Why Prove Skills in the First Place?

Anyone can claim to have a skill, but only skills one can prove are recognized by others. People who prove their skills stand out from those who don’t. When employers can see skill evidence, they’re able to make informed decisions about who they hire or promote based on skills, not exclusively on education level or work histories. 

Three types of evidence help prove skills and can be showcased on CareerPrepped

  1. Skill Narratives: Stories that explain how one applies a skill illustrated with examples, often evaluated via responses to job interview questions.
  2. Portfolio Files: Multimedia files such as work samples, awards, learning records and credentials that support a claimed skill.
  3. Endorsements: Validation from others who vouch for one’s claimed skill based on their experience and observation of the person’s skill.

When is Evidence Strong vs. Weak?

Whether a skill has strong evidence to support it is subject to different opinions, which is why it’s important to understand diverse opinions of others. Below is a general guide to understand if the evidence of a skill is strong vs. weak.

Two ways skills are represented on CareerPrepped

  1. Skill Badges: CareerPrepped Skill Badges are digital representations of essential workforce skills, often called “soft skills,” that have been specifically defined by CareerPrepped. Skill Badges indicate the claimed abilities that define the skill and responses to two “interview” questions about the skill (i.e., skill narratives). Skill Badge owners can also provide portfolio files, endorsements and testimonials to support the claimed abilities. Skill Badge owners can collect feedback on the extent to which others feel their question responses and portfolio files prove their claimed skill.

 

  1. “Other Skills”: Self-identified skills a person claims to have which are not represented by Skill Badges fall under “Other Skills.” “Other Skills” can be proven with portfolio files, endorsements, and testimonials. Community members can collect feedback on the extent to which others feel their portfolio files prove these claimed skills.