Career Skills Checklist
Mastering essential career skills can help students, parents, and professionals prepare for success in today’s job market. This checklist includes practical tools to build workplace readiness from communication and time management to digital literacy and teamwork. Use it to identify strengths and improve areas for growth.
Career Skills Checklist Content:
A career skills checklist is a tool to help you assess, build, and demonstrate the skills employers look for in nearly every job. These are sometimes called "employability skills" or "transferable skills" because they are valuable across industries.
Core Skills Include:
Communication: Writing emails, speaking clearly, active listening
Teamwork: Collaborating with coworkers, resolving conflict, flexibility
Critical Thinking: Problem-solving, analyzing info, making decisions
Digital Literacy: Using technology, email, spreadsheets, online tools
Time Management: Meeting deadlines, staying organized, prioritizing tasks
Professionalism: Showing up on time, dressing appropriately, being respectful
Adaptability: Learning new tools, adjusting to change, staying positive
Helpful Resources:
Skills Matcher – CareerOneStop – Find careers that match your skills
Youth Skills Checklist – U.S. Department of Labor – Free soft skills workbook
Job Skills Self-Assessment – MyNextMove – Evaluate your interests and strengths
Essential Employability Skills – ACT WorkKeys – Recognized workplace skills test
Quick Tips
Use the Skills Matcher to discover careers that fit your strengths.
Download a printable checklist to track your readiness for college, internships, or jobs.
Encourage teens to practice skills through part-time jobs, volunteering, or clubs.
Professionals can upskill using free online courses on LinkedIn Learning or Coursera.