Are you employable?

Let's first take a look at employability. The Confederation of Business and Industry describes employability as "a combination of traits, skills, and knowledge that all employees should possess to guarantee they have the capability of being productive in the workplace—to the advantage of themselves, their employer, and the wider economy." Simply said, employability is the combination of skills, traits, attitudes, and behaviours necessary to land a job, keep it, and succeed in it.

So how can you tell if you possess the employability abilities needed for a given profession? Rest assured that your prior education and experience may have given you numerous transferrable skills.

The list of the top 10 skills that companies are looking for can be found below, and it can be a great resource for determining your current skill set:

• Speaking clearly and authoritatively is a sign that one is proficient in spoken communication.
• Teamwork: Engage in confident group work.
• Commercial awareness: Recognize how the organisation is affected by the market.
• Investigative and analytical skills: Consistently gather data to establish facts and principles; capable of solving problems
• Ability to take the initiative, recognise possibilities, and be proactive in putting forward ideas and solutions
• Drive: The ability to be persistent in finding new ways to accomplish goals and to get things done.
• Writing clearly and concisely is a requirement for written communication.
• Ability to organise and plan actions and carry them out successfully
• Flexibility: The ability to successfully adjust to new circumstances and surroundings.
• Effective time management, the ability to prioritise work, and the ability to fulfil deadlines.

You can think of instances when you have used the aforementioned talents in your past roles or when you were in school by determining which of the aforementioned skills you already possess. Making a table or list of the aforementioned competencies and providing examples of how you may show each one to a potential employer may be helpful.

Think about the abilities that a potential employer is most likely to be looking for when you are searching for jobs. Frequently, you will discover that they have noted the essential competencies they seek in the job description.

The quantity of transferable talents that employers look for can occasionally seem overwhelming, but we have supplied the following list of "impact" terms that you may want to use to assist refresh your memory and also add some extra emphasis to your examples.

• Personal impact/confidence - Projects to others a confident, strong, professional, and positive image that commands respect.
• Lifelong learning - Constantly learning new things. creates the skills required for current and upcoming positions.
• Stress tolerance: Ability to continue performing well under stress.
• Integrity: Upholds confidentiality and follows rules and regulations.
• Independence - Capable of working on one's own initiative and taking ownership of one's opinions and activities.
• Professionalism - Takes into account the calibre of the work; encourages and enables others.
• Action planning: The ability to choose and then carry out the measures necessary to accomplish specific goals.
• Making decisions - Capable of selecting the best course of action; weighs alternatives using logic and information; and offers solutions.
• Dependable – Will do the task and do it correctly.
• Hardworking - Takes pride in their work and works diligently to see it through.
• Making things happen without waiting to be told what to do is being proactive (can show initiative).
• Cooperative — Effectively collaborates with others to complete tasks.
• Enthusiastic: Displays a sincere desire for a position.
• Being on time and having everything ready when needed.
• Integrity: Upright and honest behaviour. You and your work are both trustworthy.

Here is an example of how a student could show that they have improved their problem-solving and analytical abilities while taking a legal course.

"While I was studying, I developed my ability to assess issues in a variety of fields. I am aware that it is frequently best to analyse a problem and deconstruct it into its constituent parts in order to address it successfully. After that, you can think about the professional and most efficient course of action. I have good analytical and critical thinking skills thanks to my schooling. I recognise that legal work frequently calls for a rational and systematic approach.”

Explaining that you are determined to complete projects, are adept at making things happen, and look for more effective ways to do things will help you demonstrate your drive. What would you answer if someone asked you about a difficult scenario you faced or a noteworthy accomplishment you made? Your response does not have to be something you accomplished in a professional setting; it might be an athletic or academic triumph.

Then, you may use your examples to emphasise which of these talents you already possess in your CV and covering letter and how they helped you thrive in your past employment. This is a helpful practise to do in order to get ready for an interview. Your examples will demonstrate to recruiters that you are capable of assuming full responsibility in your new role right away.

ongoing instruction

An employable talent in and of itself can constitute lifelong learning. Employers will see that you are enthusiastic and motivated if you are prepared to expand on your current talents and learn new ones.

Employers can tell that you will be able to benefit their business if you possess a wide range of employable abilities. The most important thing is to approach your task with positivity. You will always be employable if you are prepared to participate and encourage the desire to make things happen.

If you need assistance customising your CV for a Legal Secretary position, please email DJM? at [email protected] . We will also provide you with information on how to get work, including all the help you need to get to the interview stage.