Skill meaning in English
Learn how to use Skill correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
a skill: a talent, an ability, a quality
Success depends on skill and hard work.
Skills required for this job: efficiency, autonomy and a sense of humor.
skilled: competent, expert, talented, capable
He is a skilled carpenter. He is a good and experienced carpenter.
Pronunciation examples
UK: My many skills include reciting the alphabet backwards.
US: Horatio is highly skilled with a machete.
Examples
- "Circus skills"
- "To become a manager, you generally demonstrate experience, aptitude and good leadership skills."
- "Here in Electric Ladyland we are dedicated to the art of satisfaction, and we are skilled in bringing enjoyment to all."
- "When Bruno witnessed Horatio's skill and his spectacular organ, he was inspired."
- "Joining us is a very special guest, who will test THX-1134's sales skills."
- "Over the course of my career, I have developed an array of skills which I am confident you will find directly applicable to the needs of your CEO."
- "Everyone is invited to exhibit their dodgeball skills at a special training session."
- "Basic computer skills necessary."
- "I acquired telephone, customer service, computer and organizational skills and improved my English by speaking and writing daily."
- "Narrator : Bruno eventually perfected his skills of interpretation until he was ready to take on the ultimate challenge: the dolphin."
- "I am comfortable in high-pressure situations, and I work well both independently and within a team. In addition to my secretarial and research skills, I am an experienced event planner, having arranged Bingo Night for three consecutive years, one of the government's most popular evenings."
- "With a lovely head like yours, I mean with your unique skills and experience, you could be earning a seven-figure salary!"
- "COMPUTER SKILLS"
- "He spent his youth perfecting his warrior and team leadership skills."
- "Jean : I see this not only as an opportunity to develop my skills in information systems, but to experience life in a real American corporation."
Exercise 1
Delavigne's competitors desire Horatio's .
Delavigne's competitors desire Horatio's skills.
skills: Polly says that Horatio's "fragrances are famous all over the world, and his talents are envied by all of our competitors". Another word for "talent" is "skill", for example: I have excellent writing skills and I would like to be a journalist.
assets: Polly says that Horatio is himself an "asset" for the Delavigne Corp. If someone desired Horatio's "assets", that would mean that they wanted Horatio's money. In accounting terms, an "asset" is a valuable item owned by a company.
protective masks: This is simply incorrect. Polly suggests that Warbuckle wear a protective mask before he enters the laboratory, but she is not expressing that Delavigne's competitors desire Horatio's protective masks.
Exercise 2
There are five sections in Trey's CV: OBJECTIVE, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, SKILLS, and INTERESTS.
In the blanks below, type in the name of appropriate section based on their descriptions.
The section gives information about Trey's abilities.
The section gives information about Trey's academic background.
The section gives information about Trey's professional history.
The section gives information about Trey's hobbies.
The section gives information about Trey's main career goal.
In the blanks below, type in the name of appropriate section based on their descriptions.
The section gives information about Trey's abilities.
The section gives information about Trey's academic background.
The section gives information about Trey's professional history.
The section gives information about Trey's hobbies.
The section gives information about Trey's main career goal.
There are five sections in Trey's CV: OBJECTIVE, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, SKILLS, and INTERESTS.
In the blanks below, type in the name of appropriate section based on their descriptions.
The SKILLS 1 section gives information about Trey's abilities.
The EDUCATION 2 section gives information about Trey's academic background.
The EXPERIENCE 3 section gives information about Trey's professional history.
The INTERESTS 4 section gives information about Trey's hobbies.
The OBJECTIVE 5 section gives information about Trey's main career goal.
In the blanks below, type in the name of appropriate section based on their descriptions.
The SKILLS 1 section gives information about Trey's abilities.
The EDUCATION 2 section gives information about Trey's academic background.
The EXPERIENCE 3 section gives information about Trey's professional history.
The INTERESTS 4 section gives information about Trey's hobbies.
The OBJECTIVE 5 section gives information about Trey's main career goal.
1 SKILLS: The term "skills" describes specific abilities or talents that a person possesses. This section of a resumé usually gives further information about an individual's abilities that are not specifically related to work experience. One's skills do not necessarily relate to the job, for example: being "certified in CPR" does not relate necessarily to the requirements of a cosmetics company. An "ability" is synonymous with a "skill".
2 EDUCATION: The term "education" describes the level of learning that a person has achieved. This section of a resumé gives exact information about a person's academic background: names of institutions; dates attended; and degrees, qualifications, or diplomas received.
3 EXPERIENCE: The term "experience" describes the various things that have happened in a person's life. This section of a resumé gives exact information about where a person has worked, the position or title held, the dates there, and specific responsibilities and duties. This section is used to give the past history of the candidate.
4 INTERESTS: The term "interests" describes the various things that a person likes to do in their free time. This section of a resumé provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
5 OBJECTIVE: The term "objective" describes something which someone is working towards. This section of a resumé clearly states the professional goal or aim that someone is trying to achieve. "Goal" and "objective" are synonymous in this context.
Exercise 3
I am a word which describes a talent, ability or competence. I start with the letter "S", and can be found in the text you just read!!
"The candidate's in accounting made a strong impression upon us."
"The candidate's in accounting made a strong impression upon us."
I am a word which describes a talent, ability or competence. I start with the letter "S", and can be found in the text you just read!!
"The candidate's skill in accounting made a strong impression upon us."
"The candidate's skill in accounting made a strong impression upon us."
skill: A "skill" is a talent, strength or ability. For example: Her language skills are impressive. She speaks over thirteen languages including Esperanto AND Klingon. In this text, we read about Horatio's skill at smelling. Note that "skills" is generally followed by the preposition "at" or "in" when specifying what kind of skills someone possesses: His skills in martial arts, Their skills at hunting...
Exercise 4
Imagine that you are at a job interview. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from the list below. They were all used in the audio just heard, but not all are used in the exercise.
skills | realize | head | in charge | grow | varied | opportunity
HR director: Could you describe your current position at Acme Plastics and Rubbers?
You: I have diverse responsibilities. My work is .
HR director: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
You: One day I hope to run my own business. I see myself of a small company that creates shoe laces.
HR director: So, you wish to be the of the company? That's a lot of responsibility!
You: Yes, but I believe I have the necessary talents to do the job.
HR director: What makes you think you're qualified to work here in the United States Government?
You: I have all the necessary for this position: I am honest, reliable and accountable for my actions.
HR: Sorry but the government isn't interested in candidates with that profile.
skills | realize | head | in charge | grow | varied | opportunity
HR director: Could you describe your current position at Acme Plastics and Rubbers?
You: I have diverse responsibilities. My work is .
HR director: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
You: One day I hope to run my own business. I see myself of a small company that creates shoe laces.
HR director: So, you wish to be the of the company? That's a lot of responsibility!
You: Yes, but I believe I have the necessary talents to do the job.
HR director: What makes you think you're qualified to work here in the United States Government?
You: I have all the necessary for this position: I am honest, reliable and accountable for my actions.
HR: Sorry but the government isn't interested in candidates with that profile.
Imagine that you are at a job interview. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from the list below. They were all used in the audio just heard, but not all are used in the exercise.
skills | realize | head | in charge | grow | varied | opportunity
HR director: Could you describe your current position at Acme Plastics and Rubbers?
You: I have diverse responsibilities. My work is varied 1.
HR director: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
You: One day I hope to run my own business. I see myself in charge 2 of a small company that creates shoe laces.
HR director: So, you wish to be the head 3 of the company? That's a lot of responsibility!
You: Yes, but I believe I have the necessary talents to do the job.
HR director: What makes you think you're qualified to work here in the United States Government?
You: I have all the skills 4 necessary for this position: I am honest, reliable and accountable for my actions.
HR: Sorry but the government isn't interested in candidates with that profile.
skills | realize | head | in charge | grow | varied | opportunity
HR director: Could you describe your current position at Acme Plastics and Rubbers?
You: I have diverse responsibilities. My work is varied 1.
HR director: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
You: One day I hope to run my own business. I see myself in charge 2 of a small company that creates shoe laces.
HR director: So, you wish to be the head 3 of the company? That's a lot of responsibility!
You: Yes, but I believe I have the necessary talents to do the job.
HR director: What makes you think you're qualified to work here in the United States Government?
You: I have all the skills 4 necessary for this position: I am honest, reliable and accountable for my actions.
HR: Sorry but the government isn't interested in candidates with that profile.
1 varied: "Varied" is synonymous with "diverse" or "different" in this context. Example: My interests are varied, I like everything from apple pie to sushi.
2 in charge: "(To be) in charge (of a project)" is to manage it or to be responsible for it. One can also be "in charge" of a business or company, which involves directing or leading it, which might correspond to the position of president or manager.
3 head: The "head" of a company is generally its director or manager. Literally, the term refers to the part of the body used for thinking!
4 skills: The term "skills" describes specific abilities or talents that a person possesses. They might also be described as "abilities" or "talents".
Exercise 5
Luna DeLune opens the CV attachment and starts to read. Help her by finding the correct heading for each section.
Paul McCarthy
Date of Birth: 7 November 1941
5, Mersey Lane, Mull of Cara, Scotland, PA28 6NX
E-mail: Paul_28_IF@hotmale.com
T: 0044 (0) 1631 566122
Accomplished singer/songwriter seeks to work in an accounts department.
• Contributed to the cultural explosion of the sixties.
• Designed Exsmell spreadsheets to keep track of my personal fortune.
• Coordinated the talents of band personnel (Jon, Randi and Gringo).
• Negotiating contracts with record labels.
• Working as part of a team to tight deadlines.
• Proficient user of MS Windows, MS word and Hofner Bass.
1975-present Managing Director McCarthy Corp.
1964-1971 Team Leader (The Meatles).
1960-1964 BA in Economics, University of Liverpool.
Campaigning for the environment, counting money.
Sir Martin Bleets (Music Producer), 89 Gray Street, London NW16 5BL
Jane Thrasher (Television presenter), 5 the Willows, SUSSEX SU18 5GK
Paul McCarthy
Date of Birth: 7 November 1941
5, Mersey Lane, Mull of Cara, Scotland, PA28 6NX
E-mail: Paul_28_IF@hotmale.com
T: 0044 (0) 1631 566122
Accomplished singer/songwriter seeks to work in an accounts department.
• Contributed to the cultural explosion of the sixties.
• Designed Exsmell spreadsheets to keep track of my personal fortune.
• Coordinated the talents of band personnel (Jon, Randi and Gringo).
• Negotiating contracts with record labels.
• Working as part of a team to tight deadlines.
• Proficient user of MS Windows, MS word and Hofner Bass.
1975-present Managing Director McCarthy Corp.
1964-1971 Team Leader (The Meatles).
1960-1964 BA in Economics, University of Liverpool.
Campaigning for the environment, counting money.
Sir Martin Bleets (Music Producer), 89 Gray Street, London NW16 5BL
Jane Thrasher (Television presenter), 5 the Willows, SUSSEX SU18 5GK
Luna DeLune opens the CV attachment and starts to read. Help her by finding the correct heading for each section.
Paul McCarthy
Date of Birth: 7 November 1941
5, Mersey Lane, Mull of Cara, Scotland, PA28 6NX
E-mail: Paul_28_IF@hotmale.com
T: 0044 (0) 1631 566122
Objective: 1
Accomplished singer/songwriter seeks to work in an accounts department.
Achievements: 2
• Contributed to the cultural explosion of the sixties.
• Designed Exsmell spreadsheets to keep track of my personal fortune.
• Coordinated the talents of band personnel (Jon, Randi and Gringo).
Special skills: 3
• Negotiating contracts with record labels.
• Working as part of a team to tight deadlines.
• Proficient user of MS Windows, MS word and Hofner Bass.
Experience: 4
1975-present Managing Director McCarthy Corp.
1964-1971 Team Leader (The Meatles).
Education: 5
1960-1964 BA in Economics, University of Liverpool.
Interests: 6
Campaigning for the environment, counting money.
Referees: 7
Sir Martin Bleets (Music Producer), 89 Gray Street, London NW16 5BL
Jane Thrasher (Television presenter), 5 the Willows, SUSSEX SU18 5GK
Paul McCarthy
Date of Birth: 7 November 1941
5, Mersey Lane, Mull of Cara, Scotland, PA28 6NX
E-mail: Paul_28_IF@hotmale.com
T: 0044 (0) 1631 566122
Objective: 1
Accomplished singer/songwriter seeks to work in an accounts department.
Achievements: 2
• Contributed to the cultural explosion of the sixties.
• Designed Exsmell spreadsheets to keep track of my personal fortune.
• Coordinated the talents of band personnel (Jon, Randi and Gringo).
Special skills: 3
• Negotiating contracts with record labels.
• Working as part of a team to tight deadlines.
• Proficient user of MS Windows, MS word and Hofner Bass.
Experience: 4
1975-present Managing Director McCarthy Corp.
1964-1971 Team Leader (The Meatles).
Education: 5
1960-1964 BA in Economics, University of Liverpool.
Interests: 6
Campaigning for the environment, counting money.
Referees: 7
Sir Martin Bleets (Music Producer), 89 Gray Street, London NW16 5BL
Jane Thrasher (Television presenter), 5 the Willows, SUSSEX SU18 5GK
1 Objective:: The "Objective" is a basic summary designed to encourage a prospective employer to read the CV in full. It usually states job title, key skills and experience and what the candidate is looking for. Note: Paul McCarthy's "Objective" is not ideal! A better accounting profile might read: "Experienced accountant with proven abilities in preparing invoices and financial reports. Now seeking senior position in customer-focused accounts department." Note: This section could also be entitled "profile".
1 Achievements:: This is not the best choice here. "Achievements" are "accomplishments" or "big successes" designed to impress an HR manager.
1 Special skills:: This is not the best choice here. A profile may briefly mention skills, but only as a part of other key information that provides a general overview of an individual.
1 Experience:: This is not the best choice here. The "Experience" section usually provides a summary of a candidate's employment history.
1 Education:: This is not the best choice here. The "Education" section usually lists academic qualifications.
1 Interests: This is not the best choice here. The "Interests" section of a CV provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
1 Referees:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Referee" section usually includes the names of people (former bosses for example) who can comment on a candidate's skills and experience.
2 Achievements:: The term "achievements" means "accomplishments". In this section of the CV, a candidate tries to impress a prospective employer by listing their main successes. Luna may have been more impressed if Paul had written: Presented a seminar at the Royal Institute of Chartered Accountants Conference 2004; Trained 40 senior bank managers in new credit control application; Implemented new accounting procedures that increased efficiency by 50 percent.
2 Objective:: This heading doesn't make sense here. The "Objective" section briefly summarizes the job candidate and their career goals.
2 Special skills:: This heading doesn't make sense here. The "Special skills" section usually lists key skills and abilities.
2 Experience:: This isn't the best choice. An "experience" section usually shows exact dates and gives an idea of career progression.
2 Education:: This isn't the best choice. A "qualifications" section presents an individual's academic background, not professional "highlights".
2 Interests:: This is not the best choice here. The "Interests" section of a CV provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
2 Referees:: This heading doesn't make sense here. The "Referee" section usually includes the names of people (former bosses for example) who can comment on a candidate's skills and experience.
3 Special skills:: The term "special skills" describes specific abilities or talents that a person possesses. Note, when listing skills, we often use the gerund (or ING form), because a verb is treated like a noun. For example, in the CV, Paul writes: negotiating contracts and working as part of a team. He might also have impressed Luna with: Preparing financial statements; Offering expert advice to clients; Maintaining accounting records. An "ability" is synonymous with a "skill".
3 Achievements:: "Achievements" need to contain past tenses (not the gerund or ING form of verbs) and be more specific. For example: negotiating contracts and working as part of a team --> skill; Successfully negotiated maintenance contract with Asuka Bank worth 10 million dollars --> achievement.
3 Objective:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Objective" section briefly summarizes the job candidate and their career goals.
3 Experience:: This isn't the best choice. An "experience" section needs to provide precise dates and give a sense of career progression.
3 Education:: This isn't the best choice here. This is not the best choice here. The "Education" section usually lists academic qualifications.
3 Interests:: This is not the best choice here. The "Interests" section of a CV provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
3 Referees:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Referee" section usually includes the names of people (former bosses for example) who can comment on a candidate's skills and experience.
4 Experience:: The term "experience" describes the various things that have happened in a person's working life. This section of a CV gives exact information about where a person has worked, the position or title held, the dates there, and, normally, specific responsibilities and duties. This section is used to give the past history of the candidate.
4 Achievements:: This is not the best choice here. "Achievements" are "accomplishments" or "big successes" designed to impress an HR manager.
4 Special skills:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Special skills" section usually lists key skills and abilities.
4 Objective:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Objective" section briefly summarizes the job candidate and their career goals.
4 Education:: This isn't the best choice here. This is not the best choice here. The "Education" section usually lists academic qualifications.
4 Interests:: This is not the best choice here. The "Interests" section of a CV provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
4 Referees:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Referee" section usually includes the names of people (former bosses for example) who can comment on a candidate's skills and experience.
5 Education:: The "Education" section lists the academic qualifications a person has achieved. This section of a CV gives exact information about a person's academic background: names of institutions; dates attended; and degrees, qualifications, or diplomas received. On British CVs, this section might be simply called "Qualifications".
5 Achievements:: In a more general sense, academic qualifications might be considered as achievements. However, they are never listed under the "achievements" section of a CV.
5 Special skills:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Special skills" section usually lists key skills and abilities.
5 Experience:: This is not the best choice here. The "Experience" section usually provides a summary of a candidate's employment history.
5 Objective:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Objective" section briefly summarizes the job candidate and their career goals.
5 Interests:: This is not the best choice here. The "Interests" section of a CV provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
5 Referees:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Referee" section usually includes the names of people (former bosses for example) who can comment on a candidate's skills and experience.
6 Interests:: The term "interests" describes the various things that a person likes to do in their free time. This section of a CV provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
6 Achievements:: This is not the best choice here. "Achievements" are "accomplishments" or "big successes" designed to impress an HR manager.
6 Special skills:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Special skills" section usually lists key skills and abilities.
6 Experience:: This isn't the best choice here. The "experience" section summarizes an individual's professional career. It is never used to list less relevant information such as an individual's interests.
6 Education:: This isn't the best choice here. This is not the best choice here. The "Education" section usually lists academic qualifications.
6 Objective:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Objective" section briefly summarizes the job candidate and their career goals.
6 Referees:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Referee" section usually includes the names of people (former bosses for example) who can comment on a candidate's skills and experience.
7 Referees: : In British English, the term "referee" describes a person who can give further information or evaluate a candidate's suitability for a position. A referee is often a former boss or senior employee in company where the candidate worked. In the US, this person is called a "reference".
7 Achievements:: This is not the best choice here. "Achievements" are "accomplishments" or "big successes" designed to impress an HR manager.
7 Special skills:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Special skills" section usually lists key skills and abilities.
7 Experience:: This is not the best choice here. The "Experience" section usually provides a summary of a candidate's employment history.
7 Education:: This isn't the best choice here. This is not the best choice here. The "Education" section usually lists academic qualifications.
7 Interests:: This is not the best choice here. The "Interests" section of a CV provides additional information about a person's hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.
7 Objective:: This isn't the best choice here. The "Objective" section briefly summarizes the job candidate and their career goals.
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