Your skill set is the combined qualities, experiences, and abilities you use to do your tasks. These skills have come in two categories: soft and technical skills. Soft skills include organizational, communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. While technical skills refer to skills like programming, writing, repairing, and other physical skills.
Putting effort into improving your skills can help advance in your career and have many other opportunities. It will help you earn a promotion or become more skillful in a particular field. The skills you have are vital if you want to expand your career, get a new job, or switch to a different industry.
Understanding Skill Set
Each of us has a different skill set. Often, our skills depend on our lifestyle, personal qualities, interests, and natural abilities. These skills enhance your work competency and allow you to be the best at your job.
People can gain and improve skills with experience and education. The more experienced you are in doing a specific task, the more you’ll get career advancement opportunities in the future.
Different Types of Skills
While there are only two primary skill sets, the soft and technical skills, you can still break these two down into small groups such as:
Hybrid Skills.
Hybrid skills are the combination of soft and hard skills. Many companies prefer to hire hybrid employees as they believe that it’s the key to being a successful worker. Employees with hybrid skills tend to be outstanding at doing several things at once.
Transferable Skills.
Transferable skills can be applied to any job, regardless of the industry and level of professionalism. Most of the time, transferable skills are soft skills like communication and problem-solving.
Job Specific Skills.
Job-specific skills are the abilities required for a particular job. It can include soft and hard skills and is often acquired through training and experience. These skills are usually found in the job description when you search for jobs to apply to.
How To Improve Your Skills
Whether you’re trying to improve your skills or learn new ones, there are several things you need to do first. The tips below will help you develop your skills so you can advance your career.
Set goals.
Having career goals is a sure way you do your best to improve on your career. Goals keep you on track and help you stay motivated. You can gradually improve your skills if you set realistic goals. Once you attain your career goal, create a new goal that’s a bit harder than the first one.
Find a Mentor or Get an Education.
A mentor is someone who has extensive skills in the profession or job you want to excel at. But if you want a more educational approach, you can enroll yourself in courses relevant to your career. For example, if you’re into real estate, you can learn further by taking real estate courses.
Know your Strengths and Weaknesses.
It’s also important to know your strengths and weaknesses to know which area you need to improve. You can ask your colleagues or supervisors about your strengths and weaknesses. After determining your shortcomings, you can focus on improving them one by one.
Study the Job Description.
Job descriptions usually include the required skills for a particular job. Reviewing job descriptions will give you an overview of your skills and which skills to improve to perform well. After you identify the skills you’ll need, you can search for programs to enhance your skills.
Participate in Company Training
Companies usually offer free programs and training to help their employees improve. Check with your HR or supervisor if there is a current program to develop skills you don’t have.
Communicate with Professional Individuals
You might find it surprising to know that a simple conversation with a professional can have many benefits. A friendly and straightforward talk with someone from a higher level can give you an idea of what it would take to get a promotion at work. Sometimes, it’s about learning life skills from individuals who went through the same hardships as you.
What Skills to Include in Your Resume
The skills you include in your resume should match the job description of the position you’re interested in. You must include the soft and hard skills that you have to help the employer identify if you’re the perfect candidate.
Your technical skills will show that you have the required education and training to do the job well. Yet, it would also be helpful to include some of your skills that set you apart from other candidates.
Always remember that in finding a job, it’s vital that you’re capable of doing specific tasks. If you don’t have the skill set required for the position you like, take the time to improve yourself through education and experience.