Dec 19 2022

Problem-solving Skills: An important part of your CV

Annet Jepper Career Advice

Recruiters think highly of candidates with strong problem-solving skills because these skills are highly valued in the workforce. Strong problem-solving skills enable individuals to identify and effectively manage challenges, and to find creative and effective solutions to a wide range of problems. This can help to improve efficiency, productivity, and success in the workplace, and can also help to make individuals more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many job roles require strong problem-solving skills, so having these skills can make a candidate more attractive to recruiters.

 

There are many ways to improve problem-solving skills, including the following:

  • Practice regularly: Regular practice is one of the best ways to improve problem-solving skills. This can involve setting aside dedicated time to work on problem-solving tasks, such as puzzles or logic games.

  • Take on new challenges: Seeking out new challenges and difficult problems can help to improve problem-solving skills. This can involve taking on new projects or tasks at work, or trying out new hobbies or activities that require problem-solving skills.

  • Collaborate with others: Collaborating with others can help to improve problem-solving skills. This can involve working with colleagues, friends, or family members on problem-solving tasks, or joining a group or organization that focuses on problem-solving.

  • Learn from experience: Reflecting on past experiences and learning from successes and failures can help to improve problem-solving skills. This can involve keeping a journal or diary to document problem-solving experiences, and using this information to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

  • Seek feedback: Seeking feedback from others, such as colleagues, mentors, or coaches, can help to improve problem-solving skills. This can involve asking for feedback on specific problem-solving tasks, or asking for general feedback on problem-solving abilities.

  • Develop related skills: Improving related skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making, can also help to improve problem-solving skills. This can involve pursuing training or education in these areas, or practicing these skills in daily life.

 

How recruiters often use to evaluate problem-solving skills of candidates?

 

There are several ways to evaluate the problem-solving skills of candidates, including the following:

  • Ask specific problem-solving questions: Asking specific problem-solving questions during the interview process can provide insight into a candidate's problem-solving skills. This can involve presenting the candidate with a hypothetical problem and asking them to explain how they would approach and solve it.

  • Observe the candidate in action: Observing the candidate in action, such as during a group exercise or a mock problem-solving task, can provide insight into their problem-solving skills. This can involve paying attention to how the candidate approaches the problem, what strategies they use, and how they work with others to solve the problem.

  • Ask for examples: Asking the candidate to provide examples of previous problem-solving experiences can provide insight into their problem-solving skills. This can involve asking the candidate to describe a specific problem they faced and how they solved it, and asking for details on the steps they took and the outcome of the situation.

  • Check references: Checking references and talking to previous employers or colleagues can provide insight into a candidate's problem-solving skills. This can involve asking for specific examples of the candidate's problem-solving abilities, and asking for feedback on their performance in problem-solving situations.

  • Use aptitude tests: Using aptitude tests that specifically measure problem-solving skills can provide objective data on a candidate's abilities. These tests can involve presenting the candidate with a range of problem-solving tasks and measuring their performance on these tasks.