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What Are Problem-Solving Skills? Definition and Examples

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Why do employers hire employees? To help them solve problems. Whether you’re a financial analyst deciding where to invest your firm’s money, or a marketer trying to figure out which channel to direct your efforts, companies hire people to help them find solutions. Problem-solving is an essential and marketable soft skill in the workplace. 

So, how can you improve your problem-solving and show employers you have this valuable skill? In this guide, we’ll cover:

Problem-Solving Skills Definition

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Problem-solving skills are the ability to identify problems, brainstorm and analyze answers, and implement the best solutions. An employee with good problem-solving skills is both a self-starter and a collaborative teammate; they are proactive in understanding the root of a problem and work with others to consider a wide range of solutions before deciding how to move forward. 

Examples of using problem-solving skills in the workplace include:

• Researching patterns to understand why revenue decreased last quarter
• Experimenting with a new marketing channel to increase website sign-ups
• Brainstorming content types to share with potential customers
• Testing calls to action to see which ones drive the most product sales
• Implementing a new workflow to automate a team process and increase productivity

Problem-solving skills are the most sought-after soft skill of 2022. In fact, 86% of employers look for problem-solving skills on student resumes, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2022 survey . 

It’s unsurprising why employers are looking for this skill: companies will always need people to help them find solutions to their problems. Someone proactive and successful at problem-solving is valuable to any team.

“Employers are looking for employees who can make decisions independently, especially with the prevalence of remote/hybrid work and the need to communicate asynchronously,” Eric Mochnacz, senior HR consultant at Red Clover, says. “Employers want to see individuals who can make well-informed decisions that mitigate risk, and they can do so without suffering from analysis paralysis.”

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Problem-solving includes three main parts: identifying the problem, analyzing possible solutions, and deciding on the best course of action.

>>MORE: Discover the right career for you based on your skills with a career aptitude test .

Research is the first step of problem-solving because it helps you understand the context of a problem. Researching a problem enables you to learn why the problem is happening. For example, is revenue down because of a new sales tactic? Or because of seasonality? Is there a problem with who the sales team is reaching out to? 

Research broadens your scope to all possible reasons why the problem could be happening. Then once you figure it out, it helps you narrow your scope to start solving it. 

Analysis is the next step of problem-solving. Now that you’ve identified the problem, analytical skills help you look at what potential solutions there might be.

“The goal of analysis isn’t to solve a problem, actually — it’s to better understand it because that’s where the real solution will be found,” Gretchen Skalka, owner of Career Insights Consulting, says. “Looking at a problem through the lens of impartiality is the only way to get a true understanding of it from all angles.”

Decision-Making

Once you’ve figured out where the problem is coming from and what solutions are, it’s time to decide on the best way to go forth. Decision-making skills help you determine what resources are available, what a feasible action plan entails, and what solution is likely to lead to success.

On a Resume

Employers looking for problem-solving skills might include the word “problem-solving” or other synonyms like “ critical thinking ” or “analytical skills” in the job description.

“I would add ‘buzzwords’ you can find from the job descriptions or LinkedIn endorsements section to filter into your resume to comply with the ATS,” Matthew Warzel, CPRW resume writer, advises. Warzel recommends including these skills on your resume but warns to “leave the soft skills as adjectives in the summary section. That is the only place soft skills should be mentioned.”

On the other hand, you can list hard skills separately in a skills section on your resume .

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In a Cover Letter or an Interview

Explaining your problem-solving skills in an interview can seem daunting. You’re required to expand on your process — how you identified a problem, analyzed potential solutions, and made a choice. As long as you can explain your approach, it’s okay if that solution didn’t come from a professional work experience.

“Young professionals shortchange themselves by thinking only paid-for solutions matter to employers,” Skalka says. “People at the genesis of their careers don’t have a wealth of professional experience to pull from, but they do have relevant experience to share.”

Aaron Case, career counselor and CPRW at Resume Genius, agrees and encourages early professionals to share this skill. “If you don’t have any relevant work experience yet, you can still highlight your problem-solving skills in your cover letter,” he says. “Just showcase examples of problems you solved while completing your degree, working at internships, or volunteering. You can even pull examples from completely unrelated part-time jobs, as long as you make it clear how your problem-solving ability transfers to your new line of work.”

Learn How to Identify Problems

Problem-solving doesn’t just require finding solutions to problems that are already there. It’s also about being proactive when something isn’t working as you hoped it would. Practice questioning and getting curious about processes and activities in your everyday life. What could you improve? What would you do if you had more resources for this process? If you had fewer? Challenge yourself to challenge the world around you.

Think Digitally

“Employers in the modern workplace value digital problem-solving skills, like being able to find a technology solution to a traditional issue,” Case says. “For example, when I first started working as a marketing writer, my department didn’t have the budget to hire a professional voice actor for marketing video voiceovers. But I found a perfect solution to the problem with an AI voiceover service that cost a fraction of the price of an actor.”

Being comfortable with new technology — even ones you haven’t used before — is a valuable skill in an increasingly hybrid and remote world. Don’t be afraid to research new and innovative technologies to help automate processes or find a more efficient technological solution.

Collaborate

Problem-solving isn’t done in a silo, and it shouldn’t be. Use your collaboration skills to gather multiple perspectives, help eliminate bias, and listen to alternative solutions. Ask others where they think the problem is coming from and what solutions would help them with your workflow. From there, try to compromise on a solution that can benefit everyone.

If we’ve learned anything from the past few years, it’s that the world of work is constantly changing — which means it’s crucial to know how to adapt . Be comfortable narrowing down a solution, then changing your direction when a colleague provides a new piece of information. Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone, whether with your personal routine or trying a new system at work.

Put Yourself in the Middle of Tough Moments

Just like adapting requires you to challenge your routine and tradition, good problem-solving requires you to put yourself in challenging situations — especially ones where you don’t have relevant experience or expertise to find a solution. Because you won’t know how to tackle the problem, you’ll learn new problem-solving skills and how to navigate new challenges. Ask your manager or a peer if you can help them work on a complicated problem, and be proactive about asking them questions along the way.

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Step 1 of 3

Companies always need people to help them find solutions — especially proactive employees who have practical analytical skills and can collaborate to decide the best way to move forward. Whether or not you have experience solving problems in a professional workplace, illustrate your problem-solving skills by describing your research, analysis, and decision-making process — and make it clear that you’re the solution to the employer’s current problems. 

Image Credit: Christina Morillo / Pexels 

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Another phrase for "problem solving"

I've read through some past posts and see a lot of advice on giving examples instead of saying "I'm good at problem solving." Generally, I agree. However, I'm in IT and run a Technical Services Team and receive escalated cases all day long. There aren't just simple examples. I don't bandage the problem, I dive in and find the root cause. I engage other teams, when necessary. I encourage my team to do the same - don't solve and move on, dig in to find the root and solve it so well that it won't happen again.

Any recommendations on how to say that in three words? ;-) Okay, maybe a short phrase?

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Why arresting Matthew Perry's alleged drug suppliers won't solve anything

If you’ve ever seen a newborn bird or mouse, their skin is so thin it’s translucent. It’s difficult to imagine the vulnerability of such a creature, so new to the world. They need constant protection. Any exposure might kill them.

When the drugs are gone, addicts have no skin. We are that vulnerable. Our eyes stay shut tight, as even the sunlight hurts.

If Matthew Perry was like me , and I think he was, he couldn’t survive the world without help. He was just as vulnerable. As I read the contents of his toxicology report , I thought, He just hurt too much .

We don’t feel vulnerable to drugs, but to feeling. We can’t stand it after being numb so long.

The false narratives surrounding addiction in our nation keep us sick.

On Thursday, news broke that five people, including Perry’s assistant and doctors, were charged with providing him the ketamine that led to his accidental overdose in 2023. “They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry,” proclaimed U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “But they did it anyways. In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well being.”

It enraged me. I understand why charging these people may seem like a good idea. Text messages between two of the doctors indeed show a deep callousness toward Perry, whom they refer to as “a moron” as they speculate about their potential payday.

But the false narratives surrounding addiction in our nation keep us sick. Arresting Perry’s suppliers is not a solution to addiction. It’s smoke and mirrors; a PR tactic meant to convince Americans our government is doing something about the problem.

The truth is addiction is a terrible and mysterious disorder of the brain . Philip Seymour Hoffman, Heath Ledger, Prince, Whitney Houston and Matthew Perry did not survive it.

Inexplicably, I did — so far. I’ve been off heroin for many years.

But if I were to overdose tomorrow, the Drug Enforcement Administration would not be dispatched to investigate. I am not in the public eye and don’t have a fan base. Law enforcement doesn’t need to prove to anyone they’re doing something about my death. I’d be just one more statistic.

I also can’t imagine any dealer considering a career change because of these arrests. The market for drugs is like any other, a question of supply and demand . If the five people who helped Perry procure drugs hadn’t come through, he would have found five others who would. He had the money to do so.

Not everyone does.

Addiction is a medical issue , not a moral one. What does “justice” look like? Arresting a doctor here or a personal assistant there? This sort of targeted prosecution is the flimsiest of Band-Aids. It implies the matter has been closed, and it enables society to bypass our responsibility — both to Perry and to each other.

How do we convince the American people to invest in evidence-based drug treatments for addicts when other patients can’t get the basic health coverage they need? France cut heroin overdoses by almost 80% , a stunning success rate. But it has health care for all and centers devoted to not just getting addicts off drugs, but also to providing therapy and job training.

There’s another aspect of this tragedy that is difficult to convey, and even more difficult to accept. And that is the notion of what is and isn’t help. I’ve been dope sick before, and it’s a hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

There’s another aspect of this tragedy that is difficult to convey, and even more difficult to accept. And that is the notion of what is and isn’t help.

Perry asked his longtime live-in assistant for relief; according to court documents , the assistant administered three injections of ketamine between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the day of the actor’s death. I can’t imagine Perry wanting that assistant punished for fulfilling his requests. (And of course, now we’ll never be able to ask.)

I don’t expect everyone to understand an impulse that isn’t rational. But for addicts, help is often only one thing: more of what kills us.

If we lived in a nation that recognized addiction as the disorder of the brain it is proven to be; if we provided medical support not just to addicts, but to all Americans; and if we finally gave up the yoke of puritanism and accepted the medical science surrounding addiction treatment, I might say: Go ahead. Arrest the dealers.

But we do not live in such a nation.

When our government cracked down on doctors for overprescribing with no other solutions in place, some addicts looked for relief on the streets. Some killed themselves. People in chronic pain were stranded. Illegal fentanyl killed hundreds of thousands .

Should Kamala Harris become our next president, I hope she has the wherewithal to rewrite our addiction policy. In the meantime, the men and women who fed Perry’s addiction will go to jail — probably. Perry’s assistant has already pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. The public’s thirst for revenge may be slaked temporarily. But nothing else will change.

Elizabeth Grey is an American essayist and a Substack bestseller with her newsletter, Elizabeth Grey Writes . She’s presently putting the final touches on her memoir, "Ghost Week."