Identifying your skills

IDENTIF YING

YOUR SKILLS

Georgia Department of Labor

Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner

What is a Skill?

The Three Types of Skills

A skill, as defined in Webster's New World Dictionary, is "a great ability or proficiency, expertness that comes from training, practice, etc." More simply stated, a skill is something you can do well right now.
An effective job search plan requires that you know your skills and be able to answer the skills-driven question: "Why should I hire you?" Knowing your skills offers you a distinct advantage in the job search. You will be better prepared to identify appropriate jobs that match your skills, and, present yourself more effectively in interviews, write better resumes, and land a better, more satisfying job.
By identifying your skills, you will automatically put yourself way ahead in the job hunt.
Knowing Your Skills
Research shows no single factor carries connotations that are more negative in the interview than an inability to communicate your skills.
Skills identification remains an area of weakness for most job seekers despite its importance. In fact, many employers note that most job seekers don't present their skills effectively. According to an employer survey, more than 90 percent of all the people they interviewed cannot adequately define the skills they have to support their ability to do the job. Employment experts agree that skills identification is the key to a successful job search. For this reason, it is essential that today's job seeker learn to identify and clearly communicate those skills which will be of most value to employers.

Analyzing skills for even a simple task can become quite complicated. A useful way to organize skills is to divide them into three basic types. Following is a description and examples of the three types of skills.

Adaptive Skills/Personality Traits

You use these skills everyday to survive and get along. They allow you to adapt or adjust to a variety of situations and could be considered part of your basic personality. These skills are highly valued by employers. Some examples of these skills are:

Honesty Enthusiasm Dependability Responsible Dedicated

Adaptable Creative Energetic Sincere Conscientious

These skills involve self-control when dealing with people and time.
Transferable skills

These skills can be useful in a variety of jobs. They are called transferable skills because they can be transferred from one job, or career, to another. Some examples of transferable skills are:

Writing clearly Organize tasks Advise people Observe Develop plans

Train/teach Listen Handle money File records Manage people

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DOL-4435 (06/01)

Job-Related Skills

These skills are related to a particular job or type of job. Job related skills are gained in a variety of ways including education, training, work or other life experiences. Employers require job-related skills in addition to adaptive and transferable skills. Some examples of these skills are:

Troubleshoot PC's Operate equipment Operate forklift Answer telephone Instruct students
List Your Skills

Data entry Repair cars Assemble crates Operate computer Keep records

Make a list of your skills in each category:

Adaptive Skills/Personality Traits, Transferable Skills, and JobRelated Skills. Now choose your top three from each category and practice presenting them to an employer.

Once you have identified your skills and have practiced presenting them to a prospective employer, the next step is determining where your skills can best be used by selecting appropriate job opportunities.

A Final Tip

The importance of being able to identify and explain your skills may mean the difference between getting the job or not getting the job. If you don't know your product, how can you sell it?

Visit our website at www.dol.state.ga.us
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