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Imagine your career as a puzzle board with most pieces scattered around, waiting to be assembled. Each piece represents a different skill that you have.
To get a complete picture, you need to organize your pieces in a particular order and to do that, you can use a personal skills matrix.
In this blog, you'll discover:
What is a personal skills matrix?
When to assess your skills?
Components of a personal skills matrix
Best practices to populate your skills matrix
Let's dive!
What is a personal skills matrix?
With artificial intelligence and automation on the rise, upskilling isn't a buzzword anymore; it's a necessity. A skills matrix is a visual representation of your skills and competencies. It is a valuable tool to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses to encourage you to hone your current skill set or learn new ones.
A skills matrix can be your guide to answer the following questions:
What skills do I have?
What is my performance rate in each skill set?
What should I include in my upskilling plan?
Do I have the necessary skills for a specific task or project assigned to me?
Am I fit for the role I've applied for?
Your skills matrix isn't just a static snapshot; it's a dynamic reflection of your growth. As you evolve and learn more about yourself, you'll notice how these pieces interlock and complement one another, guiding you toward your full potential.
When to assess your skills?
Assessing your skills is a continuous process, but it becomes crucial during specific occasions;
Performance reviews
Career transition
Job search
Promotions
Performance Reviews
Do a quick skills matrix before the quarterly or annual evaluations conducted by your employer. Self-assessment provides a foundation for constructive conversations, making it easier to highlight the wins during that period and set realistic expectations and goals for the future.
Career Transition
Switching careers can be daunting, especially when you don't precisely know what transferable skills you possess. Recognizing those skills can boost your confidence and help you communicate your value to potential employers. It also identifies the ones you lack, and you can proactively upskill.
Job Search
When you're on the hunt for a new job, assessing your skills can help you customize your resume and cover letter to match the specific job requirements you're applying for. It also enables you to prepare for job interviews by formulating compelling answers.
Understanding your worth and skillset enables you to negotiate salary and benefits more effectively during the hiring process. It can help you identify job opportunities that align with your strengths and interests, leading to a more satisfying and productive career.
Promotions
Earning a promotion is a significant achievement in one's career, and assessing your skills as you progress in your current role can help you identify skills gaps. It enables you to articulate how your skills align with the requirements of the promotion, making a compelling case for your advancement.
Components of a personal skills matrix
A skills matrix can be created in any tool, be it a spreadsheet, Word document, or even a Miro board. A well-structured one contains nine key components, each serving a specific purpose:
Skills category
Skills
Description
Proficiency
Rating
Achievements
Tools
Training required
Education
Skills Category: The first column groups your skills into broader categories, making it easier for a quick scan. You can either split the categories into two: technical and people skills, or you can dive deep based on the specializations such as project management, UX design, database management, etc.
Skills: In this column, you list the individual skills that fall under each category. Depending on your context, these could be anything from Java programming to stakeholder management.
Description: Include a brief description of each skill to provide clarity on what you know and do.
Proficiency: Use this column to rate your current proficiency in each skill, such as beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert.
Achievements: Document notable achievements related to a particular skill to showcase your capabilities and boost motivation.
Tools: Mention the tools or software you use to perform each skill.
Training Required: Identify your training needs based on your proficiency level and add what kind of training suits you.
Education: Note any formal education or degrees relevant to the skill. While education doesn't always equate to proficiency, it can be a valuable asset.
Rating: In the final column, assign a rating based on theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and the execution of the projects using specific skills. The highest score for theoretical knowledge and practical experience is 3 for each. For the project execution, it is 4 as speed, and the quality of the execution matters here. So, the total score is 10 for each skill. For an accurate rating of your skill, ask your managers and team members, both current and previous ones, to help you out.
Best practices to populate your skills matrix
To populate the different columns, do the following:
Review your resume and current projects
One of the most straightforward ways to begin populating your skills matrix is to review your resume and current projects/tasks. For each skill you identify on your resume or project lists, add specific achievements or projects where you've applied that skill. This provides concrete evidence of your proficiency and helps quantify your expertise.
Engage relevant stakeholders to rate your skill
To ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of your skills matrix, it's crucial to involve relevant stakeholders. This may include managers, colleagues, mentors, or even clients who have worked closely with you. Ask these stakeholders to rate your skills based on their observations and experiences working with you.
Use a scale that aligns with your needs, such as a numerical scale. Gathering input from various sources provides a more holistic view of your skills. Different perspectives can help you identify blind spots and areas where you might overestimate or underestimate your abilities.
Have a good balance of technical and people skills
A well-rounded skills matrix should encompass both technical and people skills. While technical skills are often job-specific and essential for task execution, people skills are equally crucial for collaboration, leadership, and overall career success.
Regularly update your skills matrix
Skills are not static; they evolve over time. To keep your skills matrix relevant and accurate, make it a habit to update it regularly. Establish a schedule for reviewing and updating your skills matrix. This could be quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, depending on your career goals and industry trends.
As you achieve new milestones or gain new skills, be sure to document them in your skills matrix. This ensures that your matrix reflects your current abilities. Continue to engage with stakeholders and seek feedback on your skills. This ongoing dialogue helps you stay aware of your strengths and areas for improvement.
So what are you waiting for? Create your skills matrix today and start leveling up!
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