Do you know what functional skills are?
If not, do not worry – you are not alone.
Many people are unfamiliar with this term, but it is actually very important to understand. Functional skills are basically the skills that bosses love! They are essential for any job, and they can set you apart from the competition.
So, I’ve decided to take an in-depth look at What Are Functional Skills and how to develop them. I will also give examples of the types of functional skills that bosses love to see on resumes!
Contents
What Is A Functional Skill?
A functional skill is a skill that is essential for any job. It is something that you need to be able to do to succeed in your career. Functional skills are often overlooked when people are creating their CVs – but this should not be the case!
You must show off your functional skills on your resume because they will set you apart from the competition. Functional skills are also known as “soft skills” – this means they are not technical abilities like programming or math. Instead, functional skills focus on personal attributes such as communication and teamwork.
Functional Skills: The Basics
Now that you know what functional skills are, it is time to learn how they differ from other types of skills. Functional skills are different because they do not require any specific training or education – anyone can develop them with practice!
Functional Skills: The Benefits
These skills are essential for any worker, regardless of their position. They are the basic skills that you need to succeed in the workforce. There are many benefits to developing your functional skills.
But one of the most important is that it helps you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs. The next time you are applying for a job, try to include some of these skills on your resume!
Functional Skills: Types and Examples
Now that we have covered the basics and benefits of functional skills, let’s look at some examples…
Problem-Solving
This one might seem obvious, but it is important nonetheless! If you have a problem-solving mindset, then this will come across in your work and make you more valuable as an employee. Problem-solving is also one of the most important functional skills to have because it can be applied to any job or situation.
For example, if there has been an accident at work where someone has fallen over and broken their arm, a problem-solving mindset will help you to quickly assess the situation and take appropriate action.
Creativity
Many jobs require creative thinking, and if you have this skill, then you are sure to stand out from the competition! Employers love creativity because it allows them to come up with new ideas and solve problems in unique ways. If you are creative, make sure to showcase this on your resume by including examples of projects or tasks that you’ve done in the past.
Teamwork
This is another essential skill for any job. Teamwork skills involve being able to work well with others and often require good communication skills. Employers love teamwork skills because they show that you can get along with others and work towards a common goal. If you have teamwork skills, make sure to mention this on your resume!
Communication
This might seem like an obvious one, but it is worth mentioning because communication is so important in any job situation. A good communicator will stand out from the crowd as they will be able to get their point across clearly and concisely.
If you are applying for a job that involves speaking or writing, then make sure to include examples of your communication skills on your resume!
Organization
This is another essential skill for any worker. An organized individual will be able to stay on top of their work and complete tasks on time. Employers love organization at work. It helps them to run their business more effectively. If you are good at organizing, make sure to mention this on your resume!
Delegation
This is a skill that is often overlooked in the workplace, but it can be very useful. Delegating tasks allows people who are better suited to do certain jobs than others to take care of them instead. Employers love delegation because it helps them run their business more efficiently by assigning tasks according to each employee’s strengths and weaknesses.
Time Management
This is another essential skill for any worker. Time management skills involve being able to stay organized and complete tasks on time. Employers love employees who have good time management because they can be relied upon to get things done. If you have time management skills, make sure to mention them on your resume!
Meta-Skills: The Basics
Now that you know about functional skills and the different types of skills that bosses love, it’s time to learn about meta-skills. Meta-skills are basically umbrella terms for a range of different skills. They’re called ‘meta’ because they encompass a number of different skills – think of them as the ‘master’ skills that you need to succeed in the workplace.
There are many different meta-skills, but some of the most important ones include:
Critical Thinking
This is a skill that is essential for any job. Critical thinking involves being able to think logically and rationally about a situation. Employers love critical thinkers because they can be relied on to think logically and make sound decisions.
Resilience
This is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep going. It is a very important skill to have, especially in the workplace where things don’t always go according to plan.
Self-Awareness
This is the ability to be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the things that motivate you. Employers love self-awareness because it allows them to put employees in positions where they will be most successful.
Leadership
This is the ability to lead a team or group of people towards a common goal. Employers love leadership skills because they show that you’re capable of taking charge and getting things done.
So, there you have it – the basics of functional skills and meta-skills. Now that you know what these are, it is time to put them into practice and start impressing employers with your amazing skills!
How Can I Develop My Functional Skills?
There are many ways to develop your functional skills. You can take classes or workshops, read books or articles, and practice them in your everyday life. The most important thing is to find something that works for you!
If you are someone who likes structure, then classes might be a good option. If not, there are plenty of other ways to learn these skills without having to take courses or workshops.
Tips to improve your skills
- Read about topics online that can help you develop the knowledge needed for each skill set.
- Make sure that when talking with others at work, school, etc… you are using proper grammar as well as eye contact while speaking. This will help improve communication skills too!
- You could even watch movies where characters talk over one another, saying different things – this would reinforce how important listening really is during conversations, so we do not miss important details!
- Problem-solving skills can be improved by doing puzzles, playing strategy games, or even reading mystery novels.
- For organizational skills, try using a planner or organizing your desk/workspace.
- For time management skills, set some goals and use a timer to help you stay on track.
There are many different ways to improve your functional skills – it just takes a little bit of creativity and effort!
What Are Functional Skills To Put On Your Resume?
Now that we know what functional skills are, let’s take a look at the types of functional skills that bosses love to see on resumes.
Communication skills
A great communicator is someone who can speak and write effectively in a way that’s clear for others to understand. They are also good listeners who pay attention during conversations, so they do not miss important details.
Problem-solving
Being able to think critically about problems to find solutions. A good problem solver must be able to identify the main issues, then brainstorm potential solutions before deciding on one that works best for everyone involved.
They also have strong analytical thinking abilities and are great at analyzing information from different angles or perspectives as well!
Time management
Being able to plan and organize tasks in a way that allows them to be completed on time. A worker with good time management skills is typically very efficient and can stay on track even when working under tight deadlines. They are also great at multitasking, which comes in handy when multiple tasks need to be completed simultaneously!
Organizational skills
Being able to prioritize tasks and stay on top of them until they are done. A person with these types of functional skills is often well-organized, which means that their workspace looks neat and tidy because everything has its own place where it belongs instead of just sitting around wherever you might find it lying around the house.
Creativity
A creative worker often sees things from a different perspective and comes up with ideas by thinking outside the box. They are also good at problem-solving, as they’re able to think of new ways to solve old problems.
And finally, they have strong communication skills because they can effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas with others for them to understand what’s going on too!
How To Include Functional Skills On Your CV?
How do you go about including them in your CV? The best way is to think of a section called “Skills” or “Experience” and then list the different skill sets that you have. Under each skill set, list examples of how you’ve used those skills in the past.
- For example, if you have strong communication skills, you might list things like “Public Speaking” and “Written Communication.” Under each of those headings, you could then list examples of times when you’ve spoken in front of a group or written something that was published publicly.
- If you have problem-solving skills, you could list “Critical Thinking” and “Analytical Thinking.” Under every headings, you could then list examples of times when you’ve had to solve a difficult problem or analyzed data in order to come up with a solution.
- The key is to be specific and provide concrete examples that illustrate how you have used your skills in the past. This will help hiring managers to see that you have the relevant skills that they’re looking for and increase your chances of getting hired!
More Advice And Info On Resume Writing!
Your functional skills are just the beginning of what you need to make your resume stand out from the crowd!
So, check out my in-depth guides, starting with my Most Important Skills To Put On A Resume, of course! Next is my How To List References On A Resume, the Hobbies Interests To Put On Resume, or How To List Education On A Resume, and finally, my How To List References On A Resume.
I’ve also put together our Achievements To List On Your Resume, How To Address A Cover Letter, or what about our Motivation Letter Writing Guide, as well as our Job Titles On Resume, along with How To Write A Letter of Interest in 2023.
If you’d like to do some online reading, then the Resume Format Guide or the Resume Formats book is just for you, or perhaps you’d like Resume Writing: 10 Ridiculously Simple Tips, and my top choice, CVs, Resumes, and LinkedIn: A Guide to Professional English all available today.
Final Thoughts
Functional skills are important to have, no matter what job you are applying for.
Now that you know all about functional skills, you can highlight the different skill sets that you have and provide specific examples of how you have used them in the past. By doing this, you will make it easy for hiring managers to see that you are a great fit for the job!
So do not be afraid to list your functional skills on your CV – they could just land you the job of your dreams!
All the very best in improving your Functional Skills for the future!