shift gears. The ability to be flexible and quickly move from one task to another is vital! 

• Computer skills. The ability to create and manipulate spreadsheets, make presentations, post on social media, build websites — we’re living in a computer- and data-driven world and your ability to keep up with trends, tools and techniques can quickly make you incredibly valuable to your team. With some offices still utilizing remote and hybrid working, setting up video calls and troubleshooting as needed is as necessary a skill as being able to write and check email. 

• Organization. Do you pride yourself on being able to produce details on any project at a moment’s notice? Do  you know exactly where in your desk you can find an important document? Is your calendar color-coordinated to distinguish meetings and appointments from deadlines? Organizational skills keep you on top of everything all at once, which means you’re able to see, at a glance, where everything else stands. 

• Creativity and problem solving. These go hand-in-hand: Can you take a messy, complicated situation and find a new and innovative way to fix it? Do you see opportunities where others feel stress? Do you like having the freedom and flexibility to try new things to see if something might be more efficient or effective and, if it doesn’t work out, learning how to try again in the future? Creative thinkers are so important because they’re the ones who are able to find ways around brick walls when people get lost in their own thoughts. Problem solving and creativity go together because strong problem solving skills are often found in those who are unafraid to think differently. 

All of these skills are not beholden to one specific company, one specific job or one specific title. And they can all move from place to place — you might need to learn different computer programs or organizational systems, but the foundation is there and it’s all within you. 

If you’re ready to look for a new clerical job but aren’t sure where to start, call LeadingEdge Personnel. We have great companies looking for someone with your skills and will understand how to help you get the most from your strengths. Call LeadingEdge today and let’s get started!