Once you have decided what tasks the employee is going to do in this job, the next step is to decide what skills the employee needs to do the job well. Generally speaking, there are two sets of skills you will be looking for:

1. Technical skills; and
2. Personal skills.

Technical skills are skills such as keyboarding, knowledge of computer programs, or trades. Personal skills include characteristics which help the employee get along with others, learn new things, perform assigned tasks and be a positive influence at work. Together, technical and personal skills make up employability skills -- the skills employers are looking for.

Click on each title to give you a checklist of skills. Decide which skills are most important in the work you are describing.

Knowledge - These include skills related to communication, thinking and learning.

Personal management skills - These include skills related to attitude, responsibility, and adaptability.

Teamwork skills - These include skills for working together.

Now click on Skills for a sales clerk to look at a sample of what skills a sales clerk in a sporting goods store would need.

Understand and speak the language(s) in which business is conducted

Listen to understand and learn

Read, comprehend and use written materials, including graphs, charts and displays

Write effectively in the language(s) in which business is conducted

Think critically and act logically to evaluate situations, solve problems and make decisions

Understand and solve problems involving mathematics

Use technology, instruments, tools and information systems effectively (here you will want to list any software or equipment the employee will need to know how to use)

Access and apply specialized knowledge from various fields (this can be anything from a truck driver knowing the delivery area to a landscaper knowing what plants will grow best in different places)

Continue to learn for life, learning new methods and ideas for doing work better

Self-esteem and confidence

Honesty, integrity and personal ethics

A positive attitude toward learning, growth and personal health

Initiative, energy and persistence to get the job done

The ability to set goals and priorities in work and personal life

The ability to plan and manage time, money and other resources to achieve goals

Accountability for actions taken

A positive attitude toward change

Recognition of and respect for people's diversity and individual differences

The ability to identify and suggest new ideas to get the job done creatively

Understand and contribute to the organization's goals

Understand and work within the culture of the group

Plan and make decisions with others and support the outcomes

Respect the thoughts and opinions of others in the group

Exercise "give and take" to achieve group results

Seek a team approach as appropriate

Lead when appropriate, mobilizing the team for high performance

Use a cash register

Fit equipment such as skis, skates, bikes, and athletic shoes

Know how to play different sports

Know the equipment and clothing needed for different sports

Know the difference between different equipment for the same sport

Know how to use the equipment

Know why the equipment is better than what other stores are offering

Be able to relate to customers easily

Be able to listen to customers to understand what they need and find a product that meets that need

Be polite all the time with people in the store

Be comfortable with customers and be able to answer their questions without becoming impatient

Be punctual and reliable, showing up for shifts and showing up on time

Work well with other staff, carrying his or her own weight

Keep the store tidy

Be able to find things easily and put things back where they belong. (This matters when you are getting shoeboxes from the back of the store!)