Problem solving skills are essential in just about any graduate position you can think of: identify the problem, define obstacles, examine your options, act according to an agreed course of action, analyze how it turns out and if any changes need to be made. Problem solving skills allow you to observe the situation and determine the factors that contribute to the problem. Identifying the root cause and the ability to take the necessary action with available resources are critical to improving your problem-solving skills. The way in which a problem is identified will vary: it may appear by chance, or you may have discovered it as part of another task you are performing, such as answering a phone call or preparing a report.
Something might happen that highlights that there's a problem, but you're not sure what the problem is. This is where you'll have to draw on your own knowledge, the knowledge of others, as well as your research and analysis skills to find the problem. Once the problem has been identified, you will need to locate its source. To do this, you will need to thoroughly investigate the problem and identify how it will be addressed.
You may need to talk to other people, and that's where your listening and communication skills come into play. You may need to conduct your own research on the problem and analyze any data. Implementing your solution will mean reaccessing your project management and teamwork skills. Good communication is also key here to ensure that everyone knows the role they will play and what the deadlines are.
Create an action plan that details this so that everyone can see it, can support each other, and hold each other accountable. If you've solved a problem that has had a positive impact on the company, such as improving customer service standards or saving resources, indicate it in your resume.
