Job competencies are the skills and knowledge required to work in a specific position or sector . These are the skills and abilities that a person must possess to perform successfully in a job .
It should be noted that the idea of competition has several meanings. In this case we are interested in its meaning as the expertise required to carry out an activity. Labor , meanwhile, is something linked to a job: a paid occupation.
It is important to indicate that job competencies include both technical and theoretical knowledge and practical expertise , as well as attitudes and virtues . It can be said that it is the set of resources that allow a worker to function effectively in the workplace.
Types of job skills
It is common for job skills to be classified into two large groups: hard skills and soft skills .
Hard skills are those job skills that are obtained through study and experience . Training and education can be developed through university degrees, postgraduate courses, professional courses, seminars and other proposals that have to do with training.
Soft skills , on the other hand, are job skills linked to interpersonal skills such as effective communication, the ability to work in teams and leadership . Other soft skills are good time management, adaptability , creativity and critical thinking.
Although soft skills can be increased and exercised, they cannot be acquired by studying. The case is different for hard skills such as foreign languages , programming or legal knowledge , to name a few examples.
Another difference is that hard skills are specific and can be measured or evaluated in a concrete way. On the contrary, soft skills are more abstract and are often related to emotions.
From the generic to the particular
As you can see, there are job skills that are needed in all jobs . The ability to solve problems and make decisions , for example, is relevant regardless of the company, position, etc.
Proactivity , flexibility , empathy and responsibility are other virtues that are demanded in all companies. Others may be more or less useful depending on the context: mastering working under pressure is key for an airplane pilot, but not for a clothing salesperson. Likewise, innovation is highly appreciated in the advertising industry but it has no impact on the work of a waiter.
If we focus on technical knowledge , it is valid in specific areas. Digital skills are essential for someone who manages corporate social networks; If we look at a surgeon, it does not change whether or not he knows about digital marketing when his role is to carry out surgical interventions. Likewise, the surgeon's health science specialization is irrelevant to working in architecture and design.
Examples of job skills
Suppose a hotel is looking for a new manager . When publishing the search notice, it mentions mastery of English and Portuguese and experience in human resources management as exclusive requirements, while organizational skills , conflict management and customer service orientation are desired skills. This means that whoever applies and aspires to be hired must have these work skills to be taken into account and then, if chosen, to successfully fulfill their role.
Let's now take the case of someone who aspires to develop a professional career in the area of public relations (PR). After completing a bachelor's degree in Public Relations , he begins pursuing a master's degree in Institutional Communication . Likewise, opting for continuous learning , take a writing and editing course . With these decisions, this individual is committed to enhancing his work skills to progress in his field of work.
Self-management , on the other hand, is key for those who have a business or carry out their own initiative. Taking on strategic planning and financial management are issues that those who work as employees may not need to do or know, which means they do not need these skills.
It must be taken into account that the job skills demanded in a sector change over time. If we think about journalism, decades ago it was very important to know how to use a typewriter . Today that skill has no value since that device was replaced by the computer: that is why you need to have computer knowledge. At the same time, currently all journalists must be able to use social networks to search for information, contact other people and disseminate their work, when twenty years ago this technological tool was non-existent. This means that a reporter who graduated in 1995 has to update his knowledge so that his work skills continue to be in line with those demanded by the market.