Transferable Skills

Identifying your skills and getting that job

When applying for a job, it is important that you identify your strengths and weaknesses and get prepared to address them. By knowing your advantages, the chances of getting the job that you want will become easier. But you should not get too confident since this is one of the common mistakes that plague job applicants. Appearing too confident or as somewhat of a "know-it-all" will only get you labeled by your interviewer as unfit for the job.

Identifying your skills

First thing's first. You should identify your skills. You should be able to articulate your abilities and expertise. Many people have a hard time telling their skills and abilities as this may seem to be bragging, or "blowing your own horn". But you should not be shy or afraid to discuss your skills. In fact, it is important that you are able to convey to your potential employer exactly what your talents are. You need to be able to sell your abilities to an employer. That is how you will get the job that you want.

It is important that you don't appear arrogant or condescending but you should also avoid selling yourself short. If the interviewer asks you about your strengths or what separates you from the other applicants, you should be able to readily give a good answer. But before you even get to the interview part, your resume should highlight your skills and talents for your prospective employer to see.

Type of skills

There are two main types of skills, hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are tangible in the sense that these are things that you do such as: knowing how to operate different kinds of machinery, knowledge of a specialized computer program, ability to type quickly, skills on using many types of tools, credentials regarding special crafts, etc. Soft skills are skills that are rather abstract in nature like personal qualities. This may include: communication or interpersonal skills, being a good team player, having the ability to work on your own, being enthusiastic or organized and decisive.

The steps to follow

1. Begin by making a list of your previous jobs and experience acquired

Make a list of all the companies that you worked for and the things that you learned from these jobs. There will be a lot of things to list and you should be careful enough not to forget even the smallest things or activities that you were part of or organized. Often we forget skills because they are so muh a part of us that we do them without thinking. Take some time to itemize all the things you do in a day or a week. It is also a good idea to list the volunteer activities that you participated in.

2. Include a list of your hobbies

Although it might sound trivial at first, it is also very helpful to list some of your hobbies. There are a lot of abilities that your prospective employer may get from your hobby list and it will also give them an idea of your personality.

For example, if you were part of the school's debating team, then your employer may deduce that you have good analytical skills. If you were a champion chess player, then your employer will have the impression that you are good at making critical decisions. Think of your daily routine and the things that you do and often take for granted. Are you an organized person who always keeps your things in proper order? Are you an extrovert that can easily make friends in a matter of minutes? These may seem ordinary to normal things to you, but your future boss might think otherwise.

3. Deciding what career you want

After listing all your skills and all the things that you do well, you may now decide what field or career you want to take a crack at. Select the skills contained from your list and partner it with the employment you are seeking. Always take time to consider if your skills are relevant to the job that you are aspiring for. Don't worry if you have to cut out some of the skills from your list. It is important to focus on skills that the prospective employer will probably value.

4. Stand by what you write

You should be realistic about your skills and the level of expertise that you have with it. For example, if you indicate that you are a very organized person, then you should be able to show this to the interviewer by being able to organize your thoughts and effectively use the time that was given for your interview.

If you have someone prepare your resume for you, it is important that you be comfortable with what it says. Don't be pressured into putting skills on your resume that you are not confident about. The employer will be able to "read" your unease from your body language. Make sure that you have a "story" or example for each item of strength you list in your highlights.

It is important to know your skills every time you are job hunting. Always put your best foot forward and good luck!

Fran Watson

P.S. If you would like some help with your resume or job search, contact me