Skills vs. Abilities: Understanding the difference

When analyzing job descriptions, you may notice that recruiters and hiring managers use skills and abilities within the same contexts. Although the two terms have similar meanings, they usually refer to different things. Understanding what skills and abilities are and assessing their differences can help you build a stronger resume that's more likely to resonate with potential employers. Keep reading to learn more about how skills and abilities differ and how to showcase them when looking for a new job or a promotion.

What are abilities?

Abilities are the traits and competencies that help a person perform specific tasks at a decent level. They're usually innate, but you can improve them through practice and study. Here are some broad ability categories, with specific examples to help you understand them better:

Physical abilities: These are physical attributes, such as strength, stamina, and agility. For instance, most people are able to run short distances.
Cognitive abilities: These are mental qualities, such as the ability to learn, remember, and use knowledge to form conclusions. For example, remembering a poem or the lyrics to a song uses your memory and learning abilities.
Technical abilities: These assist you in performing a specific technical task. For example, many people can draw common objects, such as a house or a tree, at a reasonable level.
Interpersonal abilities: These refer to your ability to interact with those around you. You'll likely be able to talk and listen, empathize with those around you, and collaborate with them.
Creative abilities: These help you innovate and create something new from existing materials or information. Most of us can write a heartfelt letter to a loved one.

What are skills?

A skill is the sum of abilities, knowledge, and competencies required to perform a task well. While an ability refers to being able to perform a certain action, having a skill means you can perform that specific action at a high standard. For instance, while you may be able to give someone a shoulder massage, a professional massage therapist has the skill to do it at a level that allows them to charge for their services. There are two main types of skills:

1. Hard skills

These are technical competencies you can develop through specific training or direct experience. They are industry-specific, measurable, and directly affect your ability to perform work tasks at a desired level. Many professions have licenses and certifications that you can acquire, demonstrating one or more of the hard skills required for a particular career. For instance, if you're seeking an excavator operator job, you can work on your excavator control skills and earn a specific certification that shows potential employers that you can operate an excavator effectively and safely.

2. Soft skills

Soft skills are personal qualities that refer to how you interact with those around you. Unlike hard skills, which are usually industry-specific, soft skills can improve your job performance in any field. They're harder to measure and are often innate, although you can work on improving them throughout your career. This makes them more similar to abilities. For example, being able to communicate clearly and actively listen to what others tell you is a valuable soft skill in many industries. Some people must constantly work on this, while others are naturally good at it.

Skills vs. Abilities: What are the main differences?

Skills and abilities are different but related, as a skill is the ability to perform a task at a high level. These are the main differences between them:

How they're obtained

The biggest difference between skills and abilities is how you gain them. Abilities are often innate qualities that you either have or don't have. For instance, you may be born with natural strength and stamina, which allows you to run long distances. However, you must practice relentlessly and over a long period to turn this into a skill. You will then become a skilled distance runner, which can be measured by comparing your time over a set length to those of other runners.

How they're measured

Abilities are usually hard to measure and quantify, as you're born with or without them. A four-year-old may have the natural ability to throw a baseball using innate aptitudes such as strength and muscle memory. However, becoming a skilled pitcher involves throwing the ball at a specific speed and rotation, which can be measured and quantified.

How they're improved

Since abilities are often innate, you can perform them without getting specific instructions or training. However, developing a skill requires conscious training and a constant desire to raise your standard. For instance, you may have natural swimming abilities to stay afloat and move around in a pool without anyone showing you how. Becoming a skilled swimmer, though, requires lots of practice.

There are abilities you can develop through learning and practice. For instance, if your job requires basic bookkeeping abilities, you can learn them even if you're not a natural with numbers.

"Understanding what skills and abilities are and assessing their differences can help you build a stronger resume that's more likely to resonate with potential employers."

Balancing skills and abilities when seeking a job

Listing your skills and abilities correctly on your resume can help show the recruiter or hiring manager that you're the right person for a specific role. Since you can work on turning an ability into a skill, those recruiting for entry-level jobs may be more interested in a candidate's abilities. The reason for this is that an ideal long-term hire for an entry-level position is someone with the potential to develop the skills required to grow and develop as a professional.

Conversely, applicants for high-level roles are usually judged based on their current skill set rather than their abilities and potential. This is because those who hire for a senior position expect the candidate to perform at a high standard at the outset. Here's how to highlight your skills and abilities when applying for an open position:

Showcasing skills and abilities on your resume

When deciding which skills and abilities to include on your resume, the most accurate indicator is usually the job description. Analyze it to determine the core skills required for the role and include the ones you possess in a skills section. It helps to provide objective examples of situations where you used those skills in the past. You can also use the job specification to look for clues regarding which abilities the employer considers important for the role. For instance, patience is difficult to quantify, but many positions require it. If you're on the job hunt, upload your resume to get matched to potential jobs.

Demonstrating skills and abilities during the job interview

One of the most effective ways to outline your skills during the interview is using the STAR interview response technique. This involves describing a specific situation you were in, explaining what your task was, mentioning your actions, and showcasing the result. When discussing your previous professional accomplishments, you can state which of your abilities helped you achieve them. For instance, when recounting how you mediated a deal between two parties, you can say how your communication and interpersonal abilities helped you along the way.

Understanding how skills and abilities are similar and how they differ can help you create an attractive professional profile for hiring managers. It's also important to remember that professional development is a life-long pursuit, so work on those abilities or skills that need developing.