By MAX MESSMER
Scripps Howard News Service
Job seekers looking to change fields may find it beneficial to highlight their transferable skills in their resume and cover letter. Transferable skills are competencies you've acquired in your professional or personal life that can be applied to any number of jobs. Communication, leadership and critical-thinking abilities have universal applications, for instance.
The following candidates emphasized qualifications that have little relevance to their professional pursuits:
"PERSONAL: Pizza-eating champion."He's a slice above the competition.
"SKILLS: I'm as cool as the other side of the pillow."Clever, but hiring managers will probably greet this resume with a lukewarm response.
"SKILLS: I can find my way around a French menu."Bon appetit!
"SKILLS: I am tired of settling for mediocrity."That's more of a complaint than a qualification.
"TECHNICAL SKILLS: I always travel with a digital camera, an audio recorder and a pack of Starburst."You've given us something to chew on.
Unlike the examples above, this career-changer effectively highlighted his transferable skills:
COVER LETTER: "I've spent the last year volunteering for a charity on the weekends, and the experience has shown me that helping others is my true passion. I hope to move into fundraising after a decade in marketing, most recently as a senior strategist. I offer an array of qualifications relevant to your nonprofit's needs, including strong communication abilities, excellent presentation skills and expertise in leading large-scale initiatives."Finally, remember to check the spelling in your documents. I recently came across the resume of a job seeker who repeatedly touted his strong "lidership" abilities.
COVER LETTER: "My work with in-home child care has taught me responsibility and patients."Patience (when proofreading) is a virtue.
(For more Resumania, visit www.resumania.com. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif. 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998. Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of the specialized staffing firm Robert Half International and author of "Managing Your Career For Dummies" and "Job Hunting For Dummies," 2nd Edition. His most recent book is "Human Resources Kit For Dummies," 2nd Edition.)
