By Mike Simpson
Problem-solving skills are important not just for work. In the words of Karl Popper, βAll life is problem-solving.β
What on earth does that mean? Simply that being alive means facing challenges. With problem-solving skills, you can navigate issues with greater ease, making hard times, well, less hard.
But what are problem-solving skills? How do you know if you have them or not? Why do they matter to your job search? And what should you do if you donβt feel yours are up to snuff? Luckily, weβre about to get into all of that.
If youβre curious about the world of problem-solving skills, hereβs what you need to know.
What Are Problem-Solving Skills?
Before we dig into any examples, letβs focus first on an important question: what are problem-solving skills.
To answer that question, letβs start with the barebones basics. According to Merriam-Webster, problem-solving is βthe process or act of finding a solution to a problem.β Why does that matter? Well, because it gives you insight into what problem-solving skills are.
Any skill that helps you find solutions to problems can qualify. And that means problem-solving skills arenβt just one capability, but a toolbox filled with soft skills and hard skills that come together during your time of need.
The ability to solve problems is relevant to any part of your life. Whether your writing a grocery list or dealing with a car that wonβt start, youβre actually problem-solving.
The same is true at work, too. Most tasks actually involve a degree of problem-solving. Really? Really.
Think about it this way; when youβre given an assignment, youβre being asked, βCan you do this thing?β Doing that thing is the problem.
Then, you have to find a path that lets you accomplish what you need to do. That is problem-solving.
Yes, sometimes what you need to handle isnβt βchallengingβ in the difficulty sense. But that doesnβt mean it doesnβt count.
Besides, some of what you need to do will legitimately be hard. Maybe youβre given a new responsibility, or something goes wrong during a project. When that happens, youβll have to navigate unfamiliar territory, gather new information, and think outside of the box. Thatβs problem-solving, too.
Thatβs why hiring managers favor candidates with problem-solving skills. They make you more effective in your role, increasing the odds that you can find solutions whenever the need arises.
How Are Problem-Solving Skills Relevant to a Job Search?
Alright, you probably have a good idea of what problem-solving skills are. Now, itβs time to talk about why they matter to your job search.
Weβve already touched on one major point: hiring managers prefer candidates with strong problem-solving skills. That alone makes these capabilities a relevant part of the equation. If you donβt show the hiring manager youβve got what it takes to excel, you may struggle to land a position.
But that isnβt the only reason these skills matter. Problem-solving skills can help you during the entire job search process. After all, whatβs a job search but a problem β or a series of problems β that needs an answer.
You need a new job; thatβs the core problem youβre solving. But every step is its own unique challenge. Finding an opening that matches your skills, creating a resume that resonates with the hiring manager, nailing the interview, and negotiating a salaryβ¦ those are all smaller problems that are part of the bigger one.
So, problem-solving skills really are at the core of the job search experience. By having strong capabilities in this area, you may find a new position faster than youβd expect.
Okay, you may be thinking, βIf hiring managers prefer candidates with problem-solving skills, which ones are they after? Are certain problem-solving capabilities more important today? Is there something I should be going out of my way to showcase?β
While any related skills are worth highlighting, some may get you further than others. Analysis, research, creativity, collaboration, organization, and decision-making are all biggies. With those skills, you can work through the entire problem-solving process, making them worthwhile additions to your resume.
But that doesnβt mean you have to focus there solely. Donβt shy away from showcasing everything you bring to the table. That way, if a particular hiring manager is looking for a certain capability, youβre more likely to tap on what theyβre after.
How to Highlight Problem-Solving Skills for Job Search
At this point, itβs ridiculously clear that problem-solving skills are valuable in the eyes of hiring managers. So, how do you show them that youβve got all of the capabilities they are after? By using the right approach.
When youβre writing your resume or cover letter, your best bet is to highlight achievements that let you put your problem-solving skills to work. That way, you can βshowβ the hiring manager you have what it takes.
Showing is always better than telling. Anyone can write down, βI have awesome problem-solving skills.β The thing is, that doesnβt really prove that you do. With a great example, you offer up some context, and that makes a difference.
How do you decide on which skills to highlight on your resume or cover letter? By having a great strategy. With the Tailoring Method, itβs all about relevancy. The technique helps you identify skills that matter to that particular hiring manager, allowing you to speak directly to their needs.
Plus, you can use the Tailoring Method when you answer job interview questions. With that approach, youβre making sure those responses are on-point, too.
But when do you talk about your problem-solving capabilities during an interview? Well, thereβs a good chance youβll get asked problem-solving interview questions during your meeting. Take a look at those to see the kinds of questions that are perfect for mentioning these skills.
However, you donβt have to stop there. If youβre asked about your greatest achievement or your strengths, those could be opportunities, too. Nearly any open-ended question could be the right time to discuss those skills, so keep that in mind as you practice for your interview.
How to Develop Problem-Solving Skills If You Donβt Have Them
Developing problem-solving skills may seem a bit tricky on the surface, especially if you think you donβt have them. The thing is, it doesnβt actually have to be hard. You simply need to use the right strategy.
First, understand that you probably do have problem-solving skills; you simply may not have realized it. After all, life is full of challenges that you have to tackle, so thereβs a good chance youβve developed some abilities along the way.
Now, letβs reframe the question and focus on how to improve your problem-solving skills. Hereβs how to go about it.
Understand the Problem-Solving Process
In many cases, problem-solving is all about the process. You:
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- Identify the problem
- Analyze the key elements
- Look for potential solutions
- Examine the options for viability and risk
- Decide on an approach
- Act
- Review the outcome for lessons
By understanding the core process, you can apply it more effectively. That way, when you encounter an issue, youβll know how to approach it, increasing the odds youβll handle the situation effectively.
Try Puzzles and Games
Any activity that lets you take the steps listed above could help you hone your problem-solving skills. For example, brainteasers, puzzles, and logic-based games can be great places to start.
Whether itβs something as straightforward β but nonetheless challenging β as Sudoku or a Rubikβs Cube, or something as complex as Settlers of Catan, it puts your problem-solving skills to work. Plus, if you enjoy the activity, it makes skill-building fun, making it a win-win.
Look for Daily Opportunities
If youβre looking for a practical approach, youβre in luck. You can also look at the various challenges you face during the day and think about how to overcome them.
For example, if you always experience a mid-day energy slump that hurts your productivity, take a deep dive into that problem. Define whatβs happening, think about why it occurs, consider various solutions, pick one to try, and analyze the results.
By using the problem-solving approach more often in your life, youβll develop those skills further and make using these capabilities a habit. Plus, you may find ways to improve your day-to-day living, which is a nice bonus.
Volunteer for βStretchβ Projects
If youβre currently employed, volunteering for projects that push you slightly outside of your comfort zone can help you develop problem-solving skills, too. Youβll encounter the unknown and have to think outside of the box, both of which can boost critical problem-solving-related skills.
Plus, you may gain other capabilities along the way, like experience with new technologies or tools. That makes the project an even bigger career booster, which is pretty awesome.
List of Problem-Solving Skills
Alright, weβve taken a pretty deep dive into what problem-solving skills are. Now, itβs time for some problem-solving skills examples.
As we mentioned above, there are a ton of capabilities and traits that can support better problem-solving. By understanding what they are, you can showcase the right abilities during your job search.
So, without further ado, here is a quick list of problem-solving skill examples:
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- Analysis
- Research
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Organization
- Decision-Making
- Troubleshooting
- Self-Reliance
- Self-Motivation
- Communication
- Attention to Detail
- Testing
- Brainstorming
- Forecasting
- Planning
- Active Listening
- Accountability
- Resilience
- Diligence
- Patience
- Open-Mindedness
- Critical Thinking
- Agility
- Flexibility
Do you have to showcase all of those skills during your job search individually? No, not necessarily. Instead, you want to highlight a range of capabilities based on what the hiring manager is after. If youβre using the Tailoring Method, youβll know which ones need to make their way into your resume, cover letter, and interview answers.
Now, are there other skills that support problem-solving? Yes, there certainly can be.
Essentially any skill that helps you go from the problem to the solution can, in its own right, be a problem-solving skill.
All of the skills above can be part of the equation. But, if you have another capability that helps you flourish when you encounter an obstacle, it can count, too.
Reflect on your past experience and consider how youβve navigated challenges in the past. If a particular skill helped you do that, then itβs worth highlighting during a job search.
If you would like to find out more about skills to put on a resume, weβve taken a close look at the topic before. Along with problem-solving skills, we dig into a variety of other areas, helping you choose what to highlight so that you can increase your odds of landing your perfect job.
Putting It All Together
Ultimately, problem-solving skills are essential for professionals in any kind of field. By honing your capabilities and showcasing them during your job search, you can become a stronger candidate and employee. In the end, thatβs all good stuff, making it easier for you to keep your career on track today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
Good luck!

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.
His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others.
Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page.