The following Skills, Attitudes and Behaviours are needed for life, learning and work in today's world. You are likely to have some of these skills, but not all of them. Check off the ones you believe you have and start to build your list. You can use the words from the following lists to describe yourself and your abilities in any of these skills, attitudes and behaviours for any of the purposes listed below.

• Self Awareness
• Skill Building
• Résumé Writing
• Interview Preparation
• Training and Upgrading
• Secondary and Post-secondary Application
• Career Preparation

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communication Skills include abilities in reading, writing, speaking, listening and understanding non-verbal communication.

• Find the information you are looking for by reading
• Follow written instructions
• Summarize information you have read in your own words
• Understand what you read well enough to relate it to other information
• Make sense of the information in charts, tables and graphs

• Use correct grammar when you write
• Express your thoughts, ideas and opinions in writing
• Communicate information clearly to others
• Change writing style to suit different audiences (e.g. customers, friends, co-workers, supervisors)
• Create a variety of written documents such as letters, memos, messages, and reports
• Proof read and edit your own work for spelling, grammar and missing information

• Carry on conversations with others and respond to questions they ask
• Express your opinions and ideas to others so they understand you
• Ask the right questions to get the information you need
• Give instructions or explain things clearly to others
• Speak in public or give a speech with confidence
• Change the way you speak for various audiences (e.g. friends, employers, professionals)
• Speak tactfully when resolving a conflict
• Negotiate win-win situations
• Speak assertively so others will be persuaded by your ideas
• Speak with passion about your vision or beliefs
• Speak clearly and courteously when using communication tools such as the telephone and voice-mail
• Communicate in a second language

• Concentrate on what the speaker is saying
• Understand and follow directions
• Repeat what was said in your own words if necessary
• Take accurate notes to help you remember what was said
• Ignore distractions so you can concentrate
• Ask questions to clarify what you think you heard
• Use your body language to show that you are being attentive
• "Read" other people's body language to see if it matches their words

NUMERACY OR NUMERICAL SKILLS

Numeracy Skills mean you have the ability to make connections between numbers and other information around you. You also understand mathematics and have the confidence to use it in everyday life.

• Calculate using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Measure things using the proper tools to figure out distances, weights, volumes and angles
• Estimate by guessing what the result will be
• Calculate mentally as well as by using a pen and paper, a calculator, and a computer
• See connections in life to mathematical concepts such as algebra, exponents, trigonometry and the theory of probability
• Read statistical data and interpret the results
• Develop a budget so that you plan for current spending and future savings
• Analyze costs to get the most for your money

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Use basic computer operating systems and their software
• Operate computer-controlled machinery or equipment in the ways it is intended to be used
• Learn new technology applications and uses
• Use communications equipment and devices ethically and effectively
• Handle technical problems in a logical and systematic manner (troubleshooting)
• Perform routine maintenance of the equipment to keep it running smoothly

CONTINUOUS LEARNING

• Enjoy learning new things and show enthusiasm
• Believe that learning can take place anywhere, not only in a classroom
• Understand that there is always more to learn
• Have goals for what you want to learn
• Can learn alone or with others
• Use a variety of approaches to learning in order to gain what you need to know
• Ask questions to better understand things
• Can break down complex tasks into manageable parts
• Know where to look for resources to help you and where to find courses to take
• Know when to ask others for assistance and for feedback
• Treat mistakes as opportunities to learn
• Can teach, explain, coach, tutor, or mentor others

DECISION MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING ARE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

• Recognize a problem when it arises - it may be uncertain or difficult situations that require solutions
• Use questions to develop a better understanding of the problem
• Define or explain the problem to be sure you understand it
• Gather information needed to make the decision
• Research the situation to locate needed information
• Look at several options and anticipate the outcomes of each
• Check with other people for their opinions
• Decide on the solution and act on it
• Reflect on the decision, evaluate the outcome, and, if necessary, try another solution

CREATIVITY

• Suggest a variety of new and different solutions to problems
• Keep an open mind to other ideas and suggestions
• See the "big picture" and where an idea fits in
• Connect a variety of ideas in a new way
• Identify the critical points and summarize them in a unique way
• Visualize ideas and see solutions to problems
• Ask questions that allow you to go beyond what is obvious
• Be proud of your strengths and abilities
• Follow your passion
• Take some calculated risks
• Reflect on your own learning

TEAMWORK SKILLS

• Identify the roles in the group, including your own
• Plan and make decisions with others
• Contribute key information and ideas to the discussion or activity
• Show empathy - understand others' needs, opinions, and points of view
• Cooperate with others to achieve the group's goals
• Deal with differences within the group with respect
• Share whatever you can with others
• Actively participate in the activities of the group and share the successes
• Provide leadership to the group, if necessary, by motivating the others, taking the initiative, keeping everyone involved and encouraging the group to adapt to change
• Go along with the group's decision
• Accurately read situations and relationships in order to effectively deal with others and get the work done
• Contribute to an enjoyable work environment

PERSONAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS

These are a group of skills that you can develop to manage your everyday behaviour in life, learning, and work. They include:

Planning and Goal Setting

You are good at Planning and Goal Setting if you:

• Know what motivates you to pursue certain goals
• Establish realistic goals and make plans for meeting them
• Predict the consequences of your actions
• Re-evaluate your goals and make adjustments when it's necessary
• Delay immediate gratification in order to pursue long term goals

Time Management

You are good at Managing your Time if you:

• Plan how your time will be used and keep track of it
• Realistically predict how much time a task will take
• Complete things on time and meet deadlines
• Reevaluate and revise your timetable when unexpected situations arise

Organizational Skills

You have good Organizational Skills if you:

• Organize information so you can find it
• Do the important things first
• Manage the activities in your life so that you can handle numerous tasks and demands efficiently

Responsibility

You have a good sense of Responsibility if you:

• Show initiative by looking for things that need to be done
• Know the standards expected of you when completing quality work
• Produce quality work without constant supervision
• Take pride in your work and know where you need to improve
• Do what you say you will do
• Complete the work in spite of setbacks

Accountability

You are Accountable if you:

• Do what is expected of you
• Take responsibility for your actions and mistakes without blaming others
• Demonstrate good attendance and punctuality; show up when you say you will

Personal Ethics

You have good Personal Ethics if you:

• Know what your own values and beliefs are about "right" and "wrong" actions
• Behave in a way that is honest, responsible, and aware
• Are honest in your dealings with others
• Respect confidentiality of information and know when privacy is important
• Act safely

Flexibility and Adaptability

You are Flexible and Adaptable if you:

• Respectfully interact with others from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Respect and care about the feelings of others
• Respond positively to comments and suggestions from others
• Understand that you can't control or know everything
• View constant change positively
• See opportunity in change and diversity
• Believe that you can respond to unexpected events

Positive Attitude to Personal Heath and Stress Management

You have a positive attitude to Personal Health and Stress Management if you:

• Have a healthy eating plan
• Exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep daily to give you energy
• Manage and balance of all the activities in your life and take time to relax
• Understand which activities are contributing to feelings of stress
• Know that stress can be managed
• Know if you need support and where to get it

Self Esteem and Confidence are included in Intra-personal Skills.

They include the following:

Your attitude to yourself

You have a good attitude about yourself if you:

• "Believe you are capable of facing problems and challenges" [Glenn]
• "Believe your actions and choices influence what happens in your life" [Glenn]
• Show optimism - look at situations hopefully and expect favorable results
• Have a sense of humor about yourself
• Accept credit for things you have done well
• Show an ability to handle feedback and/or criticism and be willing to improve

Your knowledge of yourself (self awareness)

You have good self awareness if you:

• Know your strengths and recognize your personal limitations
• Are aware of your feelings and emotions, what causes them, and why
• Understand how your feelings affect your behaviour
• Learn from your experiences and mistakes

Your ability to control and discipline yourself (self regulation or self-discipline)

You have good self-discipline if you:

• Manage your impulsive feelings and your emotions
• Accept the authority and supervision of others
• Act composed even in difficult situations
• Make sound decisions even when under pressure
• Respond to the consequences of everyday life in a responsible and honest manner

Your ability to show confidence and assert yourself

You are confident and assertive if you:

• Express feelings, thoughts and beliefs confidently even when you have different viewpoints from others
• Try new things
• Make an effort to reach your personal potential by pursuing what you enjoy doing
• Form positive relationships
• Develop personal and professional networks
• Depend on your own strengths and knowledge to make decisions

SKILLS REQUIRING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• You have good Small Motor Coordination if you:
  Use your hands and fingers to do precise work
• You have good Large Motor Coordination if you:
  Use the large muscles of your body in a coordinated way
• You have good Stamina if you:
  Endure hard physical work for long periods of time without exhaustion
• You have good Strength if you:
  Have the capacity to do heavy work such as lifting or carrying heavy objects
• You have a Quick Response Time if you:
  Move quickly when you need to

CARVE OUT A PROFILE FOR YOURSELF

Here are some sample profiles that put together skills, attitudes and behaviours (from the lists above) in commonly used ways. You can create a profile of yourself which illustrates how your skills can be combined in ways that fit frequently used terms. You may, at times, be asked to describe yourself as a person with one of these particular sets of skills, attitudes and behaviours. You will likely find this language used in advertisements for jobs and in job interviews.

If you want to demonstrate on your resume or in an interview that your strengths lie in these areas, you can pick skills from the appropriate lists. Three combinations have been done for you to show you how you can bring your attributes together to fit the situation.

• Enterprising Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Good Judgement

Start to build your list today by choosing the appropriate language from the profiles that best describe your strengths. This is a guide, only. You can add additional skills by referring to the previous lists and adding other statements that suit you.

The list below shows statements taken from recent advertisements for employment. You could do this activity to build other profiles that describe yourself as a person with:

• Good customer service skills
• An ability to build and maintain effective relationships
• Leadership qualities
• Good communication skills
• Management skills
• An ability to be comfortable within a challenging, demanding, and changing multi-disciplinary environment

If you are ENTERPRISING, you would probably be strong in the following skills. That doesn't mean that the other skills are unimportant.

If you are a PEOPLE PERSON, you would probably be strong in the following skills. That doesn't mean that the other skills are unimportant.

You show GOOD JUDGEMENT (common sense) if you can use your critical thinking skills. This means practicing your problem solving, decision making and creativity skills.

• Critical Thinker - refer to Decision Making and Problem Solving, and Creativity
• Team Player - refer to Teamwork Skills, Communication Skills and Continuous Learning
• Person with Good Management Skills - refer to Communication Skills, Continuous Learning, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Teamwork Skills, Personal Management (Planning and Goal Setting, Time Management, Organizational Skills, Self Esteem and Confidence)
• Person with Good Customer Service Skills - refer to Communication Skills (especially listening skills and body language), Numeracy Skills, Technology Skills, Willingness to Learn, Decision Making and Problem Solving, Interpersonal (refer to People Person Profile), Teamwork (especially empathy and add friendly and outgoing), Personal Ethics, Responsibility and Accountability, Flexibility and Adaptability, Ability to Control and Discipline Yourself.