Do you have Employability Skills?

Employability Skills are what most employers are looking for when they consider hiring an individual.  There have been numerous studies conducted to identify these skills which can also be referred to as soft skills.  The great news is that most of us possess some or all of these skills.  If we are lacking one of these skills, there are several resources out there to strengthen these skills.  This will show that you are aware of your opportunities for improvement and you are being proactive in addressing them.  So what is this recipe of skills?  Here you go:

• Communications Skills (listening, verbal, written). By far, the one skill mentioned most often by employers is the ability to listen, write, and speak effectively. Successful communication is critical in business.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
• Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing.

 

• Analytical/Research Skills. Deals with your ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and identify key issues that need to be addressed.
• Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Highly analytical thinking with demonstrated talent for identifying, scrutinizing, improving, and streamlining complex work processes

 

• Computer/Technical Literacy. Almost all jobs now require some basic understanding of computer hardware and software, especially word processing, spreadsheets, and email.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering wide variety of applications.

 

• Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities. Deals with your ability to manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.

 

• Interpersonal Abilities. The ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate, and mitigate conflict with co-workers is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Proven relationship-builder with unsurpassed interpersonal skills

 

• Leadership/Management Skills. While there is some debate about whether leadership is something people are born with, these skills deal with your ability to take charge and manage your co-workers.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Goal-driven leader who maintains a productive climate and confidently motivates, mobilizes, and coaches employees to meet high performance standards.

 

• Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness. There is possibly no bigger issue in the workplace than diversity, and job-seekers must demonstrate a sensitivity and awareness to other people and cultures.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Personable professional whose strengths include cultural sensitivity and an ability to build rapport with a diverse workforce in multicultural settings

 

• Planning/Organizing. Deals with your ability to design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks within an allotted time frame. Also involves goal-setting.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Results-driven achiever with exemplary planning and organizational skills, along with a high degree of detail orientation.

 

• Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity. Involves the ability to find solutions to problems using your creativity, reasoning, and past experiences along with the available information and resources.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Innovative problem-solver who can generate workable solutions and resolve complaints

 

• Teamwork. Because so many jobs involve working in one or more work-groups, you must have the ability to work with others in a professional manner while attempting to achieve a common goal.
  Sample bullet point describing this skill:
  
  • Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues

References: Quintcareers.com by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., and Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.