Dissecting experience
(or “4 things to focus on when upskilling”)
Domain knowledge
Technical skills
Process knowledge
Soft skills
Domain knowledge is knowledge that’s specific to your industry. It answers the question, “what do you know?” This is knowledge of what things are and how they work, forming the backbone of experience, and an essential first step in developing any level of proficiency, since you can’t do a job well unless you know what you’re doing.
Technical skills refer to your expertise using specific tools or performing specific tasks. It answers the question, “what do you do?” It could be that you know how to use a particular project management tool, or know how to edit proposals. It could be that you know how to dice onions, take great photographs, or operate a rotary lift. Most jobs require a bundle of technical skills to perform a specific role.
Process knowledge is how you use your domain knowledge and technical skills to accomplish specific goals. It answers the question, “what’s the best way to do it?” This is the plan you follow that allows you to ‘hit the ground running, and the ‘strategy’ aspect of most strategist jobs. But it applies just as much to any role where it’s your job to make decisions about what to do and what not to.
Finally, soft skills are how you go about doing all of the above. It answers the question, “how do you get it done?” Are you curious (to learn more or to find the answer)? Collaborative? An effective communicator or leader? Do you work hard? Do you listen well? Or are you adaptable or flexible? What do you do when things are low or when the stakes are high? Do you meet your deadlines? Do you stay calm when juggling lots of projects, priorities or people? Last but certainly not the least. And certainly not to be overlooked.