Identify Skills
- Most job seekers cannot identify what they want to do. Taking time to analyze skills, interests, and abilities will help to narrow the scope of the job search and provide a guide to writing a focused resume.A focused resume allows employers to determine how the applicant will fit in their organization.
- First, create a list of all the skills possessed.These should be activities from both in and outside (leisure time) of the work place.The inventory should include skills currently being use as well as those from past employment. Remember - don’t restrict the list to job related skills only. Skills are acquired from all activities in life, including volunteer work.
- The general criteria for defining an activity as a skill is when applied there is a measurable result.Acquiring a measurable result is when something is produced by the activity, for example:
- Writing produces a document.
- Research produces an infinite amount of material that can be analyzed.
- Communication produces an interaction between people and can be counted.
- Teaching produces information passed to other people who can demonstrate their understanding and learning through testing.
Answering the following questions may help with the development of skills identification
- What can you do?
- What are your interests and abilities?
- What do you already know about yourself?
- What do you enjoy?
- What motivates you?
- What do you do well?
- What comes naturally to you?
- What are your hobbies?
