top of page

Factor 4: Your Competencies

Category: Your Competencies

Competencies are the core skills and behaviors you excel at performing. Identifying key competencies such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, or time management allows you to target roles where you can succeed and continue developing.

 

Your competencies are the foundation for career advancement and daily work effectiveness.

Competencies (5).png

Why Competencies Matter

​Using competency-based assessment tests—and actively developing competencies—improves business outcomes, here's just a small selection of examples:

​

1. Predicts Performance

Competency assessments align with real job skills, giving a more accurate indicator of future business success—companies see a 25% increase in profit by actively measuring and developing competencies (McKinsey).

​

2. Ensures Consistency

A structured competency framework reduces bias and ensures fairer, more reliable hiring and promotion processes—Deloitte found a 14% increase in job satisfaction after switching to continuous, competency-based feedback.

​

3. Drives Development

Assessments highlight skill gaps and guide tailored learning—IBM saw a 30% increase in employee engagement with personalized, competency-based assessment dashboards, boosting workforce agility.

​

4. Aligns Talent with Strategy

Competency tracking ensures the right skills for future growth—Gallup reports organizations with strong assessment systems see a 25% reduction in turnover and up to 60% higher engagement.

​

5. Increases Productivity

Switching from annual reviews to real-time, competency-based assessment led to a 30% productivity boost at Adobe Systems within a year

How to identify competencies

Employers often use competency-based interviewing when assessing candidates, but it’s not always applied well, rarely done consistently, and the findings are not always retained. The principle is that past behaviour predicts future success—with questions such as, “Can you tell me about a time when you…?”

​

Competencies can also be assessed at interview by asking candidates to explain or present how they would approach a job, project, or task.

​

Competency assessment tests are less common than personality tests. As noted in the Factor 3: Your Personality Type section, personality profiles measure behavioural tendencies, while competency tests take a more practical angle—evaluating the specific skills and abilities needed for job performance.

​

Popular competency tests assess:

  • Verbal reasoning

  • Numerical reasoning

  • Inductive reasoning (ability to spot patterns and solve problems in new situations)

  • Situational judgement

  • Critical reasoning

  • Problem solving

  • Initiative and accountability

  • Project management

  • Leadership

  • Emotional intelligence

What next?

Jot Down In Your Note Taking App
What Are Your Competencies?

  • Record your key competencies in your note-taking app.

  • List your top five competencies (e.g., communication, problem-solving, teamwork).

  • Are there competencies you wish to strengthen?

  • How well do your competencies align with the career choices that you have made, and your plans going forward?

  • You may wish to also note down, any areas that you think you excel in - for example persistence.

​

If you’ve not taken a personality test, think about what your top traits might be. The most widely used personality models are from SHL, Thomson, Hogan, and Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment.

​​​​

Haven’t taken one before? You can try a free test online.

Ready to proceed to the next of the 12 Factors?

Your Strengths
Understanding which competencies are most valued in your target roles allows you to focus your development effectively.

Reflect on...

  • Which of your competencies are most in-demand in your desired industry?

  • Are there competencies that differentiate you in the market?

  • How do your skills compare to job requirements for positions you aspire to?

​

Action Steps:

  • List and validate your top five competencies against market demand.

  • Pursue credentials that enhance your most valuable competencies.

  • Position competencies in your LinkedIn summary for professional branding.

Additional reading...
 

Aligning Competencies
For Success
 

With job types, into different industries and to increase performance
Working at home
bottom of page