Below is a sample of some of the key employability skills from the Conference Board of Canada, with a breakdown and further description. Consider other skills that you have.
- Think of a time you have demonstrated these skills in the past. It might have been at home in interactions with family members, at a part-time or summer job, at school (either in the classroom or in extra-curricular interests) or through involvement in the community. Try to list at least a few examples for each skill (if applicable).
- Indicate your relative satisfaction with your skill level at this point in your life. Do you use this skill in various contexts? Do others comment on your abilities when you utilize this skill? Do you think you would be happy with a job that required you to use this skill regularly?
- Record how important it is to you to develop each of the skills further. This will help you later in designing an action plan for your ongoing personal and professional development.
Take your time in working through the list of skills. This material will be very helpful when you think about career choices, when building a résumé, and when you are preparing for a job interview.
Fundamental Skills
Communicate
- Read and understand information presented in a variety of forms (eg. words, graphs, charts, diagrams)
- Write and speak so others pay attention and understand
- Share information using a range of information and communications technologies (eg. voice, email, computers)
Manage Information
- Locate, gather, and organize information using appropriate technology and information systems
- Access, analyze, and apply knowledge and skills from various disciplines
Use Numbers
- Observe and record data using appropriate methods, tools, and technology
- Make estimates and verify calculations
Think and Solve Problems
- Assess situations and identify problems
- Seek different points of view and evaluate them based on facts
- Be creative an innovative in exploring possible solutions
- Check to see if a solution works, and act on opportunities for improvement
Personal Management Skills
Demonstrate Positive Attitudes and Behaviours
- Deal with people, problems, and situations with honesty, integrity, and personal ethics
- Show interest, initiative, and effort
Be Responsible
- Plan and manage time, money, and other resources to achieve goals
- Assess, weigh, and manage risk
- Be socially responsible and contribute to your community
Be Adaptable
- Be innovative and resourceful: identify and suggest alternative ways to achieve goals and get the job done
- Be open and respond constructively to change
- Learn from your mistakes and accept feedback
Learn Continuously
- Assess personal strengths and areas for development
- Set your own learning goals
- Identify and access learning sources and opportunities
Work Safely
- Be aware of personal and group health and safety practices and procedures, and act in accordance with them
Teamwork Skills
Work with Others
- Be flexible: respect, and be open to and supportive of the thoughts, opinions, and contributions of others in a group
- Contribute to a team by sharing information and expertise
- Manage and resolve conflict when appropriate
Participate in Projects and Tasks
- Plan, design, or carry out a project or task from start to finish with well-defined objectives and outcomes
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology for a task or project
- Continuously monitor the success of a project or task and identify ways to improve