Identify Your Skills

             

Skills are the foundation of an effective work search. Employers don't  just want to know where you've been, what you’ve studied, and what job titles you've had. They want to know what you can do for them – they want to hear about your skills.

Skills come from employment, hobbies, community activities, life experiences, and education.

Check out our Skills Identification tip sheet.

Types of Skills:

Self-Management Skills 

• Used day-to-day to get along with others – the skills that make you unique
• Don't underestimate these skills, especially those that show motivation and a good work attitude; employers look for these to see how a candidate will fit into their organization

  Example:  sincerity, reliability, tactfulness, patience, flexibility, persistence, drive

Transferable Skills

• Skills that you used in one activity/job can be applied to a variety of other activities/jobs

• It’s important to identify skills developed in the past that are now relevant for careers

  Example: If you coordinate events, lead meetings, participate on teams for community activities or personal interests -- you have skills that transfer to employment.

Now that you’ve identified the skills you have, market them to employers in your cover letter, résumé, and during an interview.  To do well in an interview, explain how you’ve used your skills successfully in the past and how you anticipate using them in the job.