This tutorial will enable you to understand and explain the key skills employers always look for.
78% of employers rank skills as the most important factor when recruiting. Research shows they continually ask for evidence of the same 8 skills. All employers will have a priority list, but rest assured it will be one of the 8.
So, when writing your CV or cover letter you must ensure you consider the skills they will want to see. The same principle will apply to your interview.
Tutorial
The 8 employability skills you need to be aware of, be able to talk about and promote in your CV, cover letter and interview are:
Analysis & Decision-making skills |
Solving problems logically | Performing research & applying findings | Displaying numeracy skills | Taking informed decisions | Demonstrating accountability |
Commercial Awareness skills |
Gaining business & industry insight | Performing entrepreneurial activity | Understanding company structures, products, services, ethos, challenges |
Creativity skills |
Developing ideas, new options and innovative solutions | Challenging the accepted way of doing things with a positive outcome | Blue-sky thinking |
Customer Focus skills |
Getting to know a team, department, client, or prospect | Empathising with customer needs | Anticipating, influencing and fulfilling customer needs | Putting the customer first |
Influence & Communication skills |
Displaying verbal, logical & written skills | Persuading & influencing others | Active listening skills | Presentation skills |
Leadership & Team-working skills |
Developing & maintaining relationships (networking) | Working as part of a team | Team building | Motivating & leading people |
Planning & Organisation skills |
Structuring & prioritising activity or tasks | Breaking activity down into manageable & measurable parts | Successful project delivery |
Self-management skills |
Demonstrating initiative, resourcefulness, focus, self-reliance, motivation | Taking control of own learning | Displaying integrity & professionalism |
The good news is nobody expects you to be great at all 8 BUT employers do expect you to be able to articulate your experiences in relation to the 2 or 3 skills they really need.
Take Away Points
1. Understand there are 8 skills employers will need from their employees.
2. In a job application, they will look for evidence of the most important 2,3 or 4 skills.
3. Spend time thinking about your skills, make sure you strongest skills are clear in your CV
4. Be ready in interview to talk about any of the above.
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