Whenever you sit to create or recreate your CV, depending on the job you are applying for, it becomes essential to show that you have the required skills for that profile. But how do you know what skills are necessary for that particular profile? Understanding the job description posted by the company, talking to its employees in the same role, etc., might help you know about it. But what when you are trying to build your resume and then apply for jobs? You need to identify your skills, develop new ones, or stop underestimating yourself and selling yourself short. This is important for you because you would not be able to differentiate yourself from the hundreds of other applicants without it.
What is a skills inventory?
A collection of skills, relevant courses completed, credentials used as proof for the same, etc., can be considered part of a skills inventory. You can show how you acquired these skills through live projects, internships, online or offline courses, or work experience. It helps to track your growth trajectory in a quantifiable manner allowing you to land your dream job. A skills inventory can help you show your career progression and changes and enable you to tell your story with a backup to convince the employer about your choices.
With the advent of a technological shift towards digitalization and the businesses going online, the companies want to fill the skill gap between the existing employees and new-age technologies by hiring the young adaptive employees who are good with these skills and can help bring sustainable change. If you are putting effort into finding the right job, making a relevant skills inventory will push your chances that you convert it.
Benefits of having prepared a skills inventory
The skill inventory guides a person helping him make an action plan that can give him a check on where he is and what he should do to reach his dream job. Knowledge becomes a source of confidence. Knowing where you stand, what you deserve, and where you can reach by doing what helps you pitch yourself with confidence and not undersell. Hence, a skills inventory should be regularly updated to serve its purpose.
Steps to create your skill inventory
1. Know your passion, natural talent, and already developed skills
Usually, in job interviews, the first round checks the person’s skills or technical know-how, and the second is an HR-based round. To clear the first barrier, you need to know where you stand on your technical knowledge. This is the first step, even before you start job hunting.
While you set out for it, you need to understand two types of skills- Technical skills and transferable skills. Technical skills are those that can be learned through training and skill sessions. Transferable skills are soft skills. Critical thinking, leadership skills, people skills, etc., are transferable skills.
To understand better, these skills can be transferred and applied to any job and are the base of working as an employee. To know your transferable skill level, you need to introspect and do a situation analysis. For knowing your technical skills, you could take quizzes and exams online to know your strengths and weaknesses and work on them.
2. Identify your skill level
Once you have assessed your skill level, be it beginner, intermediate, or advanced, you need to find out how you can improvise on the same. One of the many ways could be taking feedback from your classmates, friends, or colleagues.
A few good feedback could give you insights about yourself you might not have noticed and could even open your intent for some job profile you would not have considered before. Hence, acknowledging your skills helps you explore your career options and enables you to make your resume in accordance with it.
3. Identify opportunities for growth
Once you know your skills, you need to stay ahead of your competitors. Standing out from the crowd will help you get a job and get promoted in your current job. Set common goals, practice your skills, and take guidance or mentorship on how to improve. To improve up to a certain extent is easy, which becomes difficult when you reach the top. Mentorship can give you the push you might need, with tricks and tips to ace everything you set your eyes on.
4. Skill advancement and skill selling
Regular updating your skill inventory based on the newer technology and filling the potential need gap is the key to success. This way, you would be able to provide what the workforce demands. Keep reflecting on how to be better and what you can provide that others cannot.
This is in technical language, called your ‘Unique Selling Point’ or USP. A USP is what helps you stand out from the crowd. Build your USP while building your skills and be a good marketer to sell it to the employer or the panel. Understand that you are a brand yourself. Read the job description and see how you can provide what they seek as a brand. If you are good at what you do and have both technical and transferable skills, you cannot stop.
Be confident. Be Smart. The interview could be just another discussion if you know things. All the best.for more career opportunities from reputable firms spanning different states in Singapore.JobsPivot effectively connects employers with the right talents. to find Full Time Jobs visit us,
