3 things you should know about - problem solving

Prove it

The ability to solve problems effectively is a skill employers really value. It's not enough to say you're competent in this area, what you really need is proof. Be ready to talk about difficulties faced and how you sorted them out. Examples don't have to be restricted to work, there's no harm in showing you have a life outside the office. What you must demonstrate is that problems don't overwhelm you, but are challenges you approach with logic, optimism and determination.

Quick fix

If you don't have such a track record develop one, there's never a shortage of problems to practice on. When you next encounter a difficulty, start by working out the root cause. This is often obscured by all sorts of related issues that can distract from the real problem. Once you've identified that, decide on a series of small steps that can be taken to start putting things right. Working first on things you can fix relatively easily will provide the confidence and motivation to carry on.

Slow progress

Be systematic but allow some space for intuition. When things don't feel right it's a good idea to follow your hunch and see where it leads. Don't be afraid to ask for help, there's much insight others can bring, particularly those who are able to take an objective view. Set realistic time scales, a good solution may not work straight away and rushing can decrease its effectiveness. Accept that you won't always get it right. Describing what you learned from mistakes is much more credible than trying to portray yourself as someone who can fix anything.