CSUS COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

WHAT ARE YOUR SKILLS?

If you want to be able to write an effective resume and cover letter, you must be able to identify and highlight your transferable skills – skills that you have that will transfer to the job you want to get.

Keep in mind that a set of related skills, such as all those related to “People,” for example, contain a range of skills. This range contains simple skills such as “serving, taking instructions, helping” as well as complex skills such as “supervising, instructing, and negotiating.” You want to emphasize the most complex skills you legitimately can, based on what you have already proven you can do in the past. The more complex skills you can demonstrate, the more likely you will find a job that allows you to take some measure of responsibility and allows for more creativity and independence (as well as a higher wage).

The following list will help you determine some of your skills. The skills are grouped into seven large skill areas that will make it easier for you to organize the skills on your resume. For each skill, determine the following:

1) If you think you possess this skill, put a check mark in box # 1.
2) If you enjoy doing this skill, put a check mark in box # 2.
3) If you believe you do a skill well, put a check mark in box # 3.
One skill could easily end up having 3 check marks in front of it.

Communication: the skillful expression, transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas.

 1   2  3
Speaking effectively
Writing concisely
Listening attentively
Expressing ideas
Facilitating group discussion
Providing appropriate feedback
Negotiating
Translating
Persuading
Reporting information
Describing feelings
Interviewing
Editing
Making verbal presentations to small/large groups

Research and Planning: the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs.

 1   2  3
Forecasting, predicting
Creating ideas
Identifying problems
Imagining alternatives
Gathering information
Solving problems
Setting goals
Extracting important information
Defining needs
Analyzing
Developing evaluation strategies

Human Relations: the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflicts; relating to and helping people.

 1   2  3
Developing rapport
Being sensitive
Listening
Conveying feelings
Providing support for others
Motivating
Sharing credit
Counseling
Cooperating
Delegating with respect
Representing others
Perceiving feelings, situations
Asserting

Organization, Management and Leadership: the ability to supervise, direct, and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals.

 1   2  3
Initiating new ideas
Handling details
Coordinating tasks
Managing groups
Delegating responsibility
Budgeting
Promoting change
Selling ideas or products
Decision-making with others
Managing conflict
Scheduling
Team building

Work Survival: the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction.

 1   2  3
Implementing decisions
Cooperating
Being punctual
Managing time
Attending to details
Meeting goals
Accepting responsibility
Setting and meeting deadlines
Organizing
Making-decisions
Processing information

Development and Production: creating, developing, building, and producing things.

 1   2  3
Assembling
Building
Designing
Adapting
Interpreting ideas
Producing
Repairing
Constructing
Installing
Problem solving
Breaking work tasks into small manageable tasks

Teaching/Training:

 1   2  3
Explaining ideas to various groups
Giving instructions
Demonstrating patience
Some understanding of human development
Encouraging learning
Motivating new learners