Unlocking the Power of Transferable Skills in Your Next Tech Hire
11 Minute ReadJuly 2024
By concentrating on hiring for transferable skills, your business can attain increased flexibility and adaptability to ensure you stay ahead in the competitive industry. Hiring managers must keep in mind that acquiring a versatile skill set and mindset from tech candidates enables organisations to excel and overcome challenges within the sector.
In this guide, we will answer the question, 'What transferable skills?’ and discuss the many benefits they offer businesses. We will also explore the essential transferable skills employers should look for when hiring tech candidates, providing top tips for employers on identifying transferable tech skills on resumes and in interview processes.
What Are Transferable Skills?
Transferable skills within the technology field are specific expertise that can be applied to new roles. Essential for identifying ideal candidates, transferable skills entail technical abilities, traits, and personal attributes like leadership and communication that have been developed through previous jobs. These skills can seamlessly transition to new careers and industries. Transferable skills are essential in driving innovation and staying ahead of advancements within the competitive world of technology.
Now that we have answered the question ‘What are transferable skills?’ let's delve into some of the endless benefits they can bring to your business:
What are the Benefits of Unlocking Transferable Skills?
Encourages adaptability and versatility: Individuals possessing transferable skills can quickly adjust to new roles or engage in multiple projects. Their ability to adapt makes it simpler to respond to evolving organisational requirements or additional responsibilities. This flexibility supports companies in navigating business uncertainties and responding more effectively to changes in the market.
Reduces training time: Hiring tech candidates who possess suitable transferable skills means that fewer training resources are needed to upskill professionals, as they can use their existing skill sets to learn new technological concepts quickly, reaching maximum potential over a shorter period of time.
Knowledge sharing: Candidates in the tech industry with transferable skills from prior roles can bring valuable insights and perspectives, enabling businesses to develop a broad knowledge base. This enhances efficiency, productivity, and innovation within the tech sector.
Hiring for potential leaders: Hiring managers aim to onboard potential future leaders who can be placed in senior or management positions to encourage collaboration, innovation, and meet project goals. Candidates who possess transferable skills, particularly leadership and communication qualities, are highly sought after.
What Are the Most Essential Transferable Skills?
Now that we have uncovered the several benefits of transferable tech skills, let's explore the essential transferable skills hiring managers should look for in tech candidates:
Basic Coding Fundamentals
If a candidate has had prior coding experience, whether on a basic or complex level, these abilities can be applied to other related tech roles and industries. Some essential elements of transferable basic coding skills include:
Basic testing principles: Candidates who possess knowledge of basic testing principles are extremely valuable when testing code and software in related roles. Testing skills are essential in all tech sectors to ensure code and software are high-quality, efficient, reliable, and protected against cyber security threats, enhancing overall user experience.
Basic data structures and algorithms: Knowledge of data structures and algorithms involves constructing cognitive frameworks to structure information, solve problems, and form innovative solutions. This adaptable skill set empowers tech candidates to manage difficult situations, excel across multiple sectors, and expand their knowledge throughout their careers.
Automation and scripting: Employers seek candidates proficient in automation and scripting, as these transferable skills can be applied across various industries beyond strictly software development sectors, where manual tasks must be automated and performed accurately.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Tech candidates with transferable AI skills can promote productivity and innovation within the industry. For example, according to a recent study, programmers who use AI could code 126% more projects per week, making it appealing to employers.
Some of the most beneficial transferable skills in AI include:
Data analysis and interpretation: Data visualisation from AI can be applied to numerous job roles across several sectors. Data visualisation simplifies complex information and makes it visually engaging to audiences. It enhances problem-solving and decision-making by revealing patterns and anomalies, enabling effective analysis, identifying root causes, and formulating informed decisions based on data-driven insights.
Programming languages: Skills in programming languages extend beyond just syntax. It involves gaining a valuable mental framework for logical thinking, creative problem-solving, and adapting to change. This versatile skill set prepares individuals to excel in various tech roles, from software developers to computer systems analysts, driving innovation within your business.
Algorithm familiarity: Algorithm familiarity is a valuable transferable skill employers should look for in tech candidates. Algorithms offer systematic methods for addressing complex challenges. It is easy to break down problems into more manageable steps, forming efficient solutions. This skill extends beyond coding and can be applied to research data where algorithms like regression analysis drive meaningful conclusions.
Basic Software Development Principles
Here are some examples of key transferable skills employers should look at during the tech recruitment process regarding software principles:
Data analysis - The ability to pinpoint the central challenge, and opt for the most suitable principle is a skill that goes beyond coding, making candidates stand out. For example, grasping the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle in research analysis ensures clear and concise reporting and facilitates organised data analysis.
Efficient code writing - Principles in software development, such as KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself), promote the creation of reliable code. These principles contribute to heightened productivity and a decrease in coding errors. Software principles like these can be applied not only to code but also to other elements, such as research and data analysis, making it a great transferable skill within various sectors, making it valuable to employers.
Problem-solving - The DRY and SRP (single responsibility principle) software principles are great problem-solving tools, allowing professionals to break down and understand complex chunks of information to design logical solutions. Knowledge of these principles can be applied to several job roles and sectors within tech, such as project management, making it an appealing and valuable transferable skill for tech candidates
Adaptability
Below are some of the most essential transferable skills employers should navigate during the tech recruitment process relating to adaptability:
Keeping up with tech advancements - Employers should seek tech candidates capable of adjusting to changes and embracing new advancements. The tech industry is competitive, where technological innovation and methodologies are consistently being introduced. Employers should seek tech candidates who possess the transferable skill of adaptability to stay ahead in the tech industry.
Continuous learning - Hiring managers must look for tech candidates who are passionate about continuous learning to stay ahead in their careers. Hiring candidates who can keep up with new advancements within the field and upskill their knowledge whenever necessary is essential.
Flexibility - One of the most essential elements of adaptability as a transferable skill is flexibility. Employers should evaluate tech candidates who demonstrate the flexibility to modify their work styles and schedules as needed, allowing them to stay ahead of advancements within the industry.
Communication and Collaboration
According to recent research, organisations encouraging collaboration and communication in the workplace have been linked to reducing employee turnover rates by 50%, making it a valuable skill employers should seek in tech candidates.
Let’s explore some of the key transferable skills involved in collaboration and communication:
Articulate clear technical concepts - Employers must consider whether a tech candidate can communicate complex technical concepts to various teams and individuals of all educational backgrounds so that concepts are easily understandable. Being able to convey information clearly and concisely is a valuable transferable skill in the tech industry.
Presenting ideas - Employers should also consider strong presentation skills as transferable skills when hiring tech candidates. The ability to offer new ideas and tell a compelling story in an engaging and understandable manner can enhance team performance and boost productivity.
Collaborate with diverse teams - When hiring tech candidates, employers must acknowledge that candidates should be able to communicate effectively with different teams. By sharing important knowledge and different perspectives and allocating work in alignment with specific skill sets, candidates effectively drive innovation and enhance team performance.
How to Identify Transferable Skills in Resumes and Interviews
Now that we have uncovered some of the key transferable skills hiring managers should look for in tech candidates, let's explore the strategies in how you as an employer can identify these in resumes and interviews:
Interviews
During an interview, there are several methods employers can take when unlocking transferable skills in tech candidates:
Behavioural Interviews and Tailored Questions - Behavioural interviews reveal transferable skills by asking candidates to describe their past applications of these skills. This method enables candidates to highlight their interpersonal abilities, teamwork and collaboration qualities by drawing on real-life scenarios and experiences. Tailoring behavioural interview questions in a way that encourages candidates to reveal thought processes is essential. One great example of a question to ask a tech candidate could be, ‘Describe a time when you had to overcome a specific challenge’.
Reference checks - When assessing transferable skills, employers must complete reference checks to gauge whether candidates used valuable skills consistently, providing a real-world evaluation based on previous experiences and job roles. Reference checks also offer the potential for employers to ask specific questions to spot any red flags, such as lack of communication and adaptability.
Skills assessments - Skills assessments essentially act as talent detectors during hiring. One example of a skill assessment in tech is a whiteboard interview, where candidates are required to solve a coding challenge and demonstrate their logic and thought processes on a whiteboard. This allows employers to easily identify both technical skills directly related to the role and interpersonal skills such as communication and analytical thinking.
Rating scales - Employers can employ rating scales as an additional method to evaluate transferable skills in tech candidates. Hiring managers have the flexibility to implement numerical scales, such as 1 to 10, or descriptive scales, such as poor and excellent, to rate candidates' skills based on indicators and observations. Rating scales are an excellent method for employers when recording observations of transferable skills.
2. Resume Review
As well as interviews, employers have the opportunity to identify transferable skills from resumes by using the following strategies:
Analyse keywords and accomplishments - When looking through a resume, employers must focus on identifying keywords and phrases, such as ‘communicated with’ and ‘completed a project’. This allows employers to easily access the necessary transferable skills and accomplishments relevant to the advertised role.
Compare the skills with the job description - Once employers have identified key transferable skills and accomplishments on a resume, it is important to analyse and compare whether the skills and experience align with the specifications in the job advertisement to assess whether the tech candidates have transferable skills that can be applied to the role.
Navigate links between skills and experience - Employers must find insightful links between skills and relevant experience. They should particularly look for examples of tech candidates who have conveyed how they have put particular transferable skills into real-world practice and specific projects.
Use ATS (Applicant tracking system) - Applicant tracking systems (ATS) extend beyond basic keyword matching, incorporating natural language processing (NLP) to recognise transferable skills. According to research, 94% of recruiters say using an ATS has improved their hiring process. ATS can effectively match skills to relevant roles, making it a valuable tool for employers looking for transferable skills within a resume.
Closing Remarks on Unlocking Transferable Skills
This guide has successfully answered the question, ‘What are transferable skills?’ and uncovered the essential transferable skills in tech candidates, ranging from coding fundamentals and AI expertise to software development principles, adaptability, and communication. It has also provided practical tips for employers on identifying these skills through interviews, reference checks, skills assessments, and resume reviews. Understanding and appreciating the significance of these skills is essential for employers seeking to make informed hiring decisions and build dynamic, innovative teams in the ever-evolving tech sector.
The guide further provides insights on how to identify candidates with transferable skills through behavioural interviews. Techniques like tailored questions, reference checks, skills assessments, and rating scales allow employers to gauge a candidate's real-world application of transferable skills. Modern applicant tracking systems equipped with natural language processing enhance the efficiency of identifying these skills, even when not explicitly mentioned in resumes.
In the tech industry, pursuing transferable skills ensures that organisations can stay ahead of technological advancements, encourage innovation, and build resilient teams.
Connecting Tech Businesses to Global Talent
Our team of specialists in tech recruitment has the expertise to connect your business with top tech candidates who possess the transferable skills needed to drive innovation within your business. With our business solutions services, we use our extensive resources, networks and industry expertise to source the best candidates.
Whether you are an employer looking for your next hire or a tech candidate looking for their next career opportunity, contact our team today to discuss your requirements.
