Skills refer to the specific abilities and knowledge you gain through training and experience. They can be technical, such as coding or data analysis, or soft skills like communication and teamwork. Transferable skills are those applicable across various roles and industries, such as project management.

Qualities/Attributes are inherent personality traits that influence how you apply your skills. These include characteristics like patience, enthusiasm, or creativity, which affect your performance and interactions.

Competency is a blend of skills, knowledge, and personal qualities that leads to success in specific scenarios. For example, analytical thinking combines problem-solving skills with a logical approach, while customer service competency includes relationship-building skills and attributes like patience.

Use a Skills Checklist

Action: Review a detailed skills checklist to identify which skills you’ve used in various areas of your life—work, volunteering, or personal projects.

Tip: Focus on skills you enjoy and those aligning with your career goals. Highlight these in your CV.

Example: If you excel in project management and enjoy it, this skill should be prominently featured in your job application.

Apply the STARR Model

Action: The STARR model helps you detail your experiences through five key elements:

• Situation: Describe the context or problem.
• Task: Explain the specific challenge or task you faced.
• Action: Outline the steps you took to address the task.
• Result: Highlight the outcomes of your actions.
• Review: Reflect on what you learned and how it can be applied in future roles.

Tip: Use this model to frame your accomplishments, making your experiences more relatable and impactful.

Example: If you led a project, describe the situation (a critical project deadline), the task (organising a team to meet the deadline), the action (coordinating efforts and managing resources), the result (successful project delivery), and the review (gained insights into effective team management).

Identify Patterns

Action: Review your STARR statements to identify recurring skills.

Tip: Use these patterns to highlight key skills in your CV and interviews.

Example: If leadership and problem-solving consistently emerge, emphasise these skills as strengths in your job applications.

Achievement

• Tip: Illustrate your accomplishments and successes.
• Example: “Increased team productivity by 25% through the implementation of a new workflow system.”

Balance

• Tip: Emphasise your ability to manage work-life balance effectively.
• Example: “Managed multiple client accounts while ensuring high-quality deliverables and personal well-being.”

Career

• Tip: Show how your experiences support your career aspirations.
• Example: “Leveraged my background in finance to advance into a strategic role with increased responsibilities.”

Certainty

• Tip: Demonstrate your ability to provide stability and reliable outcomes.
• Example: “Implemented consistent quality checks that reduced errors by 15%.”

Challenge

• Tip: Detail how you embraced and overcame professional challenges.
• Example: “Led a turnaround strategy that resolved a failing project and achieved a successful outcome.”

Control

• Tip: Highlight your ability to manage and influence outcomes.
• Example: “Directed a high-stakes project, maintaining control over deadlines and budget.”

Creativity

• Tip: Showcase innovative solutions and approaches.
• Example: “Created a novel marketing campaign that significantly boosted brand visibility.”

Discipline

• Tip: Exhibit your adherence to guidelines and processes.
• Example: “Followed a disciplined approach to project management, ensuring timely completion and budget adherence.”

Entrepreneurship

• Tip: Emphasise your initiative and business acumen.
• Example: “Founded a successful side business, demonstrating entrepreneurial skills and market insight.”

Ethics

• Tip: Show your commitment to ethical principles.
• Example: “Ensured transparency and fairness in all client interactions, upholding high ethical standards.”

Family

• Tip: Highlight how family responsibilities have shaped your professional skills.
• Example: “Developed strong organisational skills through balancing family commitments with professional responsibilities.”

Freedom

• Tip: Demonstrate your ability to work autonomously.
• Example: “Successfully managed projects with minimal supervision, showcasing my independence and initiative.”

Friendship

• Tip: Illustrate how you build and maintain professional relationships.
• Example: “Cultivated a positive team environment, fostering strong professional relationships.”

Fun

• Tip: Show how you contribute to a positive and enjoyable work environment.
• Example: “Organised team-building activities that improved morale and team cohesion.”

Hard Work

• Tip: Highlight your dedication and effort in achieving goals.
• Example: “Worked diligently to meet tight deadlines, consistently delivering high-quality results.”

Honesty

• Tip: Emphasise your transparency and integrity in professional dealings.
• Example: “Maintained honesty in all client interactions, ensuring trust and credibility.”

Independence

• Tip: Showcase your ability to work independently and take ownership.
• Example: “Led initiatives with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong self-reliance and decision-making skills.”

Integrity

• Tip: Illustrate your commitment to ethical standards and principles.
• Example: “Uphold the highest standards of integrity in all professional interactions.”

Interaction

• Tip: Show how you effectively engage with others.
• Example: “Fostered positive interactions with clients and colleagues, enhancing collaboration and communication.”

Knowledge

• Tip: Demonstrate your expertise and ongoing learning.
• Example: “Applied advanced industry knowledge to drive project success and innovation.”

Learning

• Tip: Highlight your commitment to continuous improvement and education.
• Example: “Pursued professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends.”

Love

• Tip: Show your passion for your work and its impact.
• Example: “Demonstrated a deep passion for environmental sustainability through innovative project initiatives.”

Loyalty

• Tip: Emphasise your commitment to employers and projects.
• Example: “Showed unwavering loyalty to the company by consistently delivering outstanding results.”

Making Decisions

• Tip: Illustrate your decision-making skills and impact.
• Example: “Made strategic decisions that led to a 15% increase in operational efficiency.”

Passion

• Tip: Convey your enthusiasm and drive for the industry.
• Example: “Driven by a passion for digital marketing, continuously exploring new trends and strategies.”

Personal Development

• Tip: Highlight your focus on self-improvement and growth.
• Example: “Committed to personal development through ongoing training and skill enhancement.”

Power

• Tip: Demonstrate how you effectively influence and lead others.
• Example: “Exercised leadership power to drive team performance and achieve project goals.”

Pressure

• Tip: Show your ability to thrive under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Example: “Successfully managed high-pressure situations, delivering results within tight deadlines.”

Recognition

• Tip: Highlight your achievements and the recognition received.
• Example: “Received multiple awards for exceptional performance and contributions to team success.”

Respect

• Tip: Emphasise your ability to build and maintain respectful relationships.
• Example: “Fostered a culture of mutual respect within the team, enhancing collaboration and productivity.”

Reward

• Tip: Showcase how you value and seek recognition for your contributions.
• Example: “Achieved recognition for innovative solutions and contributions to project success.”

Risk

• Tip: Demonstrate your willingness to take calculated risks and manage uncertainties.
• Example: “Took calculated risks in developing new market strategies, resulting in significant business growth.”

Security

• Tip: Show how you ensure stability and reliability in your role.
• Example: “Implemented security measures that safeguarded sensitive data and ensured compliance with regulations.”

Solo Activity

• Tip: Highlight your ability to work effectively alone.
• Example: “Completed complex projects independently, demonstrating strong self-management skills.”

Spiritual Fulfilment

• Tip: Illustrate how your work aligns with your personal values and beliefs.
• Example: “Pursued projects that align with my commitment to social responsibility and community impact.”

Status

• Tip: Show how you handle roles of authority and prestige.
• Example: “Excelled in a high-profile role, managing key client relationships and representing the company at major events.”

Teamwork

• Tip: Emphasise your collaborative skills and contributions to team success.
• Example: “Played a key role in a cross-functional team that successfully delivered a major project.”

Tolerance

• Tip: Highlight your ability to work with diverse groups and handle different viewpoints.
• Example: “Demonstrated tolerance and inclusivity by working effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.”

Tradition

• Tip: Show how you respect and incorporate organisational or cultural traditions.
• Example: “Adhered to company traditions while introducing modern practices to enhance efficiency.”

Transparency

• Tip: Illustrate your commitment to openness and clarity in communication.
• Example: “Maintained transparency in project reporting, ensuring all stakeholders were informed and aligned.”

Trust

• Tip: Emphasise how you build and maintain trust with colleagues and clients.
• Example: “Established a trusted relationship with clients through consistent and reliable service.”

Variety

• Tip: Show how you thrive in diverse and dynamic environments.
• Example: “Excelled in roles requiring adaptability and versatility, managing a range of tasks and projects.”

Work Ethic

• Tip: Demonstrate your dedication and commitment to high standards.
• Example: “Consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic by exceeding performance expectations and contributing to team success.”