Mastering Transferable Skills: Navigating the Weird Realities of the Corporate World

Samchetsabam Ratankumar Singh *

We are dealing with weird positions and weird demands, and no one cares about one's concerns. We do something but expect something else, we read something but corporate demands something else, we lend something but expect something else in return, we aim for something but focus on something else, we think about something but see something else, we hear something but understand something else, we spend years in academics but corporate demands something else. It may sound funny, but it is the bitter truth happening all around us, and I assume it will continue to happen.

With my decades of experience after working in a couple of companies and cracking dozens of interviews in top MNCs, one thing I certainly realized—and I don’t want the younger generation to repeat the same mistakes—is the importance of building or leveraging transferable skills. You are bound to face the real weird world.

Try applying for a corporate job in your dream company or any company; the majority of their recruitment is from experienced candidates, people with the right skill sets, good communication skills, subject matter expertise, strong problem-solving abilities, and the ability to handle tricky situations. That is exactly what I mean by "weird"—you are caught in the continuous loop of "NO EXPERIENCE WITHOUT WORK, NO WORK WITHOUT EXPERIENCE."

What exactly do you need to do? Let's talk about it and how we should deal with such situations. The good thing is that you can take charge of yourself and create your own destiny. Anyone can ignore you, but you must treat yourself as your best asset.

For you, by you, and about you—you must go beyond the conventional methods of learning and approach it with transferable skills. You have potential, and you can think about, talk about, and sell yourself based on your transferable skills—skills innate to you that have nothing to do with your previous work experience or academic background.

Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied across different roles, industries, and situations, such as communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership. These skills are valuable because they help individuals transition between careers, navigate workplace challenges, and succeed in diverse professional environments.

Many individuals have proven that transformation is possible through transferable skills. Normal individuals like you and me have become successful in various fields without relevant experience by leveraging transferable skills.

And you know what? They crack interviews not by claiming expertise in the field but by demonstrating their research, showing their willingness to learn, meeting industry professionals, studying case studies, and understanding an organization's mission and how they can contribute.

Turning Objections into Clues

Turning objections into clues means viewing rejections or concerns as valuable insights rather than setbacks. Instead of being discouraged by objections, analyze them to understand what the other party truly needs and adjust your approach accordingly. Gisele Chapman, for example, listened to customer objections at Bristol-Myers Squibb, identified patterns, and refined her sales strategy, ultimately becoming the company’s top salesperson. By treating objections as feedback, professionals can improve their skills, build stronger relationships, and achieve greater success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Pursue objectives. Decide what you want to achieve in life, what you want to become, and what you want to be remembered for.

2. Do not take objections personally. No objection is a bad objection; it is simply a different perspective. People do not reject you based on personal relationships—this world operates on survival of the best. To succeed, you must strive to be the best in your field.

3. Translate objections into an actionable plan. Just as failure is a part of success, objections indicate where you need to focus. You may not succeed on your first attempt, and that’s okay. Instead, introspect—analyze why you didn’t get through and work on areas of improvement. Your attitude should be: "I haven’t been selected for that interview YET. I know what went wrong, and I will work on improving and succeed next time."

4. Think long-term. How you start is not as important as what you achieve and how you finish. Success in any profession is not about short-term recognition but about making a lasting impact and leaving a legacy, even after death. When your vision is strong and long-term, many challenges will naturally fade in significance.

Don’t Devalue Your Strengths

One can't be a master in every field. For a lasting impact and the ability to work consistently and with dedication, one should focus on what they are good at, enjoy doing, and find pleasure in spending long hours on. Additionally, it should be something that is truly needed, making you the go-to person in that particular area.

A good speaker may not be skilled at writing articles, a good writer may not excel at managing social media, and a good leader may not be proficient in blogging. However, if you have passion and enjoy what you do, you can develop and incorporate a variety of skills over time. Identify what you are good at. What you enjoy can be discovered by asking yourself key questions:

o What do you do when time flies by?
o What would you do even without compensation?

These questions help you identify energy-draining versus energy-creating areas. Our goal should be to focus on areas that generate energy, bring fulfillment, and are valuable to the world. When you’re good at something and have the potential to be the go-to person in that field, you should consider whether your skills can make a lasting impact. If the answer is yes, then while pursuing it, you won’t even notice how time flies, and your motivation won’t be driven solely by money—it will come from genuine passion and purpose.

However, when identifying our strengths, we must remember that we are not always the best judges of our own abilities. An outside perspective can provide valuable insights. Seek input from professionals, mentors, friends, or colleagues who have observed you in different settings. Those closest to you often recognize strengths in you that you might overlook. Constructive feedback can help refine your focus, ensuring that you channel your energy into the areas where you can truly excel and make a difference.

Leveraging Your Transferable Skills

Transitioning to a new role or career doesn’t always require direct experience. Often, the skills you’ve developed in past roles can be applied in new and valuable ways. The key is to recognize, communicate, and align these transferable skills with the expectations of your desired field.

1. Be transparent about relevant experience – Even if it's not direct experience, highlight the skills and knowledge you’ve gained that are applicable to the new role. Showcasing how your background aligns with the job will help employers see the value you bring.

2. Talk about your transferable skills – Emphasize the abilities that will make you successful in your new career. Skills like problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, and communication are valuable across industries, so focus on how they apply to the role you're pursuing.

3. Connect your transferable skillset with confidence – If you don’t believe in what you’re saying, no one else will. Clearly articulate how your past experiences have equipped you for success in this new field. Your confidence in your abilities will help others see your potential.

YOUR TRANSFERABLE SKILLS CAN TRUMP RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.