What is the Purpose of Skills Inventory?

A skills inventory is a list that enumerates your skills, education, and experiences. This list makes it simple for employers to choose the best candidate, whether they're searching for a great data analyst or a charming public speaker.

Having an inventory of skills is beneficial not only to companies but to job hunters as well.

As a job hunter, your skills are a huge part of self-assessment. You can determine whether you have the right skills to do a job well. It can also help you see where you need improvement. If you want to know the purpose of skills inventory and how keeping one can help you land the perfect job, keep reading.

Benefits of Knowing Your Skillset

1. Assessing new career options

   What is the purpose of skills inventory? It allows you to assess and list your edge as an employee, so you can see which type of job will fit you best. For example, you might not be the best fit for a data analyst job if operating Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets isn't in your skillset.

2. Knowing your skills

   A skillset list can benefit a company because it'll be easier for them to know if you're the right fit. It'll also help them determine if there's anything they need to address or if you're not who they're looking for.

   As for the one applying for the job, knowing your skills can help you prepare when the interviewer looks at your self-awareness and the traits that come naturally to you. These traits include diligence, teamwork, and empathy.

3. Understanding your career growth

   You can identify areas for growth and development with a skillset list. It can also allow knowledge transfer as you move on to new job possibilities.

   For example, managers usually undergo leadership training apart from the work experience needed to upskill. A company will most likely not consider someone for a managerial position if they lack leadership skills.

4. Strengthening skills

   You can also use your skills inventory to strengthen and improve your current skills. Similarly, skills inventory can help companies develop a plan to enhance their skillset and help meet their goals. You could also receive cross-training in various positions, duties, or tasks to help prepare you for what the company requires.

5. Being aware of limitations

   The list highlights the qualities less consistent with who you are and can help you point out professions you might not wish to pursue.

   If you consider yourself an introvert, you might want to avoid jobs that demand you to spend a lot of time engaging with others.

   By being aware of your limitations, you can start enhancing your weaknesses. Employers respect candidates who make an effort to advance their careers.

6. Deciding whether to stay or leave

   The median number of years employees stay in a company is currently 4.1 years. However, that's not to say that everyone leaves. Remember that great communication skills are a top skill employers look for, so start communicating! Knowing your skillset allows HR to curate the steps to help you upskill so you can enjoy your work more.

7. Managing a crisis

   Managing a crisis demands quick thinking and effective teamwork from everyone. A skills inventory assists in locating possible employees who could play various roles in crisis management. It enables businesses to identify replacements for staff members who might not be available during the crisis. It also places an edge on job hunters as they add more skills to their roster.

Gain a Competitive Advantage

Awareness is the first step to creating an accurate and solid resume. It can help you prepare for an interview and land that position. Knowing what you can bring to the table can help you put your best foot forward. A skills inventory can help you sell yourself to your chosen company.

Take time to improve your resume by self-assessing your strengths, which will surely reward you with a worthwhile job. For more career tips, head to Career.com!