By Fred Crooks
Core competencies for success are a unique set of skills and abilities that can guide you in your quest to reach your career goals. Knowing what
these competencies are and identifying them within yourself can help you gauge your skillset and create goals for personal and career success.
1. Identify. Identify your skills and determine which ones are most valuable. Determining the value of your skills will require knowledge of what the value of the skill is in the workforce (Is it sought after? Is it rare?), your mastery of the skill, and most importantly, how much you enjoy using that skill. If you dislike using the skill but you are very good at it, the value changes because you are less motivated to use it, and long term use of the skill will ultimately further you from your goals.
2. Market. Market your skills that are in highest demand. Keep that list of skills that you identified in step one at the top of your mind. When you go in to talk to a potential employer or client, sell those skills to them. Know why the skills are valuable and know your proficiency levels, and use the information to sell yourself as the solution to their needs.
3. Target. Figure out who you should be marketing to depending on your skills, and market to them. If you determine who you should be targeting and there are one or more skills that you need to work on, make that a high priority goal for yourself. If there are skills that you are very proficient at but the skills are irrelevant to the needs of your target, don’t waste too much time selling those skills to them. Play up the skills that are important to your target.
4. Network. Proactively start and engage in meaningful industry conversations. Educate yourself on important industry topics and position yourself as a subject-matter expert. Never stop educating yourself on industry topics and changes within the industry. Seek out new and revolutionary information. Bring new industry topics up in your conversations, and create useful connections with others during these conversations.
5. Be aware. Know your worth and your limits. Don’t accept less than you should, and don’t put yourself in a situation where you are surpassing your own limits. Accepting a position that pushes past your limits will make you appear incompetent and jeopardize your growth in the industry. Accepting less than your worth will also jeopardize your growth. Find your sweet spot and create goals that will allow you upward movement. Frequently re-evaluate the value of your skillset and re-assess your goals.
By knowing your competencies will give you the confidence you need to negotiate and achieve the personal and career success you are working toward.