Office of Career Services
Skills Identification Worksheet
Every facet of career selection, career development, and job search success revolves around your ability to identify, analyze, and prioritize your skills. Yet fewer than two job seekers in ten can actually answer the most important question you will ever ask of yourself and which every interviewer will ask of you: What are your most marketable and usable skills? In other words, why should the employer hire you? What do you have that an employer wants? What special skills and abilities do you possess that an employer would pay good money to use?
Ask Yourself That Question.
On the next page there is a list of skills that may pertain to you. Circle the skills that best describe your abilities and then list your top 25 below. (Please note – the attached list is not the only skills that you may have. Feel free to incorporate you own on this list as well). Try completing this exercise more than once, each time in relation to different types of employers or work situations, to see if the top skills you identify differ depending on what you know about employer need. Being able to identify your top skills and strengths in relation to employer need is the essence of the resume and interview process.
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List of Marketable Skills
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1. Abstract or conceptualize ideas |
55. Act as liaison or go-between |
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2. Adapt to changing situations and needs |
56. Address or talk to groups |
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3. Adjust, arrange, or adapt information |
57. Administer projects or events |
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4. Advise people |
58. Allocate, disperse, or give away resources |
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5. Analyze information or data |
59. Anticipate problems and unusual situations |
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6. Appraise or evaluate work or services |
60. Arbitrate or solve problems between people |
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7. Arrange or organize social gatherings |
61. Assemble or collect data or information |
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8. Assess or analyze data or information |
62. Assess or analyze people |
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9. Assign/delegate duties and/or responsibilities |
63. Attend or pay attention to detail |
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10. Balance schedules, duties, and tasks |
64. Be innovative, come up with new ideas |
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11. Budget money |
65. Budget time or resources |
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12. Calculate or compute numbers |
66. Chair or oversee meetings |
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13. Chart or graph information |
67. Check information for accuracy |
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14. Check materials or products for quality/quantity |
68. Classify information, data, or objects |
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15. Collaborate or work with others on a project |
69. Collect information |
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16. Communicate data or information |
70. Communicate warmth and care |
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17. Compare objects |
71. Compile or collect information |
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18. Complete projects or tasks on schedule |
72. Compose articles, reports, or other documents |
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19. Confer or talk with others to make decisions |
73. Confront others |
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20. Consult with others |
74. Control crisis situations |
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21. Cooperate with others |
75. Cope with deadlines and time pressure |
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22. Cope with difficulties, solve problems |
76. Count, inventory, keep track |
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23. Create things from your own ideas |
77. Critique or review products and services |
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24. Define how things are to be done |
78. Demonstrate how to do things |
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25. Detect problems or errors |
79. Develop ideas or prototypes |
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26. Develop rapport |
80. Draw charts, pictures, or graphics |
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27. Edit written material |
81. Empathize with people's situations |
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28. Empower others |
82. Enforce rules and regulations |
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29. Establish policy or procedures |
83. Examine for detail |
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30. Exercise diplomac |
84. Exercise discretion |
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31. Exhibit or demonstrate products, ideas |
85. Financial planning |
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32. Find things or information |
86. Follow directions |
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33. Follow through on tasks |
87. Forecast what will happen |
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34. Gather data or information |
88. Graphically illustrate |
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35. Handle complaints |
89. Handle emergencies |
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36. Handle multiple tasks simultaneously |
90. Hire and fire people |
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37. Host events |
91. Identify and seize on opportunities |
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38. Identify problems |
92. Identify resources |
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39. Implement decisions, plans, or ideas |
93. Influence, persuade, or convince others |
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40. Inform or give out information to others |
94. Instruct or train people |
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41. Keep secrets or confidential information |
95. Keep or track details or information |
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42. Learn quickly |
96. Manage money |
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43. Manage time |
97. Mathematics |
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44. Memorize large amounts of information |
98. Mentor others |
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45. Motivate others to do better work |
99. Persuade or convince people |
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46. Predict outcomes |
100. Prepare or make things ready |
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47. Present information, products, ideas |
101. Program computers |
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48. Promote ideas, products, or people |
102. Proofread |
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49. Reach or achieve goals |
103. Represent people, organizations, or employers |
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50. Set goals and objectives |
104. Take initiative |
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51. Take instructions |
105. Think ahead |
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52. Tolerate interruptions, inconveniences |
106. Tolerate routine or boring tasks |
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53. Train, instruct, or teach |
107. Type, use keyboard |
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54. Write creative fiction, nonfiction |
108. Write proposals and/ technical materials |
Adapted from the Wizard of Work, R. Gaither