How to Answer “What Skills Can You Bring To The Job?”
Find out how to answer this common interview question to help ace your interview.
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | 24 Nov 2020
A question that frequently gets asked at an interview is ‘What skills can you bring to the job?’.
Employers or recruiters throw this question into the interview because they want to be certain that the skills you possess are a match for the job. Hiring new staff isn’t cheap and depending on the job it can cost thousands to onboard a new member of staff. So, before offering you the job they need to know you’ve got the skills needed to do the job successfully.
The answer you give also shows the interviewer if you’ve read the job description and understand what the job really involves.
To help you to be a standout candidate we cover what a skills-based interview is, what the interviewer will be looking for, the top skills employers look for and we also offer tips on how to prepare to answer skills-based questions.
What is a skills-based interview and why do employers use it?
A skills-based interview is a common interview technique that’s used when an employer or recruiter has a defined list of skills that they need the person they’re hiring to have.
The questions asked will require you to reflect on past situations and to explain what the problem was, what role you played in overcoming it and what the outcome was. For example, you may be asked, “Tell me about a time when you had to work on two projects that were both flagged as a priority?”
Past behaviour is thought to be a good indicator of how you’ll perform in your next job. By asking questions that require you to include an example of your past behaviour the interviewer is trying to get to know you better and to determine if your skills match what they need.
Skills-based interviews are used across all industries and for all job levels, from junior jobs through to executive-level jobs like CEO’s.
Why are skills important?
Firstly, listing skills on your CV will help it to get noticed by recruiters or employers. For each job advertised employers receive over 250 applications. Having skills that match what the employer is looking for will improve your chances of getting invited for an interview.
Secondly, being aware of the skills you have will boost your confidence in the interview. The interviewer will be impressed by your ability to talk with clarity about how you approached and handled situations that may have arisen in the workplace, while volunteering or at college or university.
Employers favour skilled individuals as it’s shown that these people will be able to fit into the business, do the job and get along with colleagues with ease. If the employer hires someone who doesn’t understand what the job involves or is a mismatch with the company culture, conflict in the workplace could arise. And, employers want to avoid this at all costs.
The top skills employers look for
Work-related skills are often split into two categories; hard skills and soft skills.
Hard skills are also known as ‘technical skills’. These are the specialist skills or knowledge that are needed to do the job. These skills or knowledge can be learned at school, at college, at university or in a work setting. Technical skills include things like; project management, data analysis, technical drawing or writing or being experienced in using a particular software programme.
Technical skills are needed across a range of industries such as education, transport, engineering, construction, mathematics and programming.
The other type of skills are soft skills - the non-technical skills you possess. Soft skills aren’t typically learned, instead, they’re developed over time by experiences and interactions with others. This could be time spent with family and friends, in education through volunteering or working.
Employers can place a lot of emphasis on soft skills. For example, an individual may hold the necessary technical knowledge and skills, but if they show that they struggle to work in a team environment, they may not be suitable for this particular job.
Soft skills that employers look for in candidates include people skills (the ability to get along with others), communication skills, listening skills, adaptability, empathy and a good work ethic. This isn’t an exhaustive list and employers will value different soft skills. Referring back to the job description takes the guesswork out of understanding what soft skills the hirer is looking for in the job you’re applying for.
Questions the interviewer could ask to see if your soft skills match what they want include; “Tell me about a time you had to lead a team?” or “How do you cope under pressure?”
How to prepare for a skills-based interview
There’s no way to know what type of interview the employer will use. You may be able to see the type of questions you could be asked by visiting the interview section of the company's Glassdoor page. It’s highly likely though that you may be asked some skills-based questions.
We recommend you follow the STAR method to answer skills-based questions. STAR stands for:
- S - Situation: Setting the scene - include where you worked and what your role was
- T - Task: Describe the challenge you faced - try to relate this to the job you’re applying for
- A - Action: Talk in-depth about the steps you took, any issues you faced, and the skills you used
R - Results: Detail the results that were achieved by your action and also mention what you learned
The benefits of the STAR method is that it can be applied to a range of skills-based questions and it produces a logical story that the interviewer can easily follow.
With your examples prepared and your nerves calmed, you’re in the best position to impress the interviewer and to receive a job offer.
Glassdoor Team
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Tags:Interview QuestionsSkills
