How to write about transferable skills for your NHSScotland job application

NHSScotland is recruiting now and you have the skills we need!

View our helpful transferable skills animation, which will get you thinking about all the great transferable skills you could bring to a role with NHSScotland.

Transcript

NHSScotland is recruiting now. Here's proof you already have what it takes.

If you're doing this [white male character working in a travel agent] it means you have these skills [words appear on screen: problem solving, using technology, verbal communication, listening, building relationships, attention to detail], which means you could be doing this [white male character shown working on a hospital reception desk], or this [white male character shown walking with a female patient in a park], or this [white male character shown working as a domestic assistant mopping a floor].

If you're doing that [black female character working as a waitress], it means you have these skills [words shown on screen: working in a team, using technology, verbal communication, listening, time management, attention to detail], which means you could be doing that [black female character shown working as a healthcare support worker, aiding an elderly patient], or that [black female character shown in an office, sitting at a desk and talking on the telephone], or that [black female character shown working as a hospital porter, transporting a patient who is sitting in a wheelchair].

Whether you're doing this [black female character shown working as a waitress in a restaurant], or that [white male character appears on screen], or those [a taxi driver, supermarket worker, warehouse worker and office worker appear on screen], you already have the skills the NHS is looking for.

Find out more at careers.nhs.scot/skills.

Transferable skills

You have lots of useful skills that you’ll have learnt through:

work
study
hobbies or other leisure activities
volunteering

Some of these skills will be transferable. That means that the skill can be used in any of your future roles.

Examples of transferable skills that NHSScotland is looking for include:

communication
using technology
problem-solving
relationship building
attention to detail
time management
teamwork

You might have worked in a customer-facing role before. That means you’ll have lots of useful skills for an NHSScotland role. You'll have experience of doing tasks like:

communicating with a range of different people
solving problems for customers
building professional relationships with colleagues
using the computer and telephone to contact staff and customers
keeping the shop organised
working to meet sales targets

If you're still at school, you have skills like:

time management, to manage homework for various subjects with differing deadlines
teamwork, when working with other students on collaborative projects
using technology to aid your studies
communication with both teachers and other students

Transferable skills from leisure activities, such as playing sports or computer games, could include:

teamwork
communication
problem-solving
using technology

It’s important for your application that you write about your experience using these kinds of transferable skills.

Tell us how you've used each skill and describe how your skills, knowledge and experience are a good match for the role. This is especially useful for us if you haven’t worked in a similar position before.

Conclusion

No matter what role you’re coming from, you’ll already have lots of skills we need. Watch our animation and reflect on your own transferable skills.

When applying for a job in NHSScotland, make sure to write about all your skills and how you've used them in the past. This will help us learn more about you and the skills you offer.

How to apply for your perfect career in the NHS

Our recruitment process has 4 key stages

Find out more