What are functional skills?

• Problem-solving: A problem-solving mindset is very valuable in the workplace and is an important quality for an employee to have. Problem-solving is also one of the most important functional skills to develop because it can be applied to a variety of jobs and/or situations.

• Creativity: Many jobs and positions require employees to be able to think inside the box, outside the box, and everywhere in between. Having skills as a creative thinker can help you stand out from the competition.

  Employers love creativity because it allows them to come up with new ideas and solve problems in unique ways. Through constructive criticism, you may also see areas of improvement that have not been thought of before.

• Collaboration: This is a skill that is essential for any job. Teamwork and collaborative skills are important to showcase to any potential employer. Both of these skills also imply that you have strong communication skills, which is also important.

  A good communicator will stand out from the crowd because they are able to get their point across clearly and concisely.

• Organization: An organized individual will be able to stay on top of their work and complete tasks on time. This is appealing to an employer because they can count on you to make sure the business runs effectively and efficiently.

Additional functional skills that are worth developing are critical thinking, delegation, and self-awareness. There are many ways to develop your functional skills. You can take classes or workshops, read books or articles, and practice them in your everyday life.

The most important thing is to find something that works for you! If you are someone who likes structure, then classes might be a good option. If not, there are plenty of other ways to learn these skills without having to take courses or workshops.