Identifying Skills

To highlight yourself as a candidate, you will want to tell the interviewer what skills you have that will benefit their company. Many skills are transferable. That means that you can use them in different jobs and environments.

After identifying these skills, you will be able to write them in your resume and communicate them to your interviewer. Print this page and circle the skills that apply to you. Have you used any of these skills in the following: past jobs, school, volunteer work, internships/externships, extra-curricular activities?

Identifying Skills

Technology Computer Skills Microsoft Office Skills Printer Fax Internet Telephone (Multi-lines)	Communication Writing Public Speaking Translating Selling Promotion/Advertising Advising Negotiating
Leadership Supervising Managing Planning Initiating Team Building Problem Solving Flexibility	Organization Task Management Multi-Tasking Time Management Follow Through Email Management Attention to Detail Record Keeping
People Working with Others Customer Service Coaching Creativity Teamwork	Languages English Other

After identifying your transferable skills, narrow down the few that correlate to the field that you are applying to.

After you have identified your skills, you will be ready to learn how to communicate them. Use these questions to help you discover how you will articulate them.

Which of these skills did you use at your previous jobs /volunteer work /school?

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Which field was your work or experience in?

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What similarities do the two fields have?

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What compliments have you received from your co-workers or peers?

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What can you do very well?

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List some specific situations when you used your skills.

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Which three skills are most important to the field you are applying to?

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Why?

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Exercise: When you have answered these questions, practice communicating them verbally. Imagine you are on an interview. Tell the interviewer how you used these skills in your experience.