Lesson 3 — Skills and Strengths for Work

Learning Objective

We will study work skills and strengths so I can identify supporting details in career texts to recognize skills I already have by matching skills to job examples.

Sources

U.S. Department of Labor. CareerOneStop: Skills and Strengths in Career Planning. (CareerOneStop)
O*NET Resource Center. Transferable Skills and Occupational Requirements. (O*NET)
Indeed Career Guide. How to Identify Your Strengths for Career Success. (Indeed Career Guide)

Section 1 — Understanding Work Skills

Work skills are abilities people use to complete tasks on a job. Employers look for workers who can identify (find) what they do well. These abilities are called strength (strong skill) areas. Some skills involve working with others, while some involve solving problems. Reading career texts helps students analyze (study closely) job expectations and notice each detail (small fact) about required skills. When students understand these details, they can see how their own abilities fit real work. Career research shows that knowing your strengths improves job success and confidence.¹ This section helps students learn to recognize skills listed in career descriptions and prepare to connect them to personal abilities.

Activity 1: Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentences by filling in the blanks with the correct words.

1. Work skills are people use to complete tasks on a job.

2. Employers look for workers who can identify what they do .

3. Reading career texts helps students job expectations.

4. Which of these is a complete sentence (not a fragment)?

Because employers look for workers with skills. Employers look for workers with skills. Workers with skills that employers need. When employers look for workers.

Section 2 — Matching Skills to Careers

Career texts often give an example (sample) of job duties. Students can match (pair) their skills to these duties. For instance, a teacher needs communication skills, while a mechanic needs problem-solving skills. Some abilities are similar (almost same) across many careers. Students should look for words that support (help) understanding of job tasks, such as "organize," "repair," or "guide." Research on career readiness shows that recognizing transferable skills helps people move between jobs more easily.² By practicing how to match skills to job examples, students learn to see where they already fit in the workplace.

Activity 2: Ordering

Put the steps in the correct order for matching skills to careers. Drag the items to reorder them.

1 Match your skills to job duties
2 Read career texts with job duty examples
3 See where you fit in the workplace
4 Look for words that support understanding

Which of these is a sentence fragment (incomplete sentence)?

A teacher needs communication skills. While a mechanic needs problem-solving skills. Some abilities are similar across careers. Students can match their skills to job duties.