Below we list the top ten job skills that every viable candidate should have.
Not all jobs call for the same skills, but for every career path there are core skills that every new hire should possess. Whether the vacancy is for a millwright, entry level sales person, a marketing manager or an engineer, those main core skills should be at the forefront. Not only do they reveal growth potential, but they will also give an indication as to how flexible a new hire will be, especially as roles and responsibilities change or shift due to organizational growth or downsizing.
1. Communication
Employees at any level should be able to effectively communicate and share their ideas clearly and confidently in a verbal or written capacity. Good use of language, proper grammar and sentence structure are required when one of the most common forms of business communications is through electronic mail. Honing this one skill and mastering it will put any good candidate at the top of the list.
2. Works effectively in a team.
Team work may sound cliché, but it is essentially the backbone of any successful organization Team work doesn’t simply mean that every person executes their role; it is the ability to execute projects from start to finish by leveraging the skills of your team and ensuring that each is used to its best ability for the success of the organization. A strong team that is in sync, can build empires from the ground up…without a strong team, the road to success can be long and full of obstacles.
3. Leadership
Good team work cannot be achieved without great leadership skills. Someone who possesses the ability to harness, and utilize successfully, the skills of their peers is a great asset. Good leadership requires an individual to make the tough decisions and be able to execute and deliver using the resources available to them.
4. Self-Motivated
An individual that can motivate themselves, especially in difficult situations or environments, is a great asset due to their ability to get the job done despite it. It is a combination of determination to not only get things done and make things happen, but to also constantly look for better ways of doing things. Self-motivation is key to achieving a goal or project when you lack support or resources – making it a great skill to have.
5. Time Management
Successful time management is a great skill for any potential new hire due to the sometimes fluctuating amount of work an employee has to complete. Manage time effectively, prioritising tasks and being able to work to deadlines is a skill that not everyone can master.
Rounding out the top ten are being flexible, having good organization skills, working well under pressure, having a good work ethic and finally – a positive attitude. Choosing a candidate to fulfill a new role is not an easy process and can sometimes take a few rounds of interviews and testing to eventually choose the right candidate. A new hires foundation should be built on these dynamic and versatile skills, they may not possess them all at the beginning but over time they can learn to adapt and grow by mastering their existing skills and learning new ones.
