WCIYP (How To Deal With Any Handicaps You Have)

As you venture on the job-hunting process, you may come to the realization that you lack the ability to perform certain skills. According to What Color Is Your Parachute, the lack of such skills are considered to be disabilities. Hence, it is critical to determine what skills you possess and articulate them to potential employers. The book goes on to argue that everyone is handicapped in some sense, as no one person can perform all tasks or skills in the world. A key distinction between owning a skill or failing to have the ability to perform it is the understanding how the perspective of a job-hunter differs than that of an employer. Often, job-hunters do not have the ability to carry out some skills. Although this is common among many individuals, employers are often prejudice if someone falls into a certain category.

For example, the book credits employers for falling subject to the following prejudices regarding job-hunters:

1.) Out Of Work Too Long

2.) Age

3.) Returning Veterans

4.) Ex-Offenders

5.) Former Patients

6.) Others

Although some of the prejudices listed above could clearly limit someone from earning a job, it is arguable that employers are simply looking out for the sake of their company. Still, it is important to understand the difference between a disability and prejudice in order to deal with any struggles you might encounter in the job-hunting journey.

One way to determine what you can or cannot do is to look at a list of transferable skills, as it will allow you to pinpoint what you are capable of. In fact, the following image offers 246 skills that employers often look for in an applicant. I strongly recommend sifting through the list and noting the skills that you believe you own. I actually completed the exercise myself and found it surprisingly rewarding, since I was able to list and articulate my transferable skills upon completion.

Here then, is the aforementioned list that any job-hunter should consider glancing at: