are skills and abilities the same
What is a Competency. A cluster of related abilities, commitments, knowledge, and skills that enable a person (or an organization) to act effectively in a job or situation. Competencies refer to skills or knowledge that lead to superior performance. A competency is more than just knowledge and skills. Skills are abilities! For example, an athlete can have the ability to run for 20 rounds around the oval for as short as 30 minutes. This exceptional ability is then considered to be one of the athlete’s skills. It is therefore something that can be learned and acquired through training for example. Information Technology positions require soft skills such as creativity and the ability to present ideas and solutions to individuals as well as groups. Strong communications skills, both written and oral are an important asset in virtually any field, at every level. Personal skills are critical to almost any job. Someone with strong personal skills generally works well with employers, employees, colleagues, clients, and vendors. They can communicate ideas clearly, and listen well to others. Someone with strong person skills also typically has a positive attitude in the workplace. How about one’s expertise in computer programming, is that a skill or is it more likely an ability? Yes, skills and abilities can be problematic for some because several people don’t know if a certain attribute they have is an ability or a skill. These terms seem the same but they really are different from each other. When you are seeking employment, your soft skills can be as important as the hard skills that are required to achieve success on the job. 1  Soft skills are much more difficult to define and measure – they are the interpersonal or “people” skills that help you to successfully interact with others in the workplace. The same is true when you're interviewing. Review the job posting, and be prepared to give specific examples of the skills you have (both hard and soft) that are a match for the job requirements. Also be sure to present your soft skills to the hiring manager during interviews. A measurable pattern of knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviours, and other characteristics that an individual needs to perform work roles or occupational functions successfully. Competencies specify the how (as opposed to the what) of performing job tasks, or what the person needs to do the job successfully. Knowledge can be transferred from one person to another or it can be self acquired through observation and study. Skills, however, refer to the ability to apply knowledge to specific situations. Skills are developed through practice, through a combination of sensory input and output. As an example, social skills are developed through interaction with people by observing, listening, and speaking with them. In the description of your work history, you might want to use some of these words. Secondly, you can use these in your cover letter. In the body of your letter, you can mention one or two of these skills, and give a specific example of a time when you demonstrated those skills at work.
Yes, these terms seem the same but they really are different from each other.