Employability Skills Audit
Select skills that you feel you are competent in, or would like to improve. You will realise that you already
have many skills that are essential for employment. Complete this exercise by ticking the relevant boxes.
If you think that particular statements are not relevant to you at the moment then move on to the next
statement. Upon completion use the Action Plan to prioritise your top 3 skills in which you feel competent
and prioritise the top 3 skills you would like to improve or develop.
I feel
competent
using this skill
I would like
to improve
this skill
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: able to express yourself clearly in writing
Thinking through in advance what you want to say
Gathering, analysing and arranging your information in a logical sequence
Developing your argument in a logical way
Being able to condense information/produce concise summary notes
Adapting your writing style for different audiences
Avoiding jargon
ORAL COMMUNICATION: expressing your ideas clearly and confidently in speech
Listening carefully to what others are saying
Able to clarify and summarise what others are communicating
Helping others to define their problems. Not interrupting
Being sensitive to body language as well as verbal information
Making the right impression by making effective use of dress, conduct and speech
Keeping business telephone calls to the point
Thinking up an interesting way to put across your message to groups.
Successfully building a rapport with your audience when speaking to groups.
TEAMWORK: working confidently within a group
Working cooperatively towards a common goal.
Contributing your own ideas effectively in a group.
Listening to others' opinions.
Taking a share of the responsibility.
Being assertive - rather than passive or aggressive.
Accepting & learning from constructive criticism. Giving positive, constructive
feedback
Putting your points across in a reasoned way.
Emphasising the positive aspects of your argument.
Understanding the needs of the person you are dealing with.
Handling objections to your arguments.
Making concessions to reach agreement.
Using tact and diplomacy.
LEADERSHIP: able to motivate and direct others
Taking the initiative.
Organising and motivating others.
Making decisions and seeing them through.
Taking a positive attitude to failure: persevering when things are not working out.
Accepting responsibility for mistakes/wrong decisions.
Being flexible - prepared to adapt goals in the light of changing situations.
CRITICAL THINKING & ANALYTICAL ABILITY: able to question assumptions and recognise inconsistencies
Gathering information systematically to establish facts and principles
Collecting, collating, classifying and summarising data systematically
Recognising inconsistencies in reasoning
PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING: able to discover, analyse, solve problems and make choices
based on your judgement
Clarifying the nature of a problem before deciding action
I feel
competent
using this skill
I would like
to improve
this skill
Analysing the factors involved in a problem & being able to identify the key ones
Differentiating between practical and impractical solutions
Setting objectives which are achievable
Making choices based on your own judgement
Implementing appropriate decisions
Evaluating and revising plans where appropriate
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION: able to think of a new idea and put it into practice
Using imagination to develop new and original ideas
Using creativity/initiative in the generation of alternative solutions to current ideas
Implementing appropriate processes for new idea or solution
NETWORKING: able to develop relationships with others for mutual benefit
Identifying contacts within your chosen field
Pursuing contacts in your chosen field in an assertive constructive manner
Using online professional networking websites to build and publicise your profile
Maintaining contacts through work/clubs/careers events etc. to identify present and
future opportunities and publicise professional profile
TIME MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING: Managing your time effectively/using action planning skills
Setting priorities - most important/most urgent
Identifying the steps needed to achieve your goals
Being able to work effectively when under pressure
Completing work to a deadline
Planning and organising your personal finances effectively. Managing a limited
budget
IT SKILLS: being able to use computers and technology for word-processing and calculation tasks, researching
information and communicating over the internet
Word-processing skills
Using databases (e.g. Access)
Using spreadsheets (e.g. Excel)
Using the Internet and email
Using social media (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, Delicious etc.)
Using research analysis software e.g. SPSS
Designing web pages
Programming skills
RESEARCH: able to investigate information to establish facts and reach own conclusions
Reading and interpreting graphs and tables
Using statistics
Using library resources
Using online information sources
Referencing materials
MANAGEMENT OF OWN LEARNING: able to take responsibility for own learning and work on own initiative
Showing the ability to work under your own direction and initiative
Paying care and attention to quality in all your work
Developing the drive and enthusiasm to achieve your goals
Accepting responsibility for your views and actions
Taking the opportunity to learn new skills
SKILLS NOT LISTED ABOVE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD: Continue on separate sheet if necessary
Adapted with kind permission from Kent University Career Advisory Service Skills Inventory