!
!
Explore!Your!Skills!!
Self-Assessment+and+Reflection+
Being able to identify the skills you have and enjoy using can guide your academic and
career plans. It’s important to be able to articulate these skills as you develop your personal brand on your
resume and in interviews.
Below are seven skill sets sought by employers across industries, identified by the National Association of
Colleges and Employers. ADD additional words if not represented.
Note: The actual definition of the skill is
not as important as what the word represents for you.
Indicate with a
!
in the column those
skills you believe you have
, then put a
second
!
for those
you enjoy using
(Top Skills). Put an
X
on those skills you like to use, but are not as confident in your abilities.
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving:
Obtain information
Consider inventive solutions
Interpret data
Exercise sound reasoning
Analyze issues
Make decisions
Think critically
Overcome problems
Oral/Written Communications:
Speak thoughts effectively
Present confidently to a group
Write concisely and clearly
Edit proficiently
Adjust style appropriately
Use appropriate business writing
Negotiate
Facilitate conversation
Teamwork/Collaboration:
Build professional relationships
Respect others
Understand personal boundaries
Listen with an open mind
Collaborate with team members
Manage conflict
Digital Technology:
Apply technology needed for task
Adapt to changing technology
Professionalism/Work Ethic:
Manage time and workload
Accept responsibility
Demonstrates ethical behavior
Set and meet goals
Abide by/enforce policies
Attend to detail
Leadership:
Organize projects
Delegate responsibilities
Motivate others
Prioritize tasks
Coach others
Global/Intercultural Fluency:
Demonstrate openness
Exhibit cultural sensitivity
Respect diversity
Be inclusive of others’ differences
Add your own:
!
Now, from the skills with two checks, identify your
TOP 5
skills and record them below:
TOP 5 Skills
_______________ _______________ ______________ ______________ _______________
Page 2 Skills Activity and Reflection
Below, write each of your
TOP 5
skills in the column on the left. Make a brief note about an area of your life
where you have demonstrated this skill.
Example:
Present confidently
to a group
Summer Science research final presentation
Top Skill
Description of demonstrating this skill in a specific experience
1. Are there ways to continue to strengthen your top skills? What are those ways?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Are there skills you enjoy using, but need to develop confidence in your abilities (those you indicated
with an X)? Can you think of ways you can work on those?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Thinking about your top skills, how do you think they could impact an academic or career direction?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Final Reflection:
What small action step might you take as a result of taking this assessment?
o Update my resume to showcase the above skills
o Consider an internship or campus leadership role to develop or intentionally practice my skills
o Take a course (in-person or online) to continue to learn new skills
o Research career fields I’m considering using www.onetonline.org to see how my skills could be applied
o Attend a Coffee Chat/Afternoon Tea to hear how alumni use skills learned at Goucher in their work
o Add Your Own: _________________________________________________________________