Writing About Your Skills

What can you offer an employer?

List your skills in two categories: Technical and Personal.

Technical skills are those you learned in past jobs, in volunteer positions, in school and in life. These skills can help you get a job and keep it!

Technical skills include:

• programming XML
• driving a car or truck
• project management
• operating a computer, machinery, special equipment, or power tools
• operating office equipment
• statistical analysis
• providing excellent customer service
• bookkeeping

Many skills aren't just developed on the job - they're developed in our everyday lives and are often called "transferable skills."

Personal skills include attitude, personality and work habits. These affect how you do your job and what kind of work suits you best.

Some personal skills are:

• a sense of humour
• being creative
• organizing work
• working well with others
• solving problems
• communicating
• leadership

Highlight your personal and technical skills in your cover letter, resume and interviews. Give the employer a clear picture of you and what you can do.