They apply to most situations. However, a number of job-specific skills are also transferable. If you can operate a drill press, you have skills to operate other types of machinery. If you can balance a personal bank account, you have math aptitude skills to balance a business account. If you coordinate events, lead meetings, participate on teams for community activities or personal interests, you have skills that transfer to employment.
Transferable skills are important for many reasons.
Many job seekers are unlikely to find a job identical to their previous employment. Therefore, it is critical for them to carefully evaluate how their skills transfer into other opportunities. People seeking their first job, making a major career change, or returning to employment after a long absence will mostly use transferable skills in their job search. There are many methods for identifying skills. The goal is to generate a list of skills.