Competency Reflection Worksheet

Ever wonder how your school projects, part-time jobs, or even volunteer work are preparing you for the future? The answer lies in competencies—knowledge, skills and abilities you’re building along the way that will help you succeed in school, work, and life. From communication and teamwork to critical thinking and technology, these competencies are essential no matter what path you choose. Our Competency Reflection Worksheet helps reflect on your experiences and identify the skills you're already developing. Ready to unlock your full potential? Grab your copy of the worksheet now and start reflecting on how your everyday experiences are shaping your future!

To make your reflection easier, use this helpful prompt to describe your experience

I really needed to know ____________ (knowledge). I was successful because I was able to demonstrate _____________________ (hard skill) and _____________________ (soft skill). 

My natural gift to ________________________ (ability) helps me a lot when doing this activity.

If you want to take your descriptions up a notch, follow these simple steps:

• Get Specific About Your Experience: Break down your experience into individual tasks. What exactly did you do? For example, if you worked on a History project, don’t just describe the project as a whole. Instead, focus on specific tasks: maybe you researched the Civil War, coordinated team meetings, and created the PowerPoint presentation. Apply the prompt to each of those tasks individually. See the difference?

  
  

• Use clear, action-oriented verbs: Action verbs like “organized,” “assisted,” or “created” paint a clear picture of what you did. Instead of saying you "communicated well," which can be vague, say something like "presented" or "reported." These verbs show exactly what kind of communication skills you used.

  
  

• Include Tools and Methods: Did you use any tools, systems or processes? Mention them to highlight technical skills, like “used spreadsheets for data entry” or “followed safety guidelines.”

  
  

• Reflect on the Work Environment: Think about where and how you worked. Was it fast-paced? Did you work alone or in a team? Describing this will help you pinpoint important skills like adaptability, time management, or problem-solving.

  
  

By following these steps, you'll create richer, more detailed descriptions that make it easy to identify the skills you’re building.

In addition to key skills like leadership, creativity, and lifelong learning, we’ve included a blank space in the worksheet for you to think of and write down other important skills you’re building, like social responsibility and empathy. These competencies are crucial in today’s world and can set you apart. The future of work is all about adaptability and having a well-rounded skillset, so knowing your strengths will help you stand out to colleges and employers. Start reflecting today—download the Competency Reflection Worksheet and discover how your skills are preparing you for what’s next!

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." – Ralph Waldo Emerson