Why Skills Matter When Evaluating the Right Job Fit
As we continue with the current blog series “Are YOU The Right Fit?”, a key criteria for any job decision certainly is skills!
Most job descriptions have a list of required skills to be able to do the job effectively. Some job descriptions have intimidatingly long lists of requirements that seem virtually impossible for any one person to be able to fulfill.
Many skills are easy to understand… Java for Software Developers; GAAP for Accountants; Labor Law Compliance for Human Resources professionals; AutoCAD for Engineers; etc.
However, job candidates are also evaluated on a great number of other “soft” skills as well (more on that shortly).
God is the Source of Our Skills and Abilities
Scripture makes it clear that our skills and abilities are given to us by God. Certainly we can, and should, develop and expand on the skills that God has provided. However, we each have a unique set of abilities and skills that God has rooted in us to be used for His purposes in serving others, in our work and in all of our lives.
Exodus 31:2-3 – “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship.”
1 Corinthians 4:7 – “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?”
Proverbs 22:29 – “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Discovering the Skills God Has Given You
We all have the ability to develop and apply various skills in our work and in our lives…what are yours?
Sometimes it takes trial and error to determine what our strengths might be. Despite my desires as a young kid, it became clear early on in my teen years that I didn’t have the innate abilities to ever be able to compete in the NBA! After some wins and failures in pursuing a profession, however, I found I did have strengths to become a successful recruiter.
Technical Skills vs. Soft Skills in the Hiring Process
An employer needs to hire people with skills and experience to do specific tasks and roles in the organization. However, equally, and sometimes more important, are other abilities to be successful in the position.
Demonstrated skills and abilities to take initiative, communicate effectively, continuously learn, apply wisdom in decision-making, adapt to changes, and contribute to a healthy culture are all greatly valued.
In over 3 decades of recruiting, I have seen over and over again that it’s usually not the most technically qualified person that gets hired, but rather the people that form the most complete package…technical skills, soft skills, great attitude, and ability to work well with others.
Why Networking is Critical in a Job Search
When you apply for a job online, or send a resume, the only thing an employer can evaluate at that point is how close of a technical match in skills and experience you are. It’s only through conversations and meetings that they can understand the other, and sometimes more important, skills you bring to the role.
That’s why networking is so critically important.
Resumes Only Show Part of the Picture
Getting evaluated by your resume alone can often feel like an uphill battle. Your resume is always being compared to other resumes, many of which are likely a closer match than yours. Talking to people in the organization helps give them a better picture of the whole package you bring. Speaking effectively about your skills and abilities, the results you’ve produced, your track record of learning quickly, and demonstrating the soft skills that are highly valued often overcomes a few technical skill requirements others may have that you don’t.
How to Identify and Communicate Your Skills in a Job Search
Skills are important, and articulating them well is critical. List them and rank them.
Identify Skills You May be Overlooking
Often people don’t realize skills they have that they should be highlighting because it’s something that has become second nature to them, while others see it as a valuable ability that few can do as effectively. Ask others that have worked with you what they see as your strengths and abilities… you may be surprised! For more on this topic, read our blog post “Ask for Input” here.
Seek God’s Guidance in Understanding Your Gifts
Pray. Ask God for wisdom and clarity to help you see yourself as He created you. Read scripture, and ask Him to help you understand the gifts and abilities He gave you. Seeking Him in humility will often give you insights about yourself you may not have had before.
Use Examples to Demonstrate Your Skills
Whether technical skills or soft skills, they are communicated more effectively with examples. Anyone can, and many do say anything about themselves that they want, whether it’s true or not. However, when describing skills and abilities with specific examples of how they were applied and the results they produced, will carry much more credibility and have a greater impact. Planning in advance will produce a better dialogue than trying to wing it.
Communicating the Full Picture of Your Skills
Your technical skills to do a job certainly matter. However, when you look more broadly at ALL the skills you have that make you successful in your work, you can convey your story more effectively in your networking and in your interviews.
What are YOUR skills???
Harry Urschel has over 30 years experience as a Recruiter in Retained Executive Search and Executive Outplacement Coaching. Currently, he recruits roles for a holding company. He also leads the Minnesota Crossroads ministry out of Grace Church in Eden Prairie.
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