What are essential skills needed for workplace readiness?
Q: I just graduated and have been focused more on my education than actual work experience. I am ready to start a job search and face some challenges when talking with employers. I feel like I am getting passed over for job offers because I lack certain skills employers need. What are some of the top skills that I could emphasize when applying for jobs or meeting employers?
A: Completing an educational goal demonstrates persistence and your ability to achieve results. The workplace is constantly changing, as you probably have experienced during your search. However, some skills remain constant, which will always attract hiring decision-makers.
You need to understand the business market well, regardless of your field of interest. It helps to know what drives business. For instance, when you talk with a potential employer and demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about their industry through your questions and answers, it sends a message that you are serious and care.
Take the time to look at the skills you have developed while in school and list them. The skills you used in school can be applied to your career when they are related to work settings. Here are some skills employers share: communication skills, teamwork, leadership, customer service, working under pressure, and problem-solving, among others.
Regardless of your job focus, these skills underscore a business’s ability to remain profitable and operational. As a recent graduate, look at how you have used these essential skills in the classroom working on a team project or perhaps on temporary jobs in summer.
On your resume and online profile, look for ways to highlight these general types of skills. While your classroom projects might not have produced a profit, your ability to complete a goal on time and communicate your findings are all skills needed for the workplace.
These skills are often referred to as transferrable skills, and over time you will develop a broader set of skills that can be moved to new career paths. Transferrable skills can be described as technical or soft skills that can easily be adapted to different industries. For instance, listening is a soft skill that all employers need from employees.
Employers are attracted to candidates who are willing to be flexible with a confident attitude. Consider focusing on the skills you do have rather than what you lack. You may not have a strong work history, but you likely have more skills than you acknowledge.
Kimberly Thompson, M.Ed., is a National Board-Certified Counselor and Career Coach. Send questions to kim@careerrescue.com or visit her blog at chron.com/jobs.