Identifying Your Skills
What are you good at?
Have you ever thought about it? In a truly critical, analytical way? Have you actually sat down and listed
your skills and capabilities?
This may seem basic, but its not. Even if youve attempted to start a list, it is very likely you didnt go far
enough or deep enough and thus missed a few outlets for your skills that might very well unlock the key to
your career future
The following exercise can help you truly identify the skills you currently use (or may not use) and this
will set the stage to see if theyre transferable to another industry.
There are three major categories of skill identification. You deal with people, things and information
everyday. In each category, this requires a skill or combination of several skills. You might not even
realize the extent of your ability in an area. You probably know what youre not good at or what you dont
like doing, but pinpointing exact skills is not necessarily easy.
People. Lets divide your skills at dealing with people into working with individuals and working with
groups.
Individuals: In working with individuals singly, are you good at:
- communicating in direct conversation or on the phone?
- communicating well by the written word?
- helping, serving or receiving and carrying out instructions?
- referring people, or helping put two people together?
- advising, monitoring, coaching or counseling?
- teaching, instructing, training or tutoring?
- persuading, motivating or selling?
- assessing, evaluating or interpreting others?
- diagnosing, healing or treating?
- Groups: In working with organizations, companies or associations, are you good at:
- making presentations?
- communicating by written word like a newsletter?
- public speaking?
- leading or moderating a group discussion?
- preparing seminars or other educational events?
- training large groups?
- consulting or giving advice?
- leading or taking the lead?
- coaching others in recreation or exercise?
- performing, acting, singing, amusing or inspiring?
- motivating, persuading or selling?
- negotiating a settlement of some kind?
- following through, getting things finished, producing?
- managing or running a business?
- supervising?
- initiating or beginning a concept, idea or business?
Think carefully about each of these items. Answer fairly and honestly. Theres no reason to try and fool
anyone. This is not a personality test! Youre simply attempting to frame your likes and dislikes about
dealing with individuals, singly or in groups.