Identifying Transferable Skills Using Artificial Intelligence: A Personal Example

                                                                                                                       Steven Simon, Ph.D.

In a previous blog I discussed the amazing power of artificial intelligence (AI) in identifying and using transferable skills in a job search. In this post, using myself as an example, I show how to easily  generate a list of skills based on a set of specifications provided to the AI platform. The skills are then used to generate job options. In this instance a basic resume was input to ChatGPT as a base to work with. The content or the questions to GPT and the responses are quoted directly from Appendix A (questions 1 - 3) and Appendix B (question 4) of the 4th edition of my book, RELAUNCH! Stagnation, Change, and Renewal in Mid-Career and Beyond: Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Edition (2024), https://tinyurl.com/4dby67hw. ChatGPT did not simply repeat the resume. Rather, it did an analysis of the content.

Note that the main challenges are providing AI the meaning of skills and then sequentially asking the right questions to get to the results. Finally, there may need to be some tweaking of the results.

In this instance I chose to use ChatGPT, but other AI platforms could be tried as well. Here is the dialogue:

Question 1: 

Using the definition of skills as work proficiency and knowledge, define the skills of this person based on the following resume: 

Chat GPT Response:

Based on the provided resume, this individual possesses a diverse range of skills spanning counseling, vocational rehabilitation, mental health services, career counseling, education, administration, leadership, research, publication, and presentations. Here's a breakdown of their skills based on their education, certifications, professional positions, and other experiences:

1. Counseling Skills:
• Proficiency in providing vocational rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling.
• Experienced in conducting psychological testing and evaluation.
• Skilled in establishing vocational programs and providing job placement assistance.
2. Vocational Rehabilitation:
• Expertise in vocational rehabilitation assessment, planning, and case management.
• Competence in independent living services and adjustment skills training.
• Familiarity with worker’s compensation evaluations and competency assessments for legal purposes.
3. Career Counseling:
• Proficient in career planning, transferable skills analysis, and employment assistance services.
• Skilled in conducting workshops on transferable skills analysis and professional ethics in counseling.
• Experienced in providing distance and in-person career consulting services.
4. Administrative and Leadership Skills:
• Leadership experience as President and CEO of a human services organization.
• Supervisory roles in various positions, managing teams of counselors, psychologists, and case managers.
• Management of operating budgets and funds totaling millions of dollars.
• Development and administration of employee assistance programs.
5. Teaching and Education:
• Experience as an adjunct professor and lecturer, teaching courses in rehabilitation counseling, human services administration, and practice management.
• Curriculum development and coordination of training programs for vocational rehabilitation specialists.
6. Research and Publication:
• Research experience in developing client satisfaction models and quality assurance systems in vocational rehabilitation.
• Publication of books, journal articles, book chapters, and reviews in the field of vocational rehabilitation and counseling.
7. Presentation and Communication:
• Delivery of major presentations and webinars on topics related to career development, job finding solutions, and meaningful work.
• Leadership roles in journal editing and board membership.
8. Certifications and Licenses:
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
• Certified Career Counselor (CCC).
• Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP).
• Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH).
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Georgia.
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the State of Ohio.

These skills collectively showcase a strong background in counseling, vocational rehabilitation, leadership, education, research, and publication within the field of human services, particularly in the context of career counseling and mental health support.

Question 2: 

Limit the skills to underlying proficiencies and state each proficiency in 15 words or less 

Chat GPT Response:

1. Counseling Proficiency: Expert in vocational and mental health counseling, psychological evaluation, and job placement assistance.
2. Vocational Rehabilitation Expertise: Skilled in assessment, planning, case management, and independent living services for rehabilitation clients.
3. Career Counseling Competence: Proficient in career planning, transferable skills analysis, employment assistance, and professional ethics.
4. Administrative Leadership: Experienced leader in managing teams, budgets, and employee assistance programs within human services organizations.
5. Teaching and Curriculum Development: Skilled educator in rehabilitation counseling, human services administration, and curriculum development for training programs.
6. Research and Publication Aptitude: Experienced researcher and author in vocational rehabilitation, quality assurance systems, and client satisfaction models.
7. Effective Communication and Presentation: Strong communicator delivering presentations and webinars on career development, job finding solutions, and meaningful work.
8. Certifications and Licenses: Hold various certifications and licenses including CRC, CCC, CLCP, BC-TMH, LPC, and LPCC.

Question 3: 

Revise the above using the definition of skills as underlying proficiencies and knowledge necessary to accomplish the work tasks in a competent manner. 

Chat GPT Response:

1. Counseling Proficiency: Mastery in vocational and mental health counseling, including psychological assessment and job placement strategies.
2. Vocational Rehabilitation Expertise: Adept in assessment, planning, case management, and independent living services for rehabilitation clients.
3. Career Counseling Competence: Strong understanding of career planning, transferable skills analysis, employment support, and ethical considerations.
4. Administrative Leadership: Skilled leader proficient in team management, budget oversight, and implementation of employee assistance programs.
5. Teaching and Curriculum Development: Experienced educator with expertise in rehabilitation counseling, program administration, and curriculum design.
6. Research and Publication Aptitude: Demonstrated ability in conducting research, developing quality assurance systems, and publishing scholarly works.
7. Effective Communication and Presentation: Exceptional communicator delivering engaging presentations and webinars on career development topics.
8. Certifications and Licenses: Hold various certifications and licenses, indicating competency in counseling, career development, and mental health services

Question 4: 

Using these skills what are some occupations to which my skills would transfer? 

Chat GPT Response:

Based on your skills in counseling, vocational rehabilitation, career counseling, administrative leadership, teaching, curriculum development, research, publication, communication, and various certifications and licenses, here are some occupations to which your skills would transfer effectively:

1. Clinical Director: Overseeing clinical operations in healthcare or counseling settings, ensuring compliance and quality of care.
2. Rehabilitation Services Manager: Leading programs and services aimed at helping individuals with disabilities achieve their employment and independence goals.
3. Career Development Specialist: Providing career counseling, planning, and development services to individuals seeking employment or career advancement.
4. University Professor: Teaching and developing curriculum in rehabilitation counseling, mental health, or human services administration programs.
5. Program Director for Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Managing and expanding employee support services within organizations.
6. Consultant for Vocational Rehabilitation: Advising organizations or government agencies on vocational rehabilitation programs and policies.
7. Research Director: Leading research projects focused on vocational rehabilitation, mental health services, or career development.
8. Professional Development Trainer: Conducting workshops and training sessions on career counseling, transferable skills analysis, and professional ethics.
9. Forensic Vocational Expert: Providing expert testimony and evaluations in legal cases involving vocational rehabilitation and career potential.
10. Author and Public Speaker: Writing books and delivering presentations on career development, vocational rehabilitation, and mid-career changes.
11. Tele-Mental Health Provider: Offering remote counseling and mental health services through virtual platforms.
12. Nonprofit Organization Executive Director: Leading organizations focused on human services, mental health, or vocational rehabilitation. These roles leverage your extensive background in counseling, rehabilitation, career development, leadership, and education, allowing you to apply your expertise in various settings. 
    

While ChatGPT was not perfect, it was able to quickly distill skills (as defined) in a generally acceptable manner. Further it was able to relate these skills to general occupations to which they would apply. More specific questioning could be used to even better define results.