Job seeking can be challenging whether you’re trying to create an excellent CV, craft a cover letter, or prepare for an interview. That’s why I have created an online resource with tips to help. The link below will show the soft and hard skills that you can include in your applications.
Skills
Skills describe what we are able to do and are usually defined in two categories: hard skills and soft skills.
Hard skills
Hard skills are also known as professional or technical skills. These skills are specific abilities that we have learned and developed through education or in the workplace.
Examples of hard skills:
Languages, driving, building techniques, repair techniques, D.I.Y., sewing / dressmaking, operating machinery e.g. a hoist / a forklift, cooking, playing an instrument, gardening and sport.
Computer skills i.e. typing, Graphic Design, Data Management (collecting / organising and interpreting), Analytics, Word Processing and Technical Writing / Social Media skills, programming languages and coding.
Soft skills
Soft skills are also known as transferable, non-technical or personal skills. These are skills that have come more naturally and deal with how we relate to the people and the environment around us. They transfer readily from one job to another.
Soft skills usually fall into three categories:
- Interactions with people
- Professionalism and/or Work Ethic
- Critical Thinking or Problem Solving
Interactions with People:
Networking
Communication
Teamwork
Collaboration
Demonstrating Empathy
Listening
Motivational
Presentation
Observational
Mentoring
Negotiation
Delegation
Conflict Management
Leadership
Management
Professionalism and Work Ethic:
Time Management
Willingness to learn
Willingness to take on new challenges
Goal setting
Organisational
Prioritisation
Scheduling
Adaptability
Planning
Attention to detail
Critical Thinking or Problem Solving:
Quick thinking
Problem solving
Decision making
Innovation
Evaluation
Analytical
Visualisation
Thinking outside the box
Ability to cope under pressure
Resourcefulness
When writing a CV or cover letter it is always a good idea to highlight the skills mentioned in the job specification and match these as much as possible to show that you are the right fit for the role. You can create a separate skills section in your CV and include some of these keywords in your profile too. Even if you have not been in the same role that you are applying for, you can still show that you have the capabilities to carry out the tasks through your soft and hard skills. Best of luck!
Breda Hegarty is a career counsellor with the EPIC Programme run by Business in the Community Ireland. EPIC is a free programme supporting people from migrant backgrounds to gain employment. If you are interested in participating in one of the free programmes contact Livia Bartolomé on 086 8391313 epic@bitc.ie.
You can contact Breda Hegarty on bhegarty@bitc.ie with any comments or questions that you may have.
Photo by Anthony Shkraba on Pexels.com
Breda Hegarty - Career Counsellor 