I find it difficult to put my thoughts in to writing, I was asked at an interview to "Describe how you would apply your skills, training and experience in this role" and I was blank, how should I answer this question in future? (2009-10-29)

It sounds like the question is trying to determine if your previous skills, training and work experience is appropriate for this job. If it is, the question should almnost answer itself because you know what you do and you know that it matches what they are looking for. But if your experience does not match the requirements of the new job, the only way you could give a good answer to this question is to sidestep the issues, avoid a direct answer, and somehow try to find something in your work experience and training that looks like a good match for this job that is worth mentioning.

I'd have to know what kind of job you are applying for & what kind of work you did in the past...,

Probably you were provided with a job description as well as a list of tasks involved and required skills. Look at those and think of your past jobs and find similarities. If you weren't provided with such things, consider what you know of the job and try to make them up.

For instance, you say you're looking for retail work and you're done retail work before. So, let's say stocking shelves is one of the tasks listed. Have you stocked shelves before? Where and for how long? How and why were you successful? Let's say customer service is one of the skills listed. Have you served customers before? Where and for how long? How did you develop in this area? How and why were you successful? (patience? pleasant manner that puts people at ease? true desire to help people? good communication skills? ability to drive to the point?)

You might consider brining a small notebook along so you can brainstorm and organize your thoughts before filling in the application.

Tell them you can do everything yet maybe are not able to like doing anything!

Its a common sense question. How would you? Since you have given no indication of your past skills, I can go no further. I have a selling background. If I went for a different typ of job I would say that I have great people skills, know how to provide answers to questions thrown at me on the spot and point out great qualities in any given item. If that was something that met with the current job needs.

I'll give you a great answer to a question that interviewers are now throwing out left and right. Here it is. They say: We have a lot of applicants for this job, why should we hire you? My answer: Because if you do, you won't have to replace me. They love that one.

I have done retail and admin work, I am looking to do some more retail work

Just write things like, "I want to talk good, and work good too". I'm only kidding. These questions they ask , they've learned from reading pop psychology books on, "HOW TO INTERVIEW PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND TRIP THEM UP". It's all a game. The same writer will come out with a book called, "HOW TO NOT GET TRIPPED UP IN A JOB INTERVIEW. Just prepare and memerize in a few words how your skills......