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Solving a Rubik's cube and tackling the tasks of a job are similar in that they both involve challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome in order to succeed. Successful solutions require attitude, diligence and a willingness to learn, whether it's solving a job task or a Rubik's cube. Solving a Rubik's cube may require a range of skills and abilities, which may be similar to those required to resolve any job task. Examples include the following:

Mathematical thinking

Rubik's Cube is essentially a mathematical puzzle and the logic of solving it is based on geometric symmetry, permutations and combinations. Since 43 quintillion permutations are possible on a single 3x3x3 cube, players often rely on algorithms and abstract algebraic concepts such as group theory to solve the cube.

Visualization

Visualisation refers to the imagination of the visual world as observed. The ability to visualise and manipulate 3D objects such as a Rubik's cube requires such visualisation. To successfully solve the cube, one must visualise each move in the mind, but also anticipate the next possible move.

Memory and pattern recognition

The Rubik's Cube tests both memory and pattern recognition. Although the logic of solving the cube is mathematical, you need to remember the algorithms, notations and steps involved. In addition, the solver must be able to recognise patterns while trying to complete the puzzle in order to predict the correct steps.

Finger dexterity

The Rubik's cube consists of three layers and the player solves each layer one by one. Since the middle pieces do not move, attention must be focused on the middle and corner pieces to solve the puzzle. The pieces of the cube must be moved with the fingers in a logical and purposeful way.

As with the Rubik's cube, the skills and abilities needed to solve the different tasks can be identified. These need to be mapped out and then it is possible to determine which job would be ideal for whom. In fact, PractiWork® does exactly that: it looks at what skills and abilities are needed for a job and then assesses the individual to see who is suited to the job they might be able to thrive in. Fit is an important keyword here, just as much as the squares of the cube has to fit to each other in harmony, so too must our skills fit to our chosen career path.

Rubik Expert

Let's play around with the idea of what a professional Rubik's Cube player's evaluation sheet might look like! Above, we have described the features needed to solve a Rubik's cube. The following example contains strictly hypothetical data. Suppose there is a database that tells you exactly what level each skill needs to be in order to solve the cube. For real jobs such databases already exist. If we know what level of each characteristic is required, we can test the individual's level of these by using different tests and tasks. After comparing the two, it is then possible to estimate how suitable an individual would be as a professional Rubik's cube solver. The figure below illustrates this.

If they do not want to become a professional Rubik's Cube player, there are other potential real career paths available. For example an architect:*

Of course, every job has different requirements, and to get the most accurate picture we should learn as much as possible about the individual. The more we know about them, the more jobs we can choose from. The above is of course only a playful example, but it shows how PractiWork's system can explore career matches.

Join us at BETT to learn more about your abilities and skills and how you can use them to shape your future.

 Source: https://cubing.co/blog/logic-rubiks-cube