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Focus
on your strengths by
Brenda Koritko
Description: Taking time to discover or confirm your key strengths
and skills will empower you to make important decisions about your
career.
If you continue to produce letters and resumes that highlight the
skills you have developed in your present position, you will
continue to sell yourself to the same market. When you know your key
strengths and skills you increase the number of opportunities that
are available for you in a variety of sectors. Whether you are
changing careers, re-entering the workforce, or looking for your
first job, highlighting relevant transferable skills in you resume
helps employers determine at a glance that you have qualifications
for the position or positions they have available.
Your unique transferable skills are key selling points that you
should market to employers. Skills are things you are good at such
as organizing people or events, computer skills, the ability to sell
ideas and public speaking. Accomplishments are your successes such
as winning an award, completing a course or certification, or
achieving top sales results. Most interests and activities involve
developing key transferable skills. For example, team sports or
group activities often provide an opportunity to develop career
related strengths, including scheduling, group leadership,
management, and event planning.
You can find lists of transferable skills that highlight people
skills, communication skills, analytical skills and a few other
categories. The problem with highlighting a group of general
statements such as "Reliable. Willing and able to show up on time."
is that they do not answer the key question every employer will ask:
What does this mean to me? It is important that you always select
the transferable skills that bring you closest to a company's
requirements. For example, if your present position only includes
limited computer responsibilities and you are interested in a
position that requires extensive computer skills, highlight the
skills that you have developed during leisure activities, including
html even if all you have ever produced was a personal web page.
You have hundreds of skills that could be highlighted in your resume
to attract the attention of a number of employers from a variety of
sectors. The key to success is selecting and supporting the skills
that directly respond to the specific requirements outlined by
potential employers in their advertisements or position
descriptions. Take time now to list five activities that give you a
feeling of satisfaction. Then, list five things you are good at. Do
not limit your answers to previous work experience.
Understanding your interests, skills, and attitudes will increase
your confidence and help you sell your strengths to a target
employer. Increased self-confidence sends a positive message to
employers. Do not spend too much time trying to discover your
weaknesses. If you cannot think of weaknesses that affect your
ability to secure your target position - move on! Career plans built
on strengths decrease the time it takes to find the right job.
Brenda Koritko is the author of I Manage Me Career Tools and Tips a
timely ebook providing techniques to help you achieve your immediate
career goals with benefits throughout your career.
http://www.imanageme.com
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