A visual overview of skills, knowledge
and experiences, and their value
Εκπαιδευτικό Πρόγραμμα
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A large sheet of paper, minimum size A3, a whiteboard or a flipchart
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Markers and pens in different colours.
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Sticky notes of different colours
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Optional: tape or adhesive putty to attach the sheet of paper to a wall.
45–60 minutes, or willingly up to a few days or weeks.
What is this tool and what is its purpose and benefit?
A value mind map is a visual diagram that provides an overview of a person's skills, knowledge and experience, and their value. The person whose skills, knowledge and experiences are mapped is placed at the centre of a sheet of paper or a board, and these skills, knowledge and experiences are structured hierarchically around the person as they come to mind. This visual overview helps to discover new aspects of own skills, knowledge and experiences while deepening understanding of them and the value they offer.
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STEP 6
Take a large sheet of paper, a whiteboard or a flip chart, and write your name in the centre. If you wish, you can also add a picture or drawing of yourself.
Draw four circles around your name and white in ‘Hard skills’ in one of them, ‘Sof skills’ in another, ‘Knowledge’, in the third one, and ‘Experience’ in the fourth one.
Starting from each circle, write down the first layer of your hard and soft skills, knowledge, and experiences. Use a few words for each instead of sentences. You can use different colours and sticky notes for this.
Continue to break down the hard and soft skills, knowledge, and experiences from the first round into more specific ideas. Add a few more rounds of breaking these down into new, more specific ideas, while building on the previous ones.
Once ready, take a look at the value mind map to find the links and connections between your hard and soft skills, as well as your knowledge and experiences. Consider: What kind of competences and abilities arise? What kind of new perspectives can you find? What else could these create? What value do these have, and what new opportunities could they bring? Draw lines to connect related ideas and concepts. Use different colours to categorise and group opportunities and ideas.
Make notes of your findings for a later use in the Career Compass process or for other purposes.
Steps for using this tool
Tips and hints for using this tool
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You can work on the value mind map over several days, returning to it whenever you have something to add.
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You can also invite others to contribute to your value mind map by adding your skills, knowledge and experiences on it as they might spot something that you do not. Ask them to reflect on and evaluate your findings.
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You can use this visual map in your portfolio or on LinkedIn, for example, to present your skills and competences in a clear and engaging way.
