Competencies: What they are, why they matter and how to show them
Competencies are kind of the common thread throughout your career. It’s not just about what you can do (skills) or who you are (personality), it’s really about the mix of knowledge, behavior, and abilities you use to do your job well. Employers look at them because they paint a much clearer picture than your diplomas or work experience alone. Think of it this way: you can have ten years of experience, but if you can’t work well with others or plan your tasks properly, it’s going to be tricky. Competencies show how you approach things, how you respond to situations, and what others can expect from you. A diploma alone doesn’t show that.
And one more thing: competencies aren’t set in stone. You can develop them, strengthen them, and adapt them to different situations. That’s good to know if you’re wondering whether you have “enough” competencies (spoiler: you definitely have more than you think).
Types of Competencies
Competencies can roughly be grouped into a few main categories and it helps to bring some order to the chaos:
Personal competencies: these say something about your inner drive things like self-reflection, resilience, or perseverance.
Social competencies: how you interact with others. Think about competencies like teamwork, leadership, communication.
Professional competencies: knowledge and expertise specific to your field, such as analytical ability, technical know-how, or problem-solving.
Self-management competencies: how you organize your own work, like planning, prioritizing, staying flexible.
Think of this as a framework. Every core competency you come across fits somewhere within these categories. But okay, the categories alone aren’t that helpful. What really matters is why employers care about them and which ones they value most.
Why Employers Value Competencies So Much
Let’s be honest: diplomas and work experience matter, but employers know they’re not the whole story. Competencies reveal whether you fit into a team, how you solve problems, and how you handle pressure. That’s why recruiters and hiring managers love asking about them. You’ll see them pop up in job descriptions (“we’re looking for someone who’s results-driven and communicatively strong”) or in interviews (“can you give an example of a time you had to be flexible?”).
So no, competencies aren’t just a buzzword. They’re the lens through which an employer views your CV and your application.
Examples of Common Competencies
There are tons of competencies out there, but some show up again and again in job ads. The list below includes 30 of the most common ones we encounter. We’ll be adding more detailed explanations for each just click the one you’re curious about (and if the page isn’t live yet, hang tight; we’re working on it :) ).
Communication skills: listening well, explaining clearly, and tailoring your message to your audience.
Results orientation: not just staying busy, but actually finishing things and achieving results.
Flexibility: handling change without stressing out.
Analytical thinking: understanding information and drawing smart conclusions.
Customer focus: knowing what your client or user needs and responding to it.
Teamwork: contributing to a team instead of just doing your own thing.
Problem-solving: coming up with creative and practical solutions.
Decisiveness: making choices, even under pressure.
Leadership: guiding, motivating, and bringing out the best in others.
Organizational skills: planning, structuring, and keeping an overview.
Initiative: spotting opportunities and taking action without being asked.
Perseverance: not giving up too soon, even when it’s tough.
Integrity: acting honestly and reliably doing what you say.
Stress tolerance: staying calm and effective under pressure.
Creativity: coming up with new ideas and innovative solutions.
Empathy: understanding and relating to others’ feelings or perspectives.
Self-development: being open to learning and improving yourself.
Independence: taking ownership and handling tasks on your own.
Accuracy: working carefully with attention to detail.
Sense of responsibility: showing ownership and taking your work seriously.
Networking: building and maintaining useful relationships.
Advisory skills: offering well-founded, thoughtful advice to others.
Persuasiveness: clearly and convincingly presenting your viewpoint.
Commercial awareness: spotting opportunities to create value or revenue.
Adaptability: easily adjusting to new situations or environments.
Critical thinking: assessing information and situations thoughtfully and logically.
Listening skills: actively and attentively hearing what others are saying.
Planning and prioritizing: managing your time and resources effectively.
Motivating others: inspiring and energizing the people around you.
Digital literacy: using digital tools and systems effectively.
Use this overview to reflect on your own CV and motivation letter. Which competencies suit you best? Which ones do you want to highlight more? And which could use a bit of work? That’s worth thinking about before your next interview.
Competencies and Job Interviews: STARR in Action
Chances are, you’ll get questions that directly target your competencies during an interview. These are called competency-based questions. Examples include: “Tell me about a time you had to resolve a conflict” or “Can you give an example of when you took initiative?”
Recruiters often use the STARR method to guide this. STARR stands. Following this structure helps make your story concrete and convincing. It’s also a great way to show that you know how to apply your competencies in real life. The method itself isn’t complicated, but using it well does take some practice.
Ready to Get Started?
Competencies aren’t just words in a job ad or bullet points on your CV; they tell the story of who you are as a professional, how you work, and what others can expect from you. Employers use them to assess whether you’re a good fit, and you can use them to show that you’re more than just your experience or education.
This article is meant as a starting point. In our other blogs, we’ll dive deeper into specific competencies: what they mean, how to develop them, and how to demonstrate them effectively in job applications. Still struggling to bring them to life on your CV? Book a free CV scan or check out our training sessions and we’ll tackle it together.
