Are skills and competencies the same thing?

The short answer is... No, they are not the same, although the difference is subtle and this is what tends to confuse the two concepts. Knowing these definitions and their implications is key in any company's recruiting process. So let's start with the concepts:

Skill is the capacity of an individual to perform a specific task or function correctly and even with a certain degree of ease. In short, it is the ability to perform something.

A person's competence consists of those traits and characteristics that enable them to perform optimally in their function or a specific task.

I know, these concepts are very similar, so let me illustrate them better with an example. Let's say you are looking for an Illustrator designer for the position. Both the skilled person and the competent person in this program will have the ability to perform the tasks assigned to them, but if in addition to performing the task this person performs it seeking the best performance, understanding its importance and trying to improve it, that is competence.

All people who are competent in a function are skilled in it, but not all skilled people are competent in that function.

To identify the skills and competencies of different talents, it is best to use selection tests such as those offered by Evalart in recruitment processes, and it is even recommended to continue with talent management once they have joined the workforce, so you can monitor and measure their performance over time. Performance Evaluation Tests can help you in this process. In this way, you can carry out an analysis of a candidate's potential vs. their actual performance once hired.

We all stand out for having some kind of innate inclination or skill, to a greater or lesser extent, developed or not. But we are all different and so are our capabilities. That is why each talent develops across a diverse number of jobs and vocations, and it is precisely the task of a good recruiter to identify these capabilities, skills, and competencies in each talent so they can be developed to the fullest within the organization.