Skills Vs. Competencies And Why You Should Know The Difference

The use of terminologies in the world of work is not uncommon. We often find ourselves in the midst of technical and work-related terms that become imperative for us to know about and understand. The words ‘skills’ and ‘competencies’ are two such terms that are used quite prominently and may seem similar but cannot be used interchangeably. Let’s understand a little more about the two and why it’s important to know the difference.

SKILLS: Skills refer to a particular set of abilities you acquire in order to complete a certain operation/procedure or task. They are specific in nature and are learned either via training or one’s experience. There are various categories of skills that can be observed within and outside the world of work. They are classified on the basis of functionality, personal traits, or knowledge one gains. At work, skills are commonly classified into hard or teachable skills, and soft or interpersonal skills.?

COMPETENCIES: Competency is a broader concept that oftentimes involves the presence of skills along with other factors that determines how a person approaches a situation or task at hand. It comprises factors such as knowledge, behaviour, attitude, perception, and approach in order to tackle a situation at a more holistic level. When we look at the concept of competency, we are required to understand the manner in which an individual uses their resources to achieve a certain goal and not just a singular task as is the case while defining skills.?

For example: An IT Recruiter

Skill: An IT Recruiter will require a host of skills such as communication, technical, data, and organizational skills to name a few.

Competency: An IT Recruiter should also be competent in relationship building, marketing, mobilizing human resources, among others in order to be a successful and well-remembered recruiter.

While both these terms are very similar to each other, a keen understanding of their differences will help professionals go that extra mile in making informed choices especially where recruitment is concerned.