A common theme of all the people I work with is a) they have a blind spot seeing their own skills and talents and b) how they can use them in other ways, i.e. possible new jobs or different careers to what they have done before. I act as a pair of wing mirrors and compass. 

A skill is defined as: "cleverness at doing a thing, either from practice or a natural gift." Since most people don't think of themselves in terms of the language of skills, "I just do my job" or "it's the way I am", are common responses, it is not surprising that people need support in liberating their talent and especially in seeing new career options for themselves.  We are discouraged from saying we are clever and our specific and unique talents are rarely acknowledged or recognised by others. They may have thought about what we are good at, but not shared this information, so it is worth asking. In employee research, frustration about lack of feedback is a common complaint from employees about their line managers.

Self-awareness of your specific skills and the ability to articulate them, sharing tangible examples of the benefits they bring is crucial in career success, especially when you are competing against a lot of good candidates. For people seeking a new or different career, being explicit in helping others to see how your skills are useful in a related context is a must to convince your potential employer you are up to the task, and not a risk. Self awareness, confidence and the ability to market yourself, plus overcoming natural fears about change enable a new career to be within reach of many.

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1) Get someone to ask you how you do your job and to write down what you say and share their perspective of your skills.  

2) Think about something you do well naturally and write down the specifics using the third person. Practice saying "I am really good at, for example when ...."

3) Analyse the process you use step by step - most people have a process incorporating certain skills but don't see it, as they are too close to themselves.

4) Ask people you work with or live with for feedback about your specific skills and do the same for them.   

5) If you want to fast track your awareness, get a career coach who is trained to see your skills and help you to see opportunities where they are useful that you may be unaware even existed.  

Know anyone at a career crossroads or who needs help marketing their talents? Please  to them.