Every employer is looking in each candidate for a specific set of technical skills necessary to perform a particular job. But beyond these job-specific technical skills, certain skills are commonly required by employers. Most job-seekers have these skills to some extent, and some may have these skills but with weaknesses in areas that can be improved through training, professional development, or obtaining coaching/mentoring from someone who understands these skills. The following are the main skills any employer is looking for.
1. Teamwork: Getting Along & Resolving Conflicts
Work with others as a teammate, because so many jobs involve working in one or more work-groups, you must have the ability to work with others as a team and in a professional manner while attempting to achieve a common goal.
2. Positive Work Ethic: Dedication, Hard Work and Loyalty
Completing assigned work: Employers seek workers who love what they do and will keep at it until they solve the problem and get the job done. Positive work ethic is directly related to productivity. Employers want employees who will have a strong devotion to the company, even at times when the company is not necessarily loyal to its employees. Examples would be saying yes when called into work or always doing extras for the company.
3. Multi-Tasking Skills
Deals with the ability to manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.
4. Dependable and Reliable: Getting to Work and Completing the Assigned Work on Time
Getting to work on time: There’s no question that all employers desire employees who will arrive to work every day on time ready to work, and who will take responsibility for their actions. Getting to work on time is a learned behavior and a skill that needs to be developed in an earlier stage (School or College).
5. Integrity: Honesty, Morality and Taking Responsibility
Be honest and do what is the right thing to do: Employers probably respect personal integrity more than any other values, especially in light of the many recent corporate scandals.
6. Adaptability and Flexibility
Adaptability deals with openness to new ideas and concepts, to working independently or as part of a team, and to carrying out multiple tasks or projects. Flexibility is whether or not the employee is able to work at the desired time. Can he/she be flexible on the schedule and work when needed?
7. Initiative: Working Independently
Taking the initiative and working independently means to go above and beyond what is expected in the workplace and to do so on your own with little or no supervision.
8. Professionalism: Positive Attitude and Self-Motivation
An achiever who is highly organized, dedicated, and committed to doing the best job possible in a professional manner. Employers look for a positive attitude. The job-seekers who get hired and the employees who get promoted are the ones with drive and passion, and those who demonstrate this eagerness through their words and actions.
9. Professionalism: self-presentation
Professionalism also includes self-presentation and basic communication skills as a resource to help in achieving your goals at workplace,grooming, hygiene, and the way a person dresses for work is really important. Also, the basic communication skills such as the verbal skills, email and telephone etiquette and the non-verbal communication such as attitude and body language are major as well. Be aware that body Language reveals many things about a person.
10. Interpersonal Abilities: Diversity Awareness
Will you fit-in and get along with others at work? The ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate, and ease conflict with co-workers is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day. 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.
11. Self Confidence Skills
Look at it this way, if you don’t believe in yourself, in your unique mix of skills, education, and abilities, why should a prospective employer? Be confident in yourself and what you can offer employers.
12. Common Sense
Common sense is a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things, which is shared by nearly all people, and can be reasonably expected of nearly all people without any need for debate. The best way to have such skill is by thinking before acting, if you do so you are having the time to find out the best and smartest answer possible.