Self-recognition of skills is often difficult for job seekers. Simply asking, “What are your strengths?” may be appropriate with some job seekers, but a more guided approach to uncovering skills is generally recommended. Here are some tips for helping job seekers work through this critical process.
Look to the past.
Examining the job seeker’s background is useful when considering different types of strengths that he or she may possess. For example:
- Education: What subjects were most interesting to him or her? Has this interest or ability been used in any way since leaving school? Has he or she received training in a trade, or other skills that can be used in the workplace?
- Work experience: Explore the skills that the job seeker learned and used while in previous positions. Be sure to consider general workplace skills which are not occupation-specific. Frequently referred to as “transferable skills,” these are traits or abilities that would serve the person well in nearly any type of job. Also find out if the job seeker has any written recommendations from a previous employer or supervisor. These recommendations often highlight the individual’s strengths and contributions while in his or her position.
- Life experience: What has the job seeker done and enjoyed doing outside of a school or work environment? These discussions can reveal additional experience, skills, and interests that he or she brings to the workplace.
Look to the present.
It’s equally important to explore the job seeker’s current interests and activities. Does he or she belong to any clubs, religious organizations, or sports teams? What hobbies does he or she enjoy? How does he or she spend his free time? What household tasks does he or she handle?
By asking the right questions, you may learn that your client works on cars, manages the family finances, volunteers at a homeless shelter, coaches a sport, solves puzzles, or participates in a music band. In all likelihood, each of these personal activities requires skills that can be applied for the benefit of an employer as well.
Look to the job seeker.
Other types of questions can also reveal valuable information about a job seeker’s strengths. What comes naturally to him or her? What is he or she most proud of? What activities account for his or her greatest achievements? What things does he or she do better than most people? What activities is he or she most drawn to and/or most likely to get fully engrossed in? Questions of this nature can often get to the heart of a person’s talents quickly and effectively.
Look to other people.
Friends, relatives, and colleagues may have also provided clues as to the job seeker’s competencies. Have supervisors or co-workers always counted on him or her with regard to any specific aspect of a job? Were there certain tasks for which he or she was the designated workplace “trainer”? Has he or she ever been complimented on his or her abilities in a certain area by friends or family members? What do other people consistently look to him or her to help with? The answers to these questions can also speak to a job seeker’s employment qualifications – often without him or her even realizing it!
For more useful information, check out our Job Search Success Starts with Knowing Yourself post.
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