6 Overlooked Professional Skills—And Why You Need Them

It’s an exciting time for the class of 2024 as they start a new chapter. But once all the fanfare of graduating gives way to the realities of the workplace, what then? Are they really ready for the world of work?

Many managers don’t think so. According to a survey by Intelligent.com , 58% of employers believe recent college graduates are not prepared for the workforce—and almost half have had to fire one.

So what’s up with Gen Z college graduates? Are they simply not equipped for the technical aspects of their roles—or is there something else holding them back?

According to the Intelligent.com report, it’s partly a lack of workplace etiquette that is turning so many hiring managers off this generation of workers—along with things like missing deadlines, falling behind on their workload and failing to dress professionally.

It’s rare for anyone to hit the ground running at work, especially those navigating the transition between the classroom to the office. The quality of the company’s onboarding program also plays a significant role in retention and employee experience. But there are a few key skills, apart from the technical qualifications for the role, that new college graduates (and the rest of us) can focus on to improve our chances of success in the workplace.

Here are six of the lesser known (but still vital) professional skills you need for success in the full-time workforce.

1. Human Connection.

This is the simple, yet often overlooked ability to create a true rapport with another person. I believe everyone we interact with is silently asking three questions: do you see me? Do you hear me? And do I matter? If the answer to any of these questions is negative, the chance to connect with that person on a human level is gone.

Without human connection, it’s hard (if not impossible) to get people on board with our vision, build consensus and work together productively. In education, teachers must have a human connection with their students for those young people to move forward in their learning. It’s no different at work, where we all want to feel seen, heard and valued.

Your ability to forge a genuine human connection with people—making good eye contact, practicing active listening, demonstrating empathy and expressing authentic interest in what they are saying—will only become more important as AI gains traction in our workplaces.

2. Teachability.

Here’s one you don’t see very often: the innate humility to admit you don’t know it all. Many times this runs counter to our instincts; we want to appear polished and perfect, all the time. It can be a real challenge to cultivate a teachable attitude.

Being teachable means you are open to feedback—and are willing to act upon it when you do receive it. This goes beyond a mere desire to learn (also important) because it’s more of an attitude. It’s the ability to hear you’re not doing something perfectly without getting offended in the process.

I don’t know if you’ve ever worked with someone who was fundamentally unteachable, but it’s no fun. You can’t say anything to help them get better because they immediately become defensive at the slightest hint that they’re not already performing flawlessly. Don’t be that person. Be teachable.

3. Dependability.

Oh, how hiring managers long for people they can count on! If you’re dependable , that means you “consistently produce high quality work, are punctual, are driven by deadlines, and develop relationships” by helping others. In fact, an overall lack of dependability is one of the biggest beefs employers have with their Gen Z workers.

There could be a lot of factors at play here—maybe managers aren’t communicating expectations clearly to their younger workers, maybe younger workers don’t yet grasp the necessity of deadlines and results in the workplace or maybe there’s been some other type of breakdown. But the fact remains that a dependable worker is hard to find. If you do what you say and follow through every time, you will be hard to replace.

4. Time Management.

It doesn’t sound exciting, but this is a vital skill not just for your productivity at work, but also for your mental health. People who know how to use their time well are less stressed, they tend to have more time for family and friends, they don’t find themselves scrambling to meet deadlines at the last minute and they also have more free time for themselves.

Candidly, time management is the secret hack to having enough time for hobbies and passions. If you can make a schedule for yourself and understand how much time you need for each thing you have to do, you can carve out the time for the things you want to do. You can have it all—if you’ve got a plan for your day. And this is why effective time management is one of the best ways to enjoy better mental health.

5. Failing Well.

How we respond to failure is, ironically, a measure of how much we will accomplish. None of us likes to fail, but it can actually be a more valuable experience than easily succeeding. Failing at something grabs our attention, makes us more relatable, keeps us humble and pushes us to find a better way.

But it’s not enough just to fail at something. We have to be able to experience the disappointment of failing without allowing ourselves to wallow in it. We have to let go of the perfectionism that demands we either perform flawlessly or don’t even try. It’s okay to mess up if you’re committed to giving it your best shot next time.

I say it all the time: I don’t know a successful person who never failed. It’s my own failures that have led me to become the person I am today, but first I had to embrace what they had to teach me. Failure never feels good, but it can be a huge asset. If you can fail well, you will succeed.

6. Risk Taking.

The ability to tolerate a level of risk is at the heart of every new venture. But this isn’t just a skill that entrepreneurs need. We all need the ability to step outside our comfort zone and try new things—things that may not always turn out the way we envision. This goes back to being able to fail well by reframing our failures as powerful learning moments that propel us toward personal and professional growth.

In my own career, I have always lived by the motto, “Say yes and then figure out how.” This has pushed me to achieve things that were far beyond my capability when I first agreed to take them on. I said yes, and then I went to work learning what I needed to learn to accomplish the mission. There was always a chance I wouldn’t be able to nail it, and that low-level discomfort spurred me on. It’s hard to achieve big wins without some level of risk.

Now, take action

As you consider these six skills, it’s a good idea to make an action plan to master the top three you see as most important to your own career path. You can work on these abilities in a variety of ways—learning from a mentor (official or not), finding a good book on the topic, taking a micro-course online or sharing your learning goals with a trusted friend or coworker for extra accountability. What matters is that you take action to enhance your own skillset—and ultimately create the kind of career you’ve always wanted.

• What is leadership?
• Is it really only evident when it's poor?
• What are the different leadership styles—and which one is most effective?

In this episode of the Develop This! podcast, Mark joins host Dennis Fraise for an honest conversation about why great leaders are often servant leaders.

A servant leader shares power, puts the needs of the employees and organization first, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. Instead of the people working to serve the leader, the leader exists to serve the people.

Tune in for how Mark challenges himself to become a better leader every day. Listen now.

Unleashing Passion, Purpose & Performance in Today's Younger Workforce

ABOUT MARK C. PERNA

Mark C. Perna is a generational expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author with a mission to shift the paradigm in workforce development. Mark, who CEOs the strategic consulting firm TFS Results, founded the Education with Purpose & Employment with Passion movement to help communities connect their education, workforce, and economic pipelines. Find out more at MarkCPerna.com .