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Core Competencies
Core competencies will identify a required set of knowledge, skills, and motivations needed for successful job performance.
When used, consider including the top five competencies identified by the organization or it can be a set of knowledge, skills, and abilities required for successful job performance. The job description can include or exclude a definition of the competency.
Not all competencies are relevant to all jobs. Competencies can overlap and build on each other. They should be specific enough to capture the target behavior. For example, developing communication skills can be broken down into smaller competencies such as learning or writing skills. An employee who is told to develop “listening skills” can pinpoint the behavior changes required rather than being told to develop “communication skills”.
Here are some example core competencies.
| Achievement Focus | Consultative Skills | Impact & Influence | Organization Skills | Staffing & Onboarding |
| Accuracy | Continuous Learning | Initiative | Performance Coaching | Reliability |
| Adaptability | Cooperation | Innovation | Personal Appearance | Safety and Security |
| Analytical Skills | Cost Consciousness | KSAs (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) | Planning & Organization | Sales Skills |
| Attendance & Timeliness | Creativity | Judgement & Integrity | Social Intelligence | Strategic/Tactical Thinking |
| Business/Emotional Intelligence | Customer Focus | Leadership | Problem Solving | Team Leadership |
| Business Ethics | Delegation | Managing Customer Focus | Project Management | Teamwork |
| Change Management | Dependability | Management of People | Quality | Trustworthy |
| Communications: Oral/Written/Platform | Design & Development | Market Intelligence | Quantity | Technology |
| Conflict Resolution | Diversity | Networking | Resilience | Visionary |
Example – Core Competencies for Chief Executive Officer
- Leadership - The ability to influence, guide, inspire, motivate, recognize and direct an individual, team, and/or an organization while providing freedom to be their best to attain high standards of performance.
- Business Acumen - A knowledge and practice of good business, financial, operational, marketing, legal, and management practices which can be aligned to attain tactical and strategic goals and objectives.
- Strategic Thinking - The ability to develop short- and long-term strategies to attain key organizational goals and objectives.
- Problem Solving - The ability to identify, research, assess, and resolve problems in a timely manner while working effectively as a team. Works to continually improve processes, products, and services.
- Managing People - The ability to attract, hire, retain, organize, develop, manage, recognize, and reward a motivated team capable of achieving short- and long-range business objectives using effective management and legal practices.
Basic and Preferred Qualifications
The Basic and Preferred Qualifications can be used for recruiting, managing promotional requirements, and even posting to career web sites. Basic Qualifications should represent the minimum requirements for competent job performance. Consistency and concise thoroughness are important in developing Basic and Preferred Qualifications. In completing this section, the requirements for promotion to this job should be included rather than an incumbent’s personal background. Specific college degrees (e.g., Associates, Bachelors, Master’s or Doctorate) shouldn’t be required unless required by law. For example, an M.D. practicing medicine would need to be included on a physician’s job description. A J.D. practicing law would need to be included on an attorney’s job description. Most other degrees are not required so stating “equivalent to” is a reasonable way to state the education desired for a vacant job.
Example – Basic and Preferred Qualifications for Chief Executive Officer
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Executive leadership experience with a proven track record of managerial success and sales and marketing results in the pharmaceutical industry. This would typically be acquired through 15-16 years of increasingly responsible related experience.
Technical Knowledge: Requires an extensive knowledge of Research and Development in the pharmaceutical industry including global government approvals, and ability to bring products to market.
Management Skills: Proven management skills and the ability to lead, motivate, and develop an engaged management team and professionals capable of achieving aggressive business goals and objectives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Equivalent to a six-year college education with an emphasis in a related Science, Business Administration, Finance, or Sales and Marketing.
Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including verbal, written, negotiation, and platform communications. Established effective working relationships within the pharmaceutical industry are highly desired.
Other Skills: Excellent mathematical, analytical, and organizational skills. Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing Microsoft Office applications.
Additional examples may be viewed on major government contrators' job boards.
Memory Jogger
What does a “set of knowledge, skills, and motivations for successful job performance” describe?