Conducting Your Own Personal Skills Assessment

Career Advice
man taking notes in front of computer
man taking notes in front of computer
3
minute read

If you are currently looking or plan to start the job hunt soon, take some time out of your day to perform a skills assessment. You'll be happy you did.

So, you're ready to make a change. But you have no clue where to start. That’s okay! Let us help you land that job that you've always wanted and take your career to the next level.

The job hunt is a daunting task and most of us loathe it. Finding work in a career path that is both rewarding and exciting can be difficult. But if you take the time to assess the skills that you have a huge weight can be lifted off your shoulders.

What is a Skills Assessment? 

It's the process of understanding the skills you possess and how competent you are in each. Identifying these key attributes helps you identify your transferable skills - the skills you want to emphasize on your resume, in conversations with recruiters, and during job interviews.

Usually, transferable skills are not associated with any specific jobs or tasks. Instead, they act like broad strokes on a canvas. They correlate with a wide range of skill sets such as critical thinking, leadership, organization skills, analysis, and communication. You can capitalize on your strengths in these skills and apply them to a diverse landscape of jobs and career paths.

How Do I Perform a Skills Assessment?

Assessing the attributes that you excel in can be intimidating, after all everyone has different things, they're good at - and not so good at. However, it doesn't have to be so difficult.

Take some time to think about the following questions:

·       What skills have you already acquired and feel competent doing?

·       What skills do you enjoy, even if you aren't proficient at them?

·       What skills would you like to learn, acquire, or develop further?

Understanding your skill set goes beyond identifying what you're good at. While that may be a part of the process, it is also important to identify the skills that you enjoy and would like to develop.

Conduct your own skills assessment here.

How Do My Skills Compare?

A skills assessment can also come in handy when it comes time to apply for a job. By identifying your skill set you can compare it with the responsibilities featured in a job description. This step is important because it can help you understand how qualified you are for a job and make the interview process easier.

Putting it All Together

Finding a career path or job opportunity that is the right fit can be a lot to handle - but it doesn't have to be. By applying what we've talked about above, you'll be able to set yourself up for success.

Remember that when you perform a skills assessment, it's more than just figuring out what you're good at! Make sure you keep in mind the skills you want to develop. Also, be sure to compare the skills you've identified with the responsibilities your job or career path might entail.

By applying these two simple steps to your job search, you'll find that you'll be able to identify career paths that not only excite you but are rewarding and provide opportunities for growth and development. Good luck!