Skills Identification

…tell employers what you can do for them!

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.

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.

Identify your skills through: 1. Self reflection 2. Researching resources

1. Self-reflection Skills Identification Exercise

Describe major tasks that you've performed (or accomplishments) and list the skills used.

Example:

Task / Skills
Answering telephones / Knowledge of phone systems, listening, mediating, communicating, respectful, helpful, resolving conflict, pleasant, sensitive, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, friendly, intelligent, kind, tactful, understanding
Creating and delivering a presentation / PowerPoint expertise, researching, compiling and organizing information, creativity, public speaking, explaining ideas clearly

Career Centre

Champlain College Room 204

748-1011 x6012

Self-Management Skills
Creative
Decisive
Dependable
Detail-Oriented Enthusiastic /
Flexible
Highly Motivated
Inventive
Kind
Learn Quickly /
Open-Minded
Physically Strong
Results-Oriented Sincere
Sociable /
Tactful
Tolerant
Tough
Trusting
Understanding
Transferable Skills
People Skills / Communicating
Conflict Resolution
Counselling
Diversity / Group Facilitating
Instructing
Interviewing
Mediating /
Problem Solving
Respect
Responsive
Sensitive
Dealing with Data / Analyzing
Calculating Computing
Compiling /
Examining
Financial or Fiscal Analysis
Financial Management
Evaluating
/ Organizing
Problem Solving
Recording Facts
Research
Using Words and Ideas /
Articulate
Brainstorming
Correspondence
Design
/
Inventive
Logical
Promotional Writing
Public Speaking
/ Verbal Communication
Sign Language
Speech Writing
Telephone Skills
Leadership /
Direct Others
Goal Setting
Influence Others
Initiate New Tasks / Judgment
Manage, Direct Others
Mediate Problems
Motivate People
Results-Oriented /
Self-Directed
Self-Motivated
Solve Problems
Strategic Planning
Supervision

Adapted from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development website

  1. Researching Resources for Skills Identification

Check out: Blueprint for Life/Work at seeker.jobbank.gc.ca/seeker

Essential Skills at canada.ca/en/employment-social-development

Career Centre website > Career Guide Self Assessment

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.

TrentUniversity Career Centre

748-1011 ext.1385