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Job Skills Checklist

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Summary:

This handout provides a large skills inventory list that you can use to help build your resume and cover letter.

Contributors: Purdue OWL
Last Edited: 2010-04-25 08:51:10

Purpose: The purpose of this skills inventory is to help you to be able to come up with different skills that you may be having a hard time thinking of yourself.

How to use the Skills Inventory: The following is a sample list of skills found in a cross section of careers. Circle every skill that applies to you. Jot down examples of situations in your working life that demonstrate this skill. Then try to incorporate these skills into your resume and/or cover letter. Good Luck!

administering programs planning agendas/meetings updating files
advising people planning organizational needs setting up demonstrations
analyzing data predicting futures sketching charts or diagrams
assembling apparatus rehabilitating people writing reports
auditing financial reports organizing tasks writing for publication
budgeting expenses prioritizing work expressing feelings
calculating numerical data creating new ideas checking for accuracy
finding information meeting people classifying records
handling complaints evaluating programs coaching individuals
handling detail work editing work collecting money
imagining new solutions tolerating interruptions compiling statistics
interpreting languages confronting other people inventing new ideas
dispensing information constructing buildings proposing ideas
adapting new procedures coping with deadlines investigating problems
negotiating/arbitrating conflicts promoting events locating missing information
speaking to the public raising funds dramatizing ideas
writing letters/papers/proposals questioning others estimating physical space
reading volumes of material being thorough organizing files
remembering information coordinating schedules/times managing people
interviewing prospective employees running meetings selling products
listening to others supervising employees teaching/instructing/training individuals
relating to the public enduring long hours inspecting physical objects
entertaining people displaying artistic ideas distributing products
deciding uses of money managing an organization delegating responsibility
measuring boundaries serving individuals mediating between people
counseling/consulting people motivating others persuading others
operating equipment reporting information summarizing information
supporting others encouraging others delegating responsibilities
determining a problem defining a problem comparing results
screening telephone calls maintaining accurate records drafting reports
collaborating ideas administering medication comprehending ideas
overseeing operations motivating others generating accounts
teaching/instructing/training individuals thinking in a logical manner making decisions
becoming actively involved defining performance standards resolving conflicts
analyzing problems recommending courses of action selling ideas
preparing written communications expressing ideas orally to individuals or groups conducting interviews
performing numeric analysis conducting meetings setting priorities
setting work/committee goals developing plans for projects gathering information
taking personal responsibility thinking of creative ideas providing discipline when necessary
maintaining a high level of activity enforcing rules and regulations meeting new people
developing a climate of enthusiasm, teamwork, and cooperation interacting with people at different levels picking out important information
creating meaningful and challenging work taking independent action skillfully applying professional knowledge
maintaining emotional control under stress knowledge of concepts and principles providing customers with service
knowledge of community/government affairs