You want to change careers but you tell yourself you don't have THE
SKILLS To get started? Does it make you lose confidence and hold you back from taking the plunge?
In this article, you'll discover that you're not starting from scratch and that most of the skills you have today can be transferred to a new career, even one very different from your current job! You'll learn to identify your areas of expertise and clarify which ones you want to continue using or not in your future career project.
First of all, what is a skill?
The etymology of the word comes from Latin: «"competentia"», which means «" conjunction "». Because a skill is the right balance between knowledge and its application.
Skills refer the capabilities that we possess to carry out an activity or mission by mobilizing 4 types of resources It is an aggregate knowledge (your theoretical knowledge), know-how (your technical expertise), soft skills (your
interpersonal qualities) and physical abilities (the use of your body and your 5 senses).
When you are asked to describe your key skills during an interview, for example, think about these 4 possibilities!
A personal or professional skill can be transferred, you are not leaving
Never zero!
It is important to take into account the skills developed by the individual in his life
professional and personal, From your birth to today. Everything you have done since your earliest childhood counts. For example, Playing the piano has allowed you to acquire skills in coordination, patience, and artistic expression. Play the Football has taught you to work as a team, to develop your endurance and strength mental. And all of this can be used in a multitude of different professions.
Transferable skills These are specific skills that you have acquired throughout your life and that can be reused in almost any professional context.
How can you identify your transferable skills?
Be aware that most soft skills are transferable skills. For example, communication Listening skills, eloquence, oral and written expression, and proficiency in using digital communication tools are qualities you can leverage in a wide range of professions. Purely technical expertise can also be a transferable skill: mastery of a specific software program, for example. To identify these skills, a little self-reflection and a review of your previous experiences are essential. You can also draw on past evaluations and feedback from colleagues or family and friends., personality tests Or skills assessment.
So remember, A skill is an aggregate of four types of knowledge.. And everything you You have learned throughout your life, whether in your professional or personal life, and this can be useful to you in your career change.
Now that you know what a skill is, you can:
- Identify your key skills (you can refer to the following list for example: Skills (listecompetences.fr)
- Match your skills to your comfort zone, development zone, effort zone, and those to avoid (see explanation below)
- Identify your top 5 skills that you absolutely want to regain in your future professional project
When we talk about mapping our areas of expertise, it's about understanding what
One may enjoy doing something or not, and use it frequently or infrequently. This allows one to classify their skills into the following skill areas:
- Comfort zone : When we have used a skill often in our lives and, moreover, we enjoy using it.
- Development zone: When we have used a skill infrequently or insufficiently and it appeals to us.
- Effort zone: when we have often used a skill but we do not enjoy using it.
- Area to avoid« : when we know little about a skill and, moreover, we don't like it.
You can then ask yourself the following questions regarding your skills that are within your comfort zone:
- What am I good at for this skill?
- What are the elements that bring me pleasure when I use it?
- In what contexts do I use it?
- Why is this skill important and motivating for me?
And the following questions for your development area:
- What do I need to acquire to become competent in this skill?
- What elements would bring me pleasure when I use it?
- In what contexts will I use it?
- Why is this skill important and motivating for me?
To help you delve deeper into your thinking:
Can I acquire new skills regardless of my age and background?
=> YES, the plasticity of our brain and our neurons are active throughout our lives. Our
Motivation too!
Would it be beneficial for me to look for a position that requires frequent use of a skill from my "avoid" zone?
=> NO, it's not very useful to learn something we don't yet know how to do and that we don't enjoy; it consumes too much energy. Let's not shoot ourselves in the foot!
In a job interview, should I only talk about my skills?
=> NO, all 4 types of skills can and should be addressed
If I practice yoga in my free time, can it be useful in a professional setting?
=> YES, the skills acquired through our interests are just as transferable (concentration, listening, self-control, flexibility…).
Can I use the skills from my area of focus in my job?
=> YES, but sparingly, because they consume energy. It's a balance to be found between those in the development zone and those in the comfort zone.
