To be successful in any role, aside from education and experience, you need to demonstrate skills that can be used in a variety of jobs, known as ‘soft skills.’ These are skills and attitudes that can help you to work well with others and make a positive contribution to the organization you work for. Here is a list of the top 6 skills employers want when hiring:
1.Communication
Everything you do in the workplace results from communication. Therefore, the ability to effectively communicate is one of the top mentioned and most frequently asked for skills by employers. They are looking for someone who has strong listening, verbal, and written skills. You need to be able to express your ideas clearly and confidently with colleagues and clients in the workplace. In today’s world, that also means communicating effectively through various mediums such as email and over the phone.
2. Teamwork
Being able to work with others in a team and achieve a common goal is a crucial skill. Many jobs today require you to work in small groups to complete tasks. Therefore, being able to get along with colleagues to complete projects is one of the main skills employers are looking for. The employer wants to know how you have worked as a team player in the past to demonstrate your ability to work with others effectively.
3. Problem-Solving
Employers want people who are motivated to take on challenges with minimal direction. The ability to find solutions to problems using your own analytical thinking and resources is a skill employers want. Employers want someone who can use problem-solving skills to complete tasks and come up with solutions.
Next week we will take a closer look at three more skills that employers want when they are hiring. In the meantime, be sure to update your resume to highlight the ‘soft skills’ you possess to make yourself more marketable to employers.
