SKILL

Having a skill is the ability to perform an action with a determined mindset of getting a success, most times within a specified time frame and needed energy. A skill may or may not be inbuilt or inborn; a skill can be learnt. Skills can be categorized into: hard skills, soft skills,labour skills, life skills, social skills,people skills. Hard skills, also called technical skills, are any skills relating to a specific task or situation. It involves both understanding and proficiency in such specific activity that involves methods, processes, procedures, or techniques. Some hard skills are Software, Foreign languages, Operating certain equipment or machinery. Soft skills are a combination of interpersonal people skills, social skills, communication skills, character traits, attitudes, career attributes and emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) among others. Some soft skills are Communication, Customer service, Problem-solving, Time management, Leadership. Labour skills are concerned with skilled workers -electricians, masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, bakers, brewers, coopers, printers and other occupations that are economically productive. Skilled workers were often politically active through their craft guilds. Life skills-An ability and capacity acquired through deliberate, systematic, and sustained effort to smoothly and deceptively carryout complex activities or job functions involving ideas (cognitive skills), things (technical skills), and/or people (interpersonal skills). some life skills are personal life skills, student skills, sports skills. Social skill is any skill facilitating interaction and communication with others. Social rules and relations are created, communicated, and changed in verbal and nonverbal ways. The process of learning such skills is called socialization. People skills are described as understanding ourselves and moderating our responses, talking effectively and empathizing accurately, building relationships of trust, respect and productive interactions. Job skills- These are skills needed for jobs,they are not only desirable by employers but necessary in order to grow in your role or work well with others. it includes Leadership and Management Skills, professionalism skills, organizational skills, team-building skills, analytical skills. Top skills to add to your resume or curriculum vitae to place you at an advantageous post are Active listening, Communication, Computer skills, Customer service, Interpersonal skills, Leadership, Management skills, Problem-solving, Time management, Transferable skills. You might unnecessarily feel like you do not know which skill is yours but then skills can be identified. Some ways to do this are: take a personality test, find what makes you strong, find what you spend so much money/energy/time on, ask friends/family for help, consider your choice of relationship and their individual personalities,consider your activities and involvements, check out your achievements/awards/things you have been thanked for, be open to change. Having identified your skills, you should work on how to develop the skills. These could be of help: Be curious, Develop your learning skill, Be a versatilist, Find your role models, Find your mentors, Get feedback through real projects, Shorten your learning cycle. It is really important to develop your skills because it increases career development opportunities, it increases employment opportunities, helps in career development, increases knowledge and understanding. By Akinleye Grace Oluwabusola @grace_akinleye