One of the hotter topics in business these days is "core competencies." The idea behind this phrase is that there are some things that businesses know how to do better than the competition - and we're not talking "build a better widget," but rather the know-how, processes, and abilities that allow a company to not only build better widgets, but build better thingamabobs, distribute them both, and sell more of them. Put another way, core competencies are not about the value a business adds, but what it does to add value.
Developed by economists C. K. Prahad and Gary Hamel, core competencies have become a popular way for businesses to describe what makes them distinctive in their fields. And because it has proven useful, the idea has spread to the individual too. People also have specific abilities, ways of thinking, and ways of performing tasks that make them stand out from others.
For instance, you as a job-seeker may be able to think about the long-term implications of a course of action, or you may have outstanding data analysis skills. You might be an adept negotiator who can close complex and difficult deals, or you might be able to communicate ideas or goals effectively. Each of these aspects of your persona can give you a leg up on others, and most of them can be transferred to several different job categories.
In fact, just as business leaders have come to describe their companies in terms of their core competencies, so individuals have come to do so on their resumes. A new type of resume has evolved over the last decade that reflects this trend: the competency-based resume.
Similar in concept to keywords, a list of core competencies differs from keywords in often providing details of experience to accompany or flesh out the competency. They have several advantages over traditional formats:
In the next post on this subject, we will discuss how you can determine your core competencies and showcase them.
Developed by economists C. K. Prahad and Gary Hamel, core competencies have become a popular way for businesses to describe what makes them distinctive in their fields. And because it has proven useful, the idea has spread to the individual too. People also have specific abilities, ways of thinking, and ways of performing tasks that make them stand out from others.
For instance, you as a job-seeker may be able to think about the long-term implications of a course of action, or you may have outstanding data analysis skills. You might be an adept negotiator who can close complex and difficult deals, or you might be able to communicate ideas or goals effectively. Each of these aspects of your persona can give you a leg up on others, and most of them can be transferred to several different job categories.
In fact, just as business leaders have come to describe their companies in terms of their core competencies, so individuals have come to do so on their resumes. A new type of resume has evolved over the last decade that reflects this trend: the competency-based resume.
Similar in concept to keywords, a list of core competencies differs from keywords in often providing details of experience to accompany or flesh out the competency. They have several advantages over traditional formats:
- they are more likely to make it past the automated scanning systems many firms use
- they can be more easily tailored to a wide variety of positions
- they are more effective for job-seekers looking to change fields or cast a wider net for available positions
In the next post on this subject, we will discuss how you can determine your core competencies and showcase them.
There's a job suited to your own core competencies waiting for you on FinancialJobBank.com.
By Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.
By Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!