We tend to think of two materials we’ll need to apply for a job: our CV and a cover letter. Both are important, but in 2024, they’re not the be all and end all. There’s so much more to consider, from your LinkedIn profile to building a portfolio of previous projects. 

A ‘skills passport’ could be another key component to your job-searching mission, says one expert. But it’s not something you should only think about when you’re on the hunt for a new role – the sooner you can start curating your skills passport, the better. “Taking the time to reflect on your skills in advance – using a ‘skills passport’ – can help you identify your strengths and new opportunities that hold long-term value, which you might not have considered otherwise,” Khyati Sundaram, CEO of ethical AI hiring experts Applied, tells Stylist.

That sounds good to us. So, what is a skills passport, why should you create one, and how do you go about it? Let’s dig in. 

“Unlike a CV – which focuses on workers’ previous experience and qualifications – a skills passport should concentrate on skills. How you gained them doesn’t matter. Your skills passport might include your copywriting skills developed in your previous role but could also reflect data analysis skills gained through a Skillshare course or communication skills developed while living abroad and meeting new people.”

To clarify, you might not send over your skills passport with every job application, but it’s handy for you to have and refer back to. Once you’ve worked up your list of skills, you could also use this as a basis to update your LinkedIn profile. 

First off, creating a list of all your skills can be a handy tool in boosting your confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome. It’s a solid reminder of how great you are and what you have to offer. 

“A skills passport allows you to quickly identify roles you might be a good fit for based on your skill set,” Sundaram notes. They can also help those looking to move into new sectors and empower individuals to identify new roles which they might not have tried or considered otherwise, but which they have all the role-relevant transferable skills needed to thrive in.

“A skills passport is a great tool to help prove yourself in interviews and performance reviews, too. Firstly, look at the job description and consider what questions an interviewer might ask. Then, use your skills passport to identify your relevant skills, with examples that showcase your ability to thrive in the role. This way, you can identify any areas you might need to upskill in first to land a new promotion or role.”

Making your own skills passport is easy – just write a list of all your current skills. Sundaram says: “This can be as varied as you like, and the skills don’t have to be work-related. Just focus on getting as much down on paper as possible. Here are some prompts to get started: 

• What skills do I use every day at work?
• What transferable skills do I have?
• What are my biggest accomplishments at work in the last year? What skills did I use to achieve them?
• What would my colleagues say are my biggest strengths?
• What would my friends and family say are my biggest strengths?
• What skills have I developed outside of work? (Think about hobbies, courses or life experiences, like becoming a mother or moving cities.)”

Back up your skills with evidence. “As you go, write down examples of specific scenarios that have required you to use these skills,” Sundaram recommends. “Any specific achievements that showcase your aptitude for a particular skill are worth noting down, too. These examples can be useful to cite in interviews, but they are also there to remind you of your own talent.”

This isn’t a one-and-done job. Your skills passport, says Sundaram, is a “living document”, something that you can keep updated through new roles and experiences. You might want to bring it up in a one-to-one with your manager, to ask for training in one of the skills you want to develop. You might read through it when your confidence takes a dip. You’ll definitely want to refer to it if you’ve got an interview. Lean on your skills passport and you’ll see how it can help you grow. 

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Images: Getty