7 essential skills employers look for

Each industry has its own unique set of required technical skills, but there are a set of 7 soft skills that are essential for any employer. Adding these skills to your CV and highlighting them during the interview will make you stand out among other candidates.

1- Communication

This is a top skill that is almost always needed. Communication skills come in two forms: written and verbal. Employers look for team members who can interpret information and effectively communicate it. Even if the position you’re applying for doesn’t require you to deal with external stakeholders, you still need to be able to communicate with your colleagues, which brings us to the ability to work in a team. If you can work in a team, then you must have a lot of people skills to go along with it. Communication, listening, collaboration, delegation, and empathy are a few examples. Showing your employers that you can work in a team assures them that you can work with different kinds of people effortlessly.?

2- Leadership Skills

Showing leadership skills is essential, even if you won’t be taking on a managerial role. Employers want to see your general willingness to lead, work in a team, and take the initiative. What makes it a favorable skill is that it automatically encompasses several skills under it, like listening, empathy, accountability,? social intelligence and proactivity to self-lead.

3- Problem-Solving

This is a skill that’s not always easy to acquire because it has a partially inherent nature. This is why employers will be impressed to see someone with problem-solving skills. Especially in today’s fast-evolving world, they would want to see someone who brings smart solutions to the table where business is often faced with complex situations. Problem-solving doesn’t only have to be technical; it can work in work relationships as well, where you smoothly tackle your way through tense situations.

4- Adaptability Skills

The pandemic has greatly changed the dynamics of workplaces and created a shift in the most prioritized skills. Among those skills is the capacity to adapt efficiently. The businesses that were able to survive the pandemic were those whose employees were able to adapt quickly to the situation. In addition, with technology and services evolving rapidly, employers want employees who can adapt to these changes and acquire the knowledge needed to fulfill growing consumer needs.??

5- Working Under Pressure

The capacity to maintain the quality of work delivered even under pressure is never an underrated skill. Employees want to see consistency in your work, either in quality or in sticking to deadlines.?

6- Time Management

This is another all-time top skill. Many people can do the work, but not many people can stick to deadlines and achieve targets.?

7- Decision Making

This is not a skill that everyone has. Having the ability to quickly assess situations and make a decision, even if it’s wrong at times, shows that you are willing to take initiative and don’t mind occasional risks. Thus, you’re someone who can get things done when the situation calls for it.

In conclusion, what all these skills have in common is that they indicate employers want someone who is easy to work with and can efficiently get the work done.