Madhav Malhotra
In this blog, we look at how every task, whether in a corporate job or at home, requires a multi-skill approach to be truly successful.
What does a "Multi-Skill Approach" mean?
We at QurioSkill hypothesize that no work exists in isolation. Every task requires multiple skills working in harmony. Let’s look at a relatable example: Cooking.
To prepare a great meal, a cook requires a blend of distinct skills:
- Analytical Thinking: Analyzing available ingredients and deciding how to combine them for the best result.
- Planning: Organizing the process logically, knowing what to chop first, when to heat the pan, and how to time the serving.
- Technical Execution (Cutting/Frying): The hard skills required to physically chop, dice, and sauté ingredients effectively.
The above example is an illustration for a task which probably a lot of people do in their everyday lives and requires a bunch of different skills applied in a logical way to get the final output.
How does this relate to jobs for job-seekers?
Companies hire employees to solve problems. However, the skills listed on a job description are rarely the only ones required to thrive in the role. We can break this down into two categories:
- Minimum Qualifying Skills: These are the barrier to entry skills. A company expects you to have these just to perform the basic functions of the job. For example, for an Executive Assistant, this includes digital literacy, typing speed, and calendar management.
- Skills needed to be successful: Companies often struggle to articulate these in job descriptions, but they are crucial for long-term success. For example that same Executive Assistant, success requires Emotional Intelligence to draft sensitive emails and negotiate with stakeholders.
Job listings usually focus on the Minimum Qualifying Skills, but the interview process focuses on the Skills Needed to be Successful. Recruiters use behavioral questions and case studies to see if you can apply your technical knowledge within a real-world context.
It is because of this multi skill nature of the job world that we at QurioSkill try and do a mix of digital and professional skills in our workshops, focusing on enabling people in doing their jobs successfully.