by Sun Meilan

Created on: November 06, 2009   Last Updated: April 20, 2012

It is rare to find two jobs that are exactly the same. Therefore, when you are applying for a new job, whether it is in the same field or not, you will need to show evidence that you have amassed skills that will be of use to your potential employer. This is all the more important if you are considering a complete change of career - from working in retail to office manager, for example. Here are some ways to ensure that you clearly

demonstrate transferable skills in your resume.

First of all, you need to take a good, hard look at the job specifications for the job for which you are applying. Think about the skills required and decide whether or not you have them. Hopefully you will, so list the skill, along with a series of situations in which you can prove you have that skill. For example, if people skills is a requirement, and you frequently liaised with sellers and buyers, list it. It may not be complete proof that you would be excellent in customer services, but it gives the impression that you probably would be. This could take some time and may not even be something that you want to do all in one go, but once you have your complete list, you will be well on your way to proving to your potential employer that you do have plenty of transferable skills.

Skills that are obviously transferable are such things as communication skills, research skills, the ability to learn quickly, quality control, computer skills, the ability to work in a team or separately (depending on the job), leadership skills and being able to troubleshoot. Most jobs require these skills at some point, so you should be able to come up with plenty of examples.

If you have just come out of education and don't have much work experience, or you have been out of work for some time, there are still ways that you can show you have skills that can transfer across. The ability to run a home and care for a family is a skill that can be used in the workplace. Research skills that you hone as a student are always needed. If you ran the University football club or the local mums' and toddlers' group, this shows you have leadership skills and the ability to communicate with people. If you worked abroad, you have the ability liaise with people from different backgrounds. Think outside of the box and you will be amazed at just what skills you have.

The next step is to clearly show what you have come up with in your resume. This can be difficult when you only have a page or two in which to lay out your

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