18 Unit 1 Learning About Human Services
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Pathway to Success Pathway to Success
Portable Skills in the Twenty-First Century
You hear the buzz word “portable skills”
when people talk about résumés and look
for a job. What are portable skills? How can
you fi nd out if you have any? Portable skills
are skills you learn at one job that you can
use in different work situations—even in a
different industry. These might also be skills
you develop through volunteer work, hobbies,
sports, or other life experiences.
Some of the basic portable skills that
almost everyone has include decision-making,
communication (both written and verbal),
problem-solving, and leadership skills. Other
portable skills that employers look for may
include
• meeting deadlines;
• having the ability to plan and delegate;
• accepting responsibility;
• instructing others;
• using good time management skills;
• being open to learning new skills; and
• showing how you can increase sales or
productivity.
Now that you know what portable skills
include, you can work on your own list of
personal portable skills. Some easy steps to
help fi gure out what portable skills you have
include
• making a list of your experiences on and off
campus;
• developing an inventory of skills;
• highlighting your research
experiences;
• describing how you make a decision;
• listing leadership roles; and
• explaining how well you function in a
group setting.
The portable skills you develop now will
help shape the professional you will become.
While you are still in school, you are able
to work on your creativity, learn how to ask
for help, and build your personal credibility.
Volunteer opportunities will enable you to
meet new people and network. Remember the
old adage, “it’s not what you know, but who
you know.”
Create a Personal Skills and Job Chart
Using the steps above, make a list of skills
you possess, as well as skills you are learning.
Update this list throughout the year. Remember
to also keep a list of any volunteer and work
experiences, including the duties you perform.
These lists come in handy to remind you of your
accomplishments. You can add them to your
résumé or talk about them during a job interview.
After gathering this information, put it into
a chart. You can do this in many ways. One
way is to list the job in one column and the
skills learned in a second column. Another
way is to break down the skills into areas
in one column (such as communication
skills, decision making, problem solving, and
leadership) and list examples in the second
column. Be creative as you make your own
list and chart. Use this information to help you
determine which portable skills you can start
developing now.