Reviewing your skills

If you’re already in the workforce and thinking of making a change in your career, then this exercise can help you to identify your marketable skills, talents and personal traits, and recognise accomplishments you didn’t notice before or fully appreciate.

Here’s a list of some different skill areas. Read each description and select your level of competency from the drop-down list – highly competent, competent and little or no skill. For each skill that you are highly competent or competent in, write one or more examples of how you have demonstrated this at work or in another area of your life.

Constructing - Building, making, assembling, manufacturing things or materials

Constructing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Creating - Inventing, originating, designing or composing

Creating

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Performing - Expressing feelings or thoughts through your body, face or voice

Performing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Reading - Reading for facts, ideas and information

Reading

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Creative writing - Writing words, articles, stories or lyrics to inform or entertain others

Creative Writing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Designing - Working creatively with spaces, shapes, colour, materials, etc

Designing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Arts, Crafts - Expressing ideas and feelings in drawings, paintings, etc; making something special with your hands

Arts, Crafts

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Adapting - Changing, improvising and seeing alternatives

Adapting

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Sorting - Putting similar items in the same place or group

Sorting

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Calculating - Using maths to solve problems

Calculating

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Investigating - Researching, studying, questioning or probing for information

Investigating

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Problem solving - Looking at problems from different points of view and exploring possible solutions

Problem Solving

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Decision making - Weighing up options and making a choice

Decision Making

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Budgeting - Managing money, budgets or finances

Budgeting

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Following instructions - Following orders, directions, diagrams, plans, etc

Following Instructions

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Planning - Predicting, scheduling, preparing for tasks, events, projects

Planning

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Administration - Working with systems, data and procedures

Administration

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Information management - Searching, collecting, recording, analysing and classifying information

Information Management

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Analysing – Checking, examining, inspecting, testing or surveying with an eye for detail

Analysing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Technical writing - Creating reports, letters, memos; editing, rewriting, correcting

Technical Writing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Influencing - Selling, persuading, encouraging

Influencing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Evaluating - Assessing and reviewing

Evaluating

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Training - Coaching: Helping others to learn and develop new skills, guiding, empowering

Training

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Helping - Responding to the needs of others

Helping

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Leadership - Leading, directing, guiding others

Leadership

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Time management - Meeting deadlines, setting priorities, being on time

Time Management

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Active listening - Understanding, questioning, appreciating diverse views

Active Listening

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Mediation - Resolving issues or conflict, helping to settle differences

Mediation

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Collaborating - Working in a team, achieving goals with others

Collaborating

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Entertaining - Perform for a group, on stage, in public, etc

Entertaining

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Motivating - Encouraging, stimulating, inspiring people

Motivating

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Organising - Arranging, coordinating people, resources and schedules

Organising

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Physical strength - Fit and strong with good physical balance

Physical Strength

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Physical coordination - Moving your whole body smoothly and accurately

Physical Coordination

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Precision work - Handling things accurately, carefully and quickly

Precision Work

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Fixing, Repairing - Mending, restoring, renovating things

Fixing, repairing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Presenting - Giving a talk, introducing, public speaking, instructing

Presenting

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Mechanical operation - Operating tools, machinery or technology

Mechanical Operation

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Driving - Operating and handling a vehicle

Driving

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Using IT - Using computer equipment to handle information, operate machines, test and analyse things

Constructing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Appreciation - Giving credit to others

Appreciation

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Sensitivity - Showing understanding and consideration of others’ feelings

Sensitivity

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Technical writing - Creating reports, letters, memos; editing, rewriting, correcting

Technical Writing

Examples of how I have demonstrated this skill:

Next Steps

1. If you’re not sure what jobs your skills are relevant to use the Career Services Skills Matcher tool to find job ideas.

2. If you are clear about the types of jobs your skills are suited to use the examples you came up with when applying for jobs.

3. For each area that you have little or no skill, consider whether you want or need to develop it.

List each skill that you would like to develop below:

4. If you would like to find courses to help develop your skills use the Career Services courses database.