Transferable skills
As I have been delving into the world of ‘what is my practise’ I thought I would dedicate a blog to ‘Transferable skills’…to what I am doing during the year of 2020… the Covid- 19 pandemic…
I should have spent this year cruising around the Caribbean, being a beach bum and performing some dreamy shows! However my world came crashing down on March 23rd, when I had to debark the beautiful Freedom of the seas, fly home from Barbados and wave goodbye to my wonderful cast! With no clue that 6 months later I would still be home…
After I’d say, about 2 and a half months of grieving, netflix, home workouts and many wine bottles later, I thought it was time that I came back to reality and got a job… a normal job… This has fortunately been the first normal job I’ve had to get in about 5 years and the thought of it filled me with anxiety and dread.
Anyway, cut to point, I am now working in a pub / waitressing / bar work / cleaning / making deserts, you name it!
But ‘hey ho’ I don’t think I would have signed up for this degree course If any of this didn’t happen! So we always have to look on the bright side right?
So this got me thinking about what transferable skills have I taken from my practise, to apply to working in the hospitality industry.
I created this spider diagram to get my thoughts flowing…
What are transferable skills?
‘Transferable skills are a core set of skills and abilities, which can be applied to a wide range of different jobs and industries.
They’re usually picked up over time, and can be gained from previous positions, charity or voluntary work, your hobbies, or even just at home.’
reed.co.uk. 2020. What Are Transferable Skills? | Reed.Co.Uk. [online] Available at: <https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/what-are-transferable-skills/> [Accessed 4 October 2020].
As performers I think we are extremely employable, adaptable and easily pick up the skills for a new job. We follow instructions fast and are generally very hardworking. My new boss said to me, the hospitality industry has been at an advantage getting to employ out of work performers during this pandemic. This really got me thinking about my current job and where my skills are transferable…
-When I am a cleaner I have to have high standards and high precision to detail. All my dancing training from a child through to an adult has taught me these skills. From picking up detailed choreography, learning song lyrics and scripts to cleaning my costumes during a handover on the cruise ship. This job is actually very physical and I have to have lots of stamina to work at a fast pace and a good physical condition to hoover and scrub and clean a large area.
-When I waitress, I personally think because I am physically fit, it gives me an advantage over my co workers. I can move fast and carry heavy objects and all this strength gained has been from all my training.
-Hospitality customer service, smiling and being polite… well all us fellow performers know how to act professionally and turn on the ‘razzle dazzle’ when we need to and that is exactly the same as providing excellent customer service in the restaurant. We always have to go above and beyond In our line of work and its no different when serving.
-Working to deadlines, I have to clean the whole restaurant area in the mornings in two hours I have to move fast and be thorough. When I waitress I have to work to deadlines so the customers can be wined and dined in a reasonable amount of time and that their food is on the table still hot or their desert hasn’t melted! When we put on a show, or during rehearsals, we are always trying to get things done efficiently and to a time fame. When I am dance captain on board I never like to waste anyones time and in return I expect that they show up to my rehearsals, or the show, at their call time. This is the same for any job! You have to be on the ball and show up on time to keep the business running smoothly.
-Team work and problem solving…sometimes things don’t always go to plan and we have technology that doesn’t work, or we are short of staff and we have to still provide excellent service. We have to think on our feet and act quickly to resolve any issues. During our jobs as peformers, we often have last minute or on the spot reblocks. We have to quickly change the show to fool the audience that there’s not someone missing or we have to quickly go on for an understudy part and we need the whole team being supportive and working together! The show must go on!
-Looking neat and presentable. I could never turn up to a job looking messy or not polished and I think thats from the high standards we are taught from a young age during dance class, performances and presenting ourselves whilst auditioning. You always have to put your best foot forward and I think, if you don’t look the part, you wont act the part. You wont feel your best or do your best!
I can say that I am proud of how hard I have been working, for a job I am completely un-passionate about and how positive I am staying even with all the set backs! Us performers have tough skins and we persevere through everything! We should all be so proud for being part of the most competitive industry in the world… but you know I wouldn’t change it for anything!
Great post Emily! I totally agree that performers have 'tough skins!'
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show- how many ex performers are on this course.... I could count on one hand how many of my 'muggle' friends would sign up for this degree to enable their future careers. They are mostly happy to do the bare minimum , but performers go above and beyond. X
I love the use of muggle haha!! It's my favourite! But your point is so true and we are all such hard workers and it shows with how engaged and driven we all are for doing this! Especially in this otherwise awful year!
ReplyDeleteReally great read Emily! It's so true that in the arts we have SO many transferrable skills.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to presentation I will never forget once working on a reception desk in London and accountants and lawyers coming in for interviews. I was blown over by how 'unpresentable' they were. Their clothes, hair and way they presented themselves honestly shocked me. I put it down to the high standards that had been instilled in me throughout my life dancing.
I can't imagine being a performer right now, how difficult it must be. You have shown just how resilient performers are and how well we can transfer these skills into other areas of our lives.
I love that story! It's so true though! I can imagine even if you took dance lessons your whole childhood and didn't choose it as a career, it's still instilled in you to care about how presentable you look from all those years or slick black buns and stage makeup!
DeleteTo be honest obviously our industry has been hugely hit during these times but I know so many people all over the world will be feeling the same from losing their jobs too!
Thanks for your comments Jen :)
i loved this blog post, it actually made me a bit emotional! but it's all so true, we are very thick skinned and not only do we have the skills you mentioned, but we also have to research other jobs to be able to convincingly play them on stage. I think our industry is one of the most agile and versatile out there and perhaps some certain people should start seeing how viable we are and do something to help!
ReplyDeleteAhhh bless you!! I know haha I think I've had every emotion possible this past 6 months!! We are so resilient and versatile! And you're RIGHT it's not all 'pretty and talent' it takes a great deal of intelligence and imagination to be able to to portray characters and perform in the right style! We are not given the credit that we deserve at all! I think people don't understand the years of intense training it takes to be a professional and they have no idea how difficult and cut throat out industry is!
DeleteHi Emily, I really loved reading this Blog! I have also been thinking about the skills I used when I was performing, and how they have helped my current 'muggle' job - loving this word from Clare :) - and I couldn't agree more with the transferable skills you have presented. I also think that as performers, we have a strong critical eye where we can see problems, and because we are hard-working we work uniquely to solve these problems. We also know how to pick ourselves up when we've been knocked down. An example of this would be this current situation, even though we can't be pursuing our dreams, we've had to seek different jobs and develop our learning with this course. I thank not only our careers for these skills, but our training too! x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment Alice! I am sorry you have to have a muggle job too! Fingers crossed we will both be doing what we love very soon! Yes we are very good at picking ourselves up after a knock down and this time will only make us stronger in the long run! I'd love to read your blog If you do one on transferable skills to as its such a vast topic!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I've just discovered your post now after writing a really similar post myself a couple of days ago! I think we have some similar points about: being hard working and applying ourselves fully, also about team work and adaptability. I really respect you for discovering them, and putting those skills across out of dance. It seems like your employer is really lucky to have you ;) Would love if you checked my post out too !
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily! I will read your blog too! We are just resilient and hardworking people and we always learn to rise above the set backs and take everything with a pinch of salt!
ReplyDeleteHey Emily! I also work in a pub and agree with all of the transferable skills you have mentioned, my old boss said to me he would hire a performer over anyone else because our energy is different and we just know how to get on with things, more often than not our personalities can get us through any awkward situations. We are hard working people :) look forward to reading more posts. Rhi xx
ReplyDeleteAwww so you know exactly how I'm feeling right now! We are in this together! Yes I certainly agree we have a 'get on and do it', attitude and aren't phased by much. We are used to putting ourselves out there and working hard! :) Same I can't wait to read your blogs too!
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