Finding and Choosing a Career: Your Skills and Talents



Finding and Choosing a Career: Your Skills and TalentsEach of us has a unique set of skills and talents. Some of these come naturally to us while some of them have formed due to the activities, jobs and hobbies we have pursued during the course of our life. Whatever the right livelihood is for you it should somehow match your existing skills and talents. You are looking for the things you have a natural affinity for, and then through your choice of a career, you will expand these skills to reach mastery.The place to start is by making a simple list of any talent or skill that you feel confident about. Write down anything that comes to mind. Think about work skills, think about hobbies you have, think about things you do for leisure, think about how you interact with family and friends, think about games you play well, etc. All of these avenues will uncover areas in life where you are skilled or have more talent than most people. Be as exhaustive as possible in creating this list. Essentially, this is the “resume” for your dream job.Because we often are unable to see that which is closest to us you should also ask a close friend or family member to tell you all the things they view you as talented in or skilled. You may be surprised when they list things that you have never thought about. This is to be expected. Often the picture we portray to others is far different than the reality. Any input they can give you will be helpful. Remember – these are talents and skills – not faults. We are not looking for areas we need to improve. We are looking for areas in which we are naturally talented.Recognizing your skills is an essential part of every job search. Being able to effectively communicate these skills to a potential employer is equally important. Yet, many people have difficulty with both. Countless job-seekers, particularly women, often underestimate their skills. This leads to undervaluing themselves in the job market. And failing to sell themselves in a job interview. So what is a skill? A skill is anything you can do. Most career resources divide skills into three different types. Different sources use different names, here we will call them: Hard / Job-Specific Skills, Soft / Transferable Skills, and Personal / Innate Skills.Hard / Job Specific Skills generally are those considered specific to an occupation. When asked to name their skills, these often are the abilities people think of first. They include things like computer programming, flying a plane, using industry-specific software applications, operating a video camera and typing a certain number of words per minute. While these skills are valuable, many do not transfer to other positions or industries. An administrative assistant interviewing for a management position, for example, will want to focus on her Personal / Innate and Soft / Transferable skills. The interviewer will be more interested in hearing about her communication and problem-solving skills than her hard / job specific skill relating to her typing ability. Soft / Transferable Skills are those that transfer readily from one job to another. Many of these skills, like effective communication, come more naturally to some, than to others. But, generally, these skills are learned and developed over time. Some examples are: written and verbal communication, managing, negotiating, solving problems, and meeting deadlines. Recognizing, and promoting, these skills can enhance your marketability for several reasons. While each company conducts business its own way, being able to motivate employees translates to any setting. These skills can be particularly valuable to those transitioning to a new career. The five most common sought after skills employers seek in a job candidate include:Communication Skills*- Writing – Especially short and to the point. - Speaking skills- Listening skills* Possessing good communication skills is the number one skill sought after by employers. Thinking Skills- Analytical thinking- Critical thinking- Creativity / Thinking outside the boxPeople Skills- Working well one-on-one- Working well in a team- Valuing and embracing diversityLeadership Skills- Visionary- Initiative- ConsensusProcedural Skills- Time management- Organization- Flexibility- Technology Personal / Innate Skills are the characteristics we often think of as personality traits. They are the skills we use to in every area of our life. They are the words our friends would probably use to describe us. Some examples are: punctual, conscientious, organized, honest, friendly, etc. While anyone can learn to be punctual, for those who hit the snooze alarm three times before getting up it's not so easy. While many job-seekers discount these skills, employers consider them essential. Most people do not lose their jobs because of their inability to do the work, according to a survey of personnel directors conducted by Robert Half & Associates, cited in The Very Quick Job Search by J. Michael Farr. "The most frequently noted problems were; lying and dishonesty (14%), absenteeism and tardiness (12%), arrogance and overconfidence (12%), and lack of dedication (6%)." ConclusionNot only is it essential to take stock of your skills while researching careers but it is vital before beginning a job search. You will need this information to prepare your marketing materials, a cover letter and resume. This knowledge also will be important during the interview process. Before your interview, choose three to five of your strongest skills. Be prepared with examples of when and how you used each skill on-the-job. For example, don't just say you are a team player, talk about working with others to complete a project. For most of us, preparing for a job-search is intimidating. If we're contemplating a similar position in the same industry, it's bound to be difficult. It we're changing careers, it's worse. However, taking the time to accurately assess your skills is a major step to success. ................
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