Identify Your Skills, Abilities, Talents and Traits

Record as much information as you can in response to the following questions:

• What skills and abilities do you currently possess? Keep in mind that you will develop skills in many areas throughout your life so list as many skills as you can! If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, take a look at Employability Skills 2000+ to help
• What skills and abilities would you like to strengthen or develop?
• What skills do you enjoy using the most?
• What would you consider to be your talents? Write down as many ideas as you can regardless of how important or useful you feel they are.
• How would you describe yourself? Make a list of personal characteristics. Here is a list of examples that can help get you started.

Not only will this information help you get to know yourself better, it will also allow you to compare your own abilities with the skills required to perform certain occupations. When you research occupations later on in the process, you will be able to see which skills you already possess and which you may need to develop or strengthen.