Skills Database and Classification - Where Does It Come From?

Introduction

SkyHive builds its skills database from real-world sources like job postings, resumes, and professional profiles. When we talk about "skills," we mean any knowledge, ability, expertise, or experience that people list in these documents. This helps our AI understand how skills are described in actual workplace situations.

Our AI system is unique because it continuously updates and rebuilds our skills ontology (classification system) on its own. This creates a dynamic, evolving database of skills. To ensure accuracy, our team of expert linguists and data scientists regularly review and fine-tune the system's output.

When a new skill is verified, our linguists create detailed descriptions to explain exactly what that skill means.

To keep things organized, every skill in our dictionary is sorted into one of three categories. This classification helps show whether a skill is broadly applicable across many jobs or specific to certain industries or roles.

Skills Classification

1. Technical

Skill Classification: Knowledge of specific tools & methodologies that are specific to an occupation or industry

Specific tools and tests

• magnetic lens, metal lathes, Young Mania Rating Scale, mammography

Software, programming languages and packages, product names

• ex Twilio, C/C++ programming language, LastPass

Specialized methodologies

• ex Agile practices, 3D seismic interpretation, airbrush makeup

Concepts that are very specific to a field

• ex differentials, fishery biology, mammalian cell culture

Tasks that are specific to a field

• ex. tree pruning, locomotive crane operation, manicure, medical sterilization

Certifications

• ex. ANCC certified, CPA (Certified Public Accountant), certified culinarian

Specific cultural knowledge (history, humanities) and methodologies

• ex. American literature, Early Modern Europe, media analysis, Latin

Sports and musical instruments

• ex. yoga, dancing, violin

2. General

• Skills that can be transferred across occupations or industries.
• These skills require training or certification, unlike soft skills.
• Tools, methodologies, scientific concepts, knowledge, and ability can be used in multiple industries.

Broad concepts with multiple specific applications

• ex. demography, coaching, consumer behavior

Specific methodologies and knowledge that can be applied to multiple industries

• ex. commercial law, Facebook marketing, visual design

Scientific fields with various applications

• ex chemistry, marine biology

Business strategies that aren’t highly specialized

• ex. financial planning, project management, contingency planning

Other basic non-industry-specific tasks, if it does not fall under the definition of Soft/Generic.

• ex. disinfection, floor cleaning, crew dispatching

3. Human

• Usually, communications, emotions, ethics, basic physical and cognitive abilities, and languages.
• Does not require training/certification.

Basic communication

• ex. drafting correspondence, listening

Emotions

• ex. emotional intelligence, enthusiastic, empathy

Basic physical abilities

• ex. climbing, manual dexterity

Basic cognitive skills and executive functions

• Executive functions are cognitive skills that help control behavior and achieve goals.
• ex. concentration, cognitive flexibility, attentive

Special case: Languages (languages that have native speakers; no dead languages)

• ex. Dutch, Flemish

Updated November 25, 2024 21:57