How to Answer "What Skills Would You Like To Improve?

Best way to answers: What Skills Would You Like to Improve

We all possess them – the abilities we realize could benefit from a bit (or a significant amount!) of refinement. Recognizing aspects that need enhancement isn’t a weakness; it reflects self-awareness and a dedication to development. Whether you’re getting ready for a job interview, doing a self-evaluation, or just trying to enhance yourself, understanding which skills you wish to develop – and *why* – is essential.

This blog addresses this frequent yet unexpectedly intricate question, providing examples, insights, and suggestions to assist you in clearly expressing your development goals. We will examine various skills, including both hard technical competencies and soft interpersonal qualities, offering you practical strategies and sample responses to facilitate your self-improvement journey.

Why Does This Question Matters to the Interviewer?

Comprehending the reasons behind inquiries regarding skills you wish to enhance is equally crucial as providing the answer. Here’s an analysis of what employers (or even your own personal judgment) are attempting to assess:

Self-Awareness: Are you honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses?

Growth Mindset: Do you embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities to learn?

Commitment to Development:Are you proactive in seeking ways to improve your abilities?

Fit: Do your development goals align with the needs of the role or the organization?

Coachability: Are you open to feedback and willing to learn from others?

In simple terms, it’s not about admitting your shortcomings; it’s about showcasing your ability for future development and involvement.

Identifying Skills to Improve: A Starting Point

The initial challenge is identifying the abilities you truly wish to improve. Here are several paths to consider:

Performance Reviews: Consider insights from previous assessments. What recurring themes emerge?

Job Descriptions: Recognize the abilities mentioned in job advertisements that you do not currently have or feel assured about.

Skill Gap Analysis: Perform a self-evaluation by contrasting your existing skills with those needed for your targeted career journey.

360-Degree Feedback: Solicit feedback from peers, managers, and team members to acquire a thorough viewpoint.

Personal Reflection: Spend some peaceful moments contemplating your daily activities and interactions. Where do you experience difficulty or resistance?

What tasks do you consistently avoid?

Don’t just pick a skill at random. Choose something that genuinely resonates with you and aligns with your goals. The more authentic your answer, the more convincing you’ll be.

Categories of Skills and Examples with Customized Responses

To assist you in generating ideas, here’s an overview of typical skill categories along with examples and possible responses. Keep in mind that the ideal response is consistently customized to your unique situation and goals.

Avoid selecting a skill arbitrarily. Select something that truly connects with you and matches your objectives. The more genuine your response, the more persuasive you will seem.

Categories of Skills and Examples with Customized Responses

Technical Skills

These are the specific, measurable abilities related to a particular job or field.

Example: Data Analysis

Context: Aspiring Marketing Analyst

Answer: “I’m eager to deepen my data analysis skills. While I have a foundational understanding of tools like Excel and Google Analytics, I’d like to become proficient in more advanced statistical software like Python and R. I’m currently taking an online course in Python and plan to apply these skills to analyze marketing campaign data, identifying trends and insights to optimize performance. Ultimately, this would allow me to contribute more effectively to strategic decision-making.”

Example: Coding (Specific Language)

Context: Junior Web Developer aiming for mid-level

Answer: “I’m focused on improving my proficiency in React. While I’m comfortable with the basics, I want to become more adept at building complex, reusable components and optimizing performance. I’m actively working on personal projects using React, contributing to open-source projects, and seeking mentorship from senior developers to accelerate my learning.”

Example: Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Context: System Administrator seeking cloud expertise

Answer: “I’m prioritizing expanding my knowledge of AWS cloud services. I recognize the growing importance of cloud infrastructure in our industry, and I want to contribute to our organization’s cloud migration strategy. I’m currently pursuing AWS certifications and experimenting with different AWS services in a sandbox environment to gain hands-on experience.”

Soft Skills (Interpersonal Skills)

These are the personal attributes that enable you to interact effectively with others.

Example: Public Speaking

Context: Project Manager who presents to stakeholders

Answer: “I’d like to enhance my public speaking abilities. While I’m comfortable presenting project updates, I sometimes struggle with engaging large audiences and delivering compelling narratives. I’ve joined a Toastmasters club to improve my delivery and confidence, and I’m seeking opportunities to present at team meetings to practice in a supportive environment.”

Example: Active Listening

Context: Customer Service Representative seeking to improve customer satisfaction

Answer: “I’m committed to becoming a better listener. I believe that truly understanding customer needs is essential for providing exceptional service. I’m actively practicing techniques like paraphrasing, summarizing, and asking clarifying questions to ensure I fully grasp customer concerns before offering solutions. I’m also seeking feedback from colleagues and supervisors on my listening skills.”

Example: Conflict Resolution

Context: Team Lead wanting to mediate team disagreements

Answer: “I want to strengthen my ability to navigate conflicts constructively. As a team lead, I sometimes encounter disagreements among team members. I’m studying conflict resolution strategies and practicing active mediation techniques to facilitate productive discussions and help team members find mutually agreeable solutions. I believe that effectively managing conflict is crucial for maintaining team morale and productivity.”

Leadership Skills

These are the abilities that enable you to guide, motivate, and inspire others.

Example: Delegation

Context: Senior Analyst transitioning into management

Answer: “I’m focused on improving my delegation skills. While I’m capable of handling most tasks independently, I recognize that effective delegation is essential for building a high-performing team and empowering team members to grow. I’m learning to identify tasks that can be effectively delegated, providing clear instructions and support, and trusting team members to take ownership. I’m also seeking feedback from my manager on my delegation approach.”

Example: Strategic Thinking

Context: Marketing Manager aiming for a Director role

Answer: “I want to develop a more strategic mindset. While I’m proficient in executing marketing campaigns, I’d like to improve my ability to analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and develop long-term marketing strategies that align with the company’s overall goals. I’m actively reading industry publications, attending strategic planning workshops, and seeking mentorship from senior leaders to broaden my perspective.”

Example: Mentoring

Context: Experienced Software Engineer looking to guide junior developers

Answer: “I aim to enhance my mentoring capabilities. I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience with junior engineers to help them develop their skills and careers. I want to become a more effective mentor by improving my communication, providing constructive feedback, and tailoring my approach to individual learning styles. I’m seeking opportunities to mentor junior engineers and participate in mentorship training programs.”

Communication Skills

This is your ability to convey information effectively, whether verbally or in writing.

Example: Written Communication

Context: Accountant who writes reports

Answer: “I am looking to improve my written communication. In my role, I’m often tasked with writing reports and summaries for upper management, and I feel that these could be more impactful with clearer, more concise writing. To improve, I am reviewing examples of well-written reports, seeking feedback from colleagues known for their writing skills, and taking an online course focused on business writing.”

Example: Presentation skills

Context: Salesperson presenting product demos

Answer: “I want to improve my presentation skills, specifically when delivering product demos to potential clients. While I’m knowledgeable about our products, I can sometimes struggle to maintain audience engagement throughout the entire presentation. I plan to join a local public speaking workshop to refine my delivery techniques and better capture and hold the attention of my audience.”

Time Management and Organization Skills

These skills keep you efficient and able to prioritize effectively.

Example: Project management

Context: Marketing assistant helping with multiple campaigns

Answer: “To manage marketing campaigns more effectively, I am aiming to improve my project management skills. I’m learning to use project management software to better organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. I’m also studying project management methodologies and practices to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.”

Tips for Answering the Question Effectively

Be Specific: Avoid vague statements like “I want to improve my communication skills.” Instead, specify which aspect of communication you want to improve (e.g., written communication, public speaking, active listening).

Provide Context: Explain *why* you want to improve that particular skill. How will it benefit you, the team, or the organization?

Outline Actions: Describe *how* you plan to improve the skill. What steps are you taking (e.g., taking a course, seeking mentorship, practicing regularly)?

Show Enthusiasm: Express your genuine desire to learn and grow. This demonstrates a growth mindset and a willingness to embrace challenges.

Be Honest, but Positive: Don’t dwell on your weaknesses; focus on the positive impact of improving the skill. Frame it as an opportunity for growth, not a confession of inadequacy.

What to Avoid

Perfectionism: Don’t say you have no skills to improve. It comes across as arrogant or out of touch.

Generic Answers: Avoid cliché answers like “I’m a perfectionist” or “I work too hard.”

Blaming Others: Don’t attribute your skill gaps to external factors like lack of training or support. Take ownership of your development.

Skills Irrelevant to the Role: Choose skills that are relevant to the job or your career goals. Don’t say you want to improve your woodworking skills if you’re applying for a marketing position.

Negative Self-Talk: Don’t be overly critical of yourself. Maintain a positive and confident tone.

Final Thoughts

The question “What skills would you like to improve?” is an invitation to showcase your self-awareness, growth mindset, and commitment to development. By preparing thoughtful and specific answers, you can demonstrate your potential and leave a lasting impression. Embrace this question as an opportunity to highlight your dedication to continuous improvement and your readiness to contribute to the team’s success. Good luck!

Best Ways to Answer : What Skills Would You Like to Improve?

Why Does This Question Matters to the Interviewer?

Identifying Skills to Improve: A Starting Point

What tasks do you consistently avoid?

Categories of Skills and Examples with Customized Responses