Auditing your skills

You should start by taking stock of your strengths and weaknesses  by thinking through what skills you have already and identify ones that you need to develop or hone. Reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses will help you to function more effectively.

The Researcher Development Framework (RDF) is the result of an investigation into the skills researchers used throughout their careers. You can use this as a basis to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, to use these to your advantage and seek training where necessary. You can use the Professional Development Planner (PDP) for researchers to record the skills you have now, and your plans to improve them. You may find the RDF useful for:

• preparing for one-on-one reviews with your supervisor, research manager or principal investigator where you will be discussing your professional or career development
• prioritising the most appropriate formal and informal development opportunities provided by the institution
• considering skills and experiences that will enhance your prospects of success in particular careers.

In order to select appropriate opportunities to enhance your skills you may also wish to think about:

• your learning style
• how you function in a team
• your personality type.

There are lots of professional self-assessment tools which are designed to help you reflect on your attributes and aptitudes check which tools your institution subscribes to, often they are provided by the careers service. You may find that your institution also offers training courses to think about your strengths and weaknesses.