Skill vs. Qualification: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 18, 2023
Skill refers to the ability to perform a task well, often due to training or experience. Qualification is a credential or certification that proves one's eligibility for a specific job, task, or award.
Key Differences
Skill and Qualification are two terms often used in professional and academic settings, but they serve different purposes and convey different meanings. A skill is essentially a learned ability to carry out a task or activity effectively. It's often acquired through training, practice, or innate talent. On the other hand, a qualification is more about the certifications, degrees, or documented experience that validate your ability to perform specific tasks or jobs.
In the context of a resume or job application, skills are the practical abilities you bring to the table. These can be hard skills, like programming or woodworking, or soft skills like communication or problem-solving. Qualifications would be the educational background, licenses, or certifications that officially credential you to perform certain duties or roles. For example, you may have excellent skills in accounting, but without the qualification of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), some doors may remain closed to you.
Grammatically speaking, both "Skill" and "Qualification" primarily function as nouns. However, each has adjectival forms— "skilled" and "qualified." These adjectives can be employed to describe a person's abilities or eligibility. For example, one might say a "skilled carpenter" or a "qualified engineer."
While skills can be self-taught or developed through experience, qualifications often require a formal process of education and validation. Skills can be showcased through demonstration, whereas qualifications are usually proved through certificates, licenses, or documented experience. Overall, skills and qualifications complement each other but are not interchangeable terms.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Ability to perform a task
Credential for eligibility
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Acquired Through
Training, experience
Formal education, certification
Grammatical Role
Primarily used as a noun
Primarily used as a noun
Adjective Form
Skilled
Qualified
Demonstrability
Can be showcased
Proved through official documents
Skill and Qualification Definitions
Skill
The ability to perform a particular task well.
Her skill in baking is exceptional.
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Qualification
Specialized training that prepares for a job.
His medical training was a necessary qualification.
Skill
Expertise in a specific field.
His computer programming skill is top-notch.
Qualification
A credential that validates expertise or eligibility.
His degree is a qualification for the job.
Skill
A learned capacity to achieve a specific outcome.
She demonstrated her skill in negotiation during the meeting.
Qualification
An official certification or license.
Having a pilot's license is a qualification for this position.
Skill
Aptitude in a particular activity.
His skill in woodworking is evident in his craftsmanship.
Qualification
The act of qualifying or the condition of being qualified
Qualification for the tournament will be hard.
Skill
Competence in executing a task.
Her skill in project management led to a successful product launch.
Qualification
A quality, ability, or accomplishment that makes a person suitable for a particular position or task.
Skill
Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience
Painted with great skill.
Qualification
A condition or circumstance that must be met or complied with
Fulfilled the qualifications for registering to vote.
Skill
A developed talent or ability
Improved his writing skills.
Qualification
A restriction or modification
A statement hedged with several qualifications.
Skill
An art, trade, or technique, particularly one requiring use of the hands or body
The skill of glassmaking.
Qualification
The act or process of qualifying for a position, achievement etc.
Qualification for this organization is extraordinarily difficult.
Skill
(Obsolete) A reason; a cause.
Qualification
An ability or attribute that aids someone's chances of qualifying for something; specifically, completed professional training.
What are your qualifications for this job?
Skill
Capacity to do something well; technique, ability. Skills are usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities, which are often thought of as innate.
Where did you pick up that skill?
With great skill, she navigated through the tricky passage.
Doing that coaching course not only taught me useful skills on the field, but also some important life skills.
Qualification
(UK) A certificate, diploma, or degree awarded after successful completion of a course, training, or exam.
Skill
(obsolete) Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause.
Qualification
A clause or condition which qualifies something; a modification, a limitation.
I accept your offer, but with the following qualification.
Skill
(obsolete) Knowledge; understanding.
Qualification
(obsolete) A quality or attribute.
Skill
(obsolete) Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address.
Qualification
The act of qualifying, or the condition of being qualified.
Skill
Great, excellent.
Qualification
That which qualifies; any natural endowment, or any acquirement, which fits a person for a place, office, or employment, or which enables him to sustian any character with success; an enabling quality or circumstance; requisite capacity or possession.
There is no qualification for government but virtue and wisdom, actual or presumptive.
Skill
(transitive) To set apart; separate.
Qualification
The act of limiting, or the state of being limited; that which qualifies by limiting; modification; restriction; hence, abatement; diminution; as, to use words without any qualification.
Skill
To discern; have knowledge or understanding; to know how (to).
Qualification
An attribute that must be met or complied with and that fits a person for something;
Her qualifications for the job are excellent
One of the qualifications for admission is an academic degree
She has the makings of fine musician
Skill
To know; to understand.
Qualification
The act of modifying or changing the strength of some idea;
His new position involves a qualification of his party's platform
Skill
(intransitive) To have knowledge or comprehension; discern.
Qualification
A statement that limits or restricts some claim;
He recommended her without any reservations
Skill
(intransitive) To have personal or practical knowledge; be versed or practised; be expert or dextrous.
Qualification
An accomplishment that enhances suitability.
Fluent in three languages, she has a unique qualification.
Skill
To make a difference; signify; matter.
Qualification
A condition that must be fulfilled for eligibility.
One qualification for this scholarship is a 3.5 GPA.
Skill
(video games) To spend acquired points in exchange for skills.
Skill
Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause.
For great skill is, he prove that he wrought.
Skill
Knowledge; understanding.
That by his fellowship he color mightBoth his estate and love from skill of any wight.
Nor want we skill or art.
Skill
The familiar knowledge of any art or science, united with readiness and dexterity in execution or performance, or in the application of the art or science to practical purposes; power to discern and execute; ability to perceive and perform; expertness; aptitude; as, the skill of a mathematician, physician, surgeon, mechanic, etc.
Phocion, . . . by his great wisdom and skill at negotiations, diverted Alexander from the conquest of Athens.
Where patience her sweet skill imparts.
Skill
Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address.
Richard . . . by a thousand princely skills, gathering so much corn as if he meant not to return.
Skill
Any particular art.
Learned in one skill, and in another kind of learning unskillful.
Skill
To know; to understand.
To skill the arts of expressing our mind.
Skill
To be knowing; to have understanding; to be dexterous in performance.
I can not skill of these thy ways.
Skill
To make a difference; to signify; to matter; - used impersonally.
What skills it, if a bag of stones or goldAbout thy neck do drown thee?
It skills not talking of it.
Skill
An ability that has been acquired by training
Skill
Ability to produce solutions in some problem domain;
The skill of a well-trained boxer
The sweet science of pugilism
FAQs
How Do Skill and Qualification Differ?
Skill is about ability, while qualification is about documented eligibility.
Can a Skill be a Qualification?
Not usually, unless the skill is officially certified.
What is Qualification?
Qualification is a credential that proves eligibility.
What is Skill?
Skill is the ability to perform a task effectively.
Can You Have Skills Without Qualifications?
Yes, many skills are self-taught or developed through experience.
How Do You List Skills on a Resume?
Skills are generally listed in a bullet-point format.
What's the Adjective for Qualification?
The adjective is "qualified."
Do Qualifications Expire?
Some do, like certifications that require renewal.
Is a Degree a Skill or Qualification?
A degree is a qualification.
What's the Adjective for Skill?
The adjective is "skilled."
Are Skills Transferable?
Many skills, especially "soft skills," are transferable between different jobs or roles.
Can You Have Qualifications Without Skills?
It's possible, but unlikely since qualifications often require skill demonstration.
Is Skill More Important Than Qualification?
It depends on the context; both are important but serve different roles.
How Do You List Qualifications on a Resume?
Qualifications can be listed under an "Education" or "Certifications" section.
Can Skills Be Innate?
Some skills, like natural talents, can be innate.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
