When employers outline a job, they use Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to describe what's needed. If you can show you possess the required KSAs, you'll stand out as a strong candidate.
Every job requires specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge
Knowledge is what you understand from education or experience. For instance, construction work requires knowledge of materials, methods, and tools. Office work can require knowledge of office procedures or of recordkeeping.
Abilities
Abilities are personal traits enabling you to do certain things. Stamina, for example, is essential for physically demanding jobs like fitness trainers, firefighters, or servers. Or, some jobs may require an ability to work under pressure.
Skills
Skills showcase what you're good at. People gain skills from training or experience. While knowledge and abilities matter, employers often prioritize skills. Identifying and highlighting your skills on your resume and during interviews is crucial.
In the workplace, there are two skill types: technical and soft skills, both vital for success.
Technical skills
These are job-specific, like cooking, flying a plane, or teaching. These skills are mentioned in job listings to describe tasks.
Examples of technical skills:
- Operating equipment
- Developing a budget
- Painting a portrait
- Writing code
- Counseling others
- Researching scientific questions
- Selling products to customers
Soft skills
Soft skills, on the other hand, are universal and apply to various jobs. They include communication, punctuality, and task completion. These skills are often learned in daily life and can be improved at any time.
Examples of soft skills:
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Self-motivation
- Flexibility
- Determination and persistence
- Quick learning
Want to identify your work-related skills? Check out these sources:
- The Skills Matcher helps you create a list of your skills and matches them to careers that might be a good fit for you.
- Enter your previous job title in mySkills myFuture to see types of careers that your skills and experience will transfer to.