Being able to identify what your skills are, and relating them to the skills needed for specific jobs or types of work, is an important skill in itself.

It can help you to:

·         feel more confident about applying for work

·         decide what jobs to apply for

·         write a good CV

·         fill in job application forms

·         impress employers at interviews.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to do. Most people, when asked about their skills, struggle to think of more than one or two. Some will say they don’t have any!

Of course, it isn’t true. It’s just that it’s not something we give much thought to on a day-to-day basis. In fact, we usually underestimate our skills and abilities, or take them for granted.

Follow the steps below to help you to think about what can do well, and how you can match your skills with those needed for different vacancies.

Step 1: List your main life experiences

Take a large sheet of paper. Start noting down all your main life experiences so far. For example:

• school (subjects you studied, projects you’ve done, visits or special events you’ve taken part in)
• part-time work (Saturday jobs, holiday jobs, babysitting, paper-rounds)
• work experience (placements you’ve had through school or college)
• training (from one day first-aid sessions to Modern Apprenticeships)
• college (courses, projects, work placements)
• holidays (you might have learned to ski, read maps or plan a journey)
• home life (maybe you’ve had to look after others or learn practical skills)
• leisure time (interests, hobbies or clubs).

They don’t have to be in any particular order. Just write down what comes into your head. Don’t expect to finish this exercise straight away. You’ll almost certainly forget some things, and want to go back to them later.   

Step 2: List the skills you’ve learned from your experiences

Now look closely at each experience you’ve listed. What skills did you learn from the experience?

For example, at school the project you did for Craft and Design showed:

• how well you can use your hands
• that you can take an idea from a drawing to the production stage.

Your part-time work on a paper round shows employers that:

• you can cope with early starts
• you have stamina.

Try putting the information into a table. Take the time to do this exercise properly as you’ll discover a lot about yourself and this will be helpful in writing your CV or filling in application forms. It will also help with the interviews which, hopefully, will follow.
        

You will notice that you develop most skills through more than one activity!

Also, while some skills are specific to a particular job or activity, others are ‘transferable’. You can use them in most jobs or activities.

These are the ‘Core Skills’ - Communication, Numeracy,  Information Communication Technology, Problem Solving and Working with Others.

Now try filling in your own table

My skills list

So far, so good - but don’t start to fill in your form or write your CV just yet! Go on to Step 2.

Step 3: Find out what skills the employer wants

Different jobs need different skills. Before you fill in an application form, write your CV or go for interview you need to think about the skills the employer wants for the specific job you are applying for.

The job advertisement, the job description or the information pack that came from the employer should give you some helpful hints.

Some skills are important in most jobs. We call these ‘core’ or ‘transferable’ skills, for example, working as part of a team. Other skills will be specific to that particular type of work or to that specific job, for example, taking care of plants.

What if it’s not clear from the advert?

If you’re not sure from the information you have you could also:

• imagine you are the employer (What skills would you expect the ideal applicant to have?)
• have a look at a job profile or job description from a career information database (like PlanIT Plus at www.planitplus.net ) or a careers library. Look for the information on the actual work and personal qualities you need for the job.   

Step 4: Compare your skills with the skills needed for the job

Once you’ve listed the skills for the job compare the list with your own skills list.  How well do the two lists match up? Remember, you are trying to persuade the employer that you are the ideal person for the job. Think about how you can show them that you have the skills and qualities they are looking for. Home in on the skills you and the job have in common.

 Now you try.

• What job are you applying for?
• What impression do you want to make?
• What skills do you need for that job?
• Can you show that you have those skills?

Think about the job you are applying for. Try to identify 4 or 5 skills you need for the job, and work out how you can show that you have these skills. 

This will help you get into the habit of giving the employer examples of how you’ve used the skills. You’ll also find it useful to draw up a table where you compare the skills the employer wants with your own skills.

Try completing your own table, for a job you would like                                 

You should have a much clearer picture of your skills now.

And finally

Here are some skill-related phrases that you might find helpful when you are writing a CV, filling in an application form or preparing a letter of application.

I developed problem solving skills …

I developed leadership skills through …

I have experience of analysing and planning

I have a good sense of humour

I am learning to drive, or I can drive

I am used to working to a budget because …

I am learning, or can speak a foreign language

I am capable of working well as an individual and as part of a team …

I can organise and deliver work on time

I can use a range of hand and power tools including …

I successfully completed a project or investigation in …

I can solve problems in a resourceful way

I can encourage and influence others …

I can use new technology such as …

I can use a variety of word processing packages

I have learned to keep calm under pressure

I can communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing

I have well-developed keyboard skills

I have experience of working with the public in …

I enjoy working with figures

I opened, sorted and distributed the office mail

I responded to customer requests for …

I gained experience of cash handling procedures

I performed reception duties

I answered the telephone and took messages

I gained experience of working with elderly people

I gained experience of operating a till

I gained experience of working with children

When you are writing a CV, filling in an application form or preparing a letter of application you might also find the following two lists useful.

Skills list

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right word. Here are a few that might help.

Personal qualities list

Remember that employers will look for specific personal qualities, as well as skills. Your personal qualities are the parts of your personality that help you to use your skills effectively. Make sure that you also let the employer know that you have the right personal qualities for the job.