Joe DavidAbilities, skills and competences for a specific job role
This article aims to explore how you can assess your own abilities, skills and competences for a specific job role. There are many self-evaluation models available that you can use for the assessment of your skills and abilities; however, this article uses SWOT analysis only. For the purpose of understanding, let us assume that you would like to apply for the post of a restaurant manager.
Surely, if you can use your abilities to the fullest, you are highly likely to succeed in your endeavours. Likewise, you will encounter fewer problems, if you were aware of your weaknesses. So, how do you identify your own skills and abilities? How do explore the opportunities and threats that can emanate from your strengths and weaknesses. As stated above, you can do all these by using a number of models and techniques. However, this article uses SWOT analysis only. SWOT stands for Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat.
Why personal skills audit?
Without a personal skills audit, you may not know if you had to improve any of your existing skills, abilities, and competencies. It helps you prepare for a career change that you may have been wishing for a long time. Likewise, it also helps you build a personal development plan.
How to conduct a personal SWOT analysis
You can draw a large square and divide it into four smaller boxes with each box being titled separately as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Then ask yourself some relevant questions and write down the answers in the boxes accordingly. Please note that you need a number of skills and abilities to work as a manager in a casual dining restaurant.
Strengths
What relevant qualifications e.g. Diploma/Degree in Hospitality/Tourism do I have?
What work experience do I have as a restaurant manager?
Am I familiar with any relevant restaurant software?
What managerial and leadership skills do I have?
How good am I in financial management?
Do I have any other relevant skills, abilities and competencies?
Weaknesses
Am I not confident in doing something in particular?
What negative work habits do I have?
Where do I fall behind compared to others?
What am I not comfortable doing?
Opportunities
Any opportunities for growth in my current and potential workplace?
How can I take advantages of the new trends in my workplace?
Threats
Can there be something negative developing in my workplace?
Can any of my weaknesses be translated into threats?
Are there many potential candidates applying for the same job?
Once you have answers to all the questions above, you become fully aware of where you stand; what improvements you need to make; and what you need to look out for. You can then develop a personal development plan which must be monitored and evaluated to see how effective you have been in your development approach (BBC, 2020).
We hope the article ‘Abilities, skills and competences for a specific job role’ has been helpful. You may also like reading key benefits of ongoing professional development for different stakeholders and Learning styles – definition and types of learning style. Other relevant articles for you are:
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Last update: 24 April 2020
References/further reading
BBC (2020) Monitoring, recording and evaluating performance development, available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zyncdmn/revision/1 (accessed 12 April 2020)
Photo credit: Pixabay
Author: Joe David
Joe David has years of teaching experience both in the UK and abroad. He writes regularly online on a variety of topics. He has a keen interest in business, hospitality, and tourism management. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management.
M Rahman
