I read with interest, an article by Tom Huddleston Jr. about Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and star on CBS Shark Tank. According to Tom, Mark said concerning job-hunters, “The first question every interviewer is going to ask you is: ‘What did you learn during the pandemic of 2020? What skills did you add during the pandemic of 2020?’” Cuban made the remark during an interview with Dallas’ local CBS affiliate on Sunday. He went on to say, “Keep on adding to your skill-set, no matter what it is.”
I’m pretty sure he was talking about job skills. I think many jobseekers have no clue what skills they might learn during the pandemic. Binge watching TV shows is not a skill set. Making short YouTube videos while attempting a minor feat of skill like tossing a water bottle so it lands right side up is not a skill set. Well, it is but just not a job skill. Employers are looking for “transferable skills” which means a skill they can use without paying you to learn it. Many jobseekers don’t know the difference. I want to help. As a community service, here is a list of job skills that are transferable that you can learn during the pandemic for your job interviews and others that are a waste of time:
Non-transferable skills:
Face masks—You learned to how make facemasks from material found at home. Unless you’re applying for a job in a facemask factory, not transferable. The facemask made from plastic bags wasn’t a big hit.
Toilet Paper—You developed a technique to stretch toilet paper to make it longer. A valuable skill if you go into the toilet paper industry, otherwise, not transferable. You also developed a method to make toilet paper out of banana peels—not transferable.
Washing hands—You learned how to properly wash your hands. Big deal. So did everyone else.
Uses for latex gloves—You found multiple uses for latex gloves like making funny balloon animals. Of course, by now so has everyone.
Transferable job skills:
Secret language—You invented a secrete language only you and your kids can understand. This is the type of skill that the CIA is searching for. It could be used in devising codes and secret communications. Good job—transferable.
Shaking hands—You master the techniques of tapping elbows, feet or hips. Congratulations. This will be the new normal. It is useful in all fields. Look for work in customer service.
Teaching kids—You successfully home school your kids. Teaching your own kids is the toughest teaching job. This skill is useful in the education field or in law enforcement.
Cooking—You learned to cook. Congratulations. This is a much sought-after skill in the food industry and restaurant business provided no one died or got food poisoning in your family.
Cutting hair—You learned to cut your own hair and the hair of your family. You might qualify for a job as a barber. Do not provide photographs of your early attempts.
Makeup—You learned to do your own makeup and the makeup of your family. You might qualify for a job as a makeup artist. Again, don’t provide photographs of your early attempts.
I hope this gives you some ideas about what skills might be transferable. Good luck finding employment.
I’m pretty sure he was talking about job skills. I think many jobseekers have no clue what skills they might learn during the pandemic. Binge watching TV shows is not a skill set. Making short YouTube videos while attempting a minor feat of skill like tossing a water bottle so it lands right side up is not a skill set. Well, it is but just not a job skill. Employers are looking for “transferable skills” which means a skill they can use without paying you to learn it. Many jobseekers don’t know the difference. I want to help. As a community service, here is a list of job skills that are transferable that you can learn during the pandemic for your job interviews and others that are a waste of time:
Non-transferable skills:
Face masks—You learned to how make facemasks from material found at home. Unless you’re applying for a job in a facemask factory, not transferable. The facemask made from plastic bags wasn’t a big hit.
Toilet Paper—You developed a technique to stretch toilet paper to make it longer. A valuable skill if you go into the toilet paper industry, otherwise, not transferable. You also developed a method to make toilet paper out of banana peels—not transferable.
Washing hands—You learned how to properly wash your hands. Big deal. So did everyone else.
Uses for latex gloves—You found multiple uses for latex gloves like making funny balloon animals. Of course, by now so has everyone.
Transferable job skills:
Secret language—You invented a secrete language only you and your kids can understand. This is the type of skill that the CIA is searching for. It could be used in devising codes and secret communications. Good job—transferable.
Shaking hands—You master the techniques of tapping elbows, feet or hips. Congratulations. This will be the new normal. It is useful in all fields. Look for work in customer service.
Teaching kids—You successfully home school your kids. Teaching your own kids is the toughest teaching job. This skill is useful in the education field or in law enforcement.
Cooking—You learned to cook. Congratulations. This is a much sought-after skill in the food industry and restaurant business provided no one died or got food poisoning in your family.
Cutting hair—You learned to cut your own hair and the hair of your family. You might qualify for a job as a barber. Do not provide photographs of your early attempts.
Makeup—You learned to do your own makeup and the makeup of your family. You might qualify for a job as a makeup artist. Again, don’t provide photographs of your early attempts.
I hope this gives you some ideas about what skills might be transferable. Good luck finding employment.
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