Job Search! Marketable Skills

kills are abilities that make it possible to perform tasks. Marketable skills are abilities that are in great demand in the labor market. Regardless of your level of work experience and even if you are looking for a first job, you have valuable skills. There is, however, a difference between a skill and a marketable skill. For example, a machinist who has just been laid off after 15 years of working on a lathe possesses skills. However, because he or she worked on a lathe that is rarely used today, the machinist will need to get training on modern equipment to acquire the marketable skills necessary to use today’s technology and get another job. Marketable skills may change over time depending on employers’ needs. Employers are more likely to hire job applicants with marketable skills, especially when there is a shortage of qualified workers. Unfortunately, many people are not sure about the skills they possess and miss opportunities to showcase their abilities during job interviews. Others may choose jobs that do not match their abilities.

Being aware of your marketable skills benefits you in several specific ways:

• Helps you make better career decisions. Skills are one of three major elements to think about when choosing a job or a career. When skills are considered, along with interests and values, you get a complete profile of yourself and you can make informed career decisions.

• Makes you more competitive in the job market. Employers want people who have what it takes to perform well on the job. When applying for a job, make yourself stand out from other applicants. Marketable skills can give you an edge over the competition.

• Prepares you for the job interview. In a job interview, you have to be prepared to tell the employer what you have to offer. Demonstrate an understanding of the skills the employer needs and how you can meet those needs. Familiarity with your marketable skills gives you the confidence to talk about yourself and make a good impression in a job interview.

Skills Employers Want

Foundation Skills

Basic Skills	Reading, writing, arithmetic, mathematics, speaking, listening
Thinking Skills	Abilities to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, solve problems
Personal Qualities	Individual responsibility, verbal and written skills, self-esteem, self-management, integrity

Types of Marketable Skills

• Transferable skills are basic skills that transfer from one job to another. These include the communication and interpersonal skills of managing, organizing, coordinating, and writing.



• Adaptive skills are personal characteristics that develop through life experiences. Although these skills are not specific to jobs or careers, they are extremely important to employers and are,        therefore, very marketable. Examples are flexibility, leadership, patience, responsibility, maturity,        decisiveness, commitment, and enthusiasm.



• Job-related skills are associated with specific occupations or jobs. Every occupation requires a set of crucial skills that all workers must have to complete the work. Examples include computer        programming, welding, and carpentry.

Self-Assessment

Self-assessment is a way to identify the skills you currently have and to gain a sense of your job qualifications, strengths, and weaknesses. The process involves looking back at your experiences to determine skills you have developed throughout your life. Self-assessment answers the question, What do I know how to do?

Self-Assessment Exercise

Step 1: Begin the self-assessment process by concentrating on experiences you have had with previous jobs, hobbies, family responsibilities, volunteer work, and community involvement. Think about activities that gave you a sense of accomplishment. Make a list of twelve to fifteen items. Describe your experiences using action verbs. The following chart will help you think of skills you have developed from past experiences and accomplishments.

Action Words

Step 2: For each activity on the list, ask yourself, What specific skills did I use? Don’t worry if a skill appears several times.

Step 3: Count the number of times each skill is written. For each skill on the list, ask yourself, Do I really enjoy using this skill in my work? Cross off skills that you do not enjoy.

Step 4: Study the list of remaing skills and ask yourself, In what kind of occupation can these skills be used? Several possibilities may come to mind right away, but, if not, give it a little time. Don’t rush or give up on the process.

Step 5: Now look at the list of occupations that you created. Ask yourself, What employer or business is likely to place a high value on these skills? Who would pay someone to use these skills in his or her business or organization? Use the resources available to you to identify employers and businesses that can benefit from your unique marketable skills. Job search resources include the following:

• newspaper ads
• business section of telephone books
• career centers
• business directories at libraries
• business bulletin boards
• employment agencies
• job fairs
• friends and family

Sources
Association for Computing Machinery. Assessing your most marketable skills and strengths. www.acm.org
Farr, J. M. (2002). Getting the job you really want. JIST Publishing, Inc.: Indianapolis, IN.
Kasper, H. T. (2004). Matching yourself with the world of work. Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Fall. pp. 2-21.
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. (1996). Tips for finding the right job. U.S. Government Printing Office.
U.S. Department of Labor. (1991). What work requires of schools: SCANS report for America 2000. U. S. Government Printing Office.

Carol Centrallo, Extension Specialist, Associate Professor, Consumer Science and Personal Financial Management, Auburn University

For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.