Professional Skills Everyone Should Have in the Workplace

Like Liam Neeson, professionals have a certain set of skills. These important professional skills are rarely displayed in a job description. However, they are indispensable to succeed in the workplace. They can consist of soft skills or hybrid skills, which are skills that combine hard skills and soft skills.  

So, what does it mean to be a professional? Technically, a professional is a person with specialized skills who is both engaged and qualified for a profession. A professional also has the education to back up their profession. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, and scientists, among many others, are all considered professionals. 

While professionals must have the qualifications and ability to do their jobs, they must also have other, particular skills. Discover and review some essential skills that every professional in the workplace should possess using the lsit below.

Leadership Skills 

The definition of leadership is “the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal.” Whether you are in charge of a group of people at your company or not, leadership skills are still applicable to any role. A leader will also be able to lead and inspire others in any setting. Practicing accountability, goal-setting, decision-making, and positivity are all examples of ways to show your leadership skills. 

Communication Skills 

At the top of any skills list are written, verbal, and non-verbal communication. You might not have realized it, but email correspondence falls into this skill category. 

All professionals will send and receive emails at one point in their career. You must be able to write clear and concise messages within your company. Brainstorming, asking for help, and handshaking are all other examples of using communication skills in the workplace. 

Time Management Skills 

One of the most essential skills of a professional is merely showing up on time or even early. Professionals who show up to work early are seen as more ambitious and productive than their co-workers. Earning a good reputation is as simple as setting your alarm a few minutes earlier. 

Budgeting your time is extremely important in any career, and while punctuality is essential, there is more to time management skills than just showing up to work on time. You must practice time management continually throughout your day through project management and by meeting various deadlines. 

Interpersonal Skills 

These skills are the ones that allow you to work efficiently with a wide variety of people, including your manager, colleagues, vendors, and more. Additionally, providing customer service to customers requires interpersonal skills as each interaction will be different, and you will have to adapt to the customer. 

Interpersonal skills can be demonstrated through honesty, patience, and integrity, among other ways. Interpersonal skills will also play a role in how you network with others, therefore affecting your career growth. 

Flexibility Skills 

The only constant is change. Therefore, remaining flexible in the workplace is crucial to your success. Project deadlines will change, colleagues and managers will have different opinions than yours, and you might not always get that hour lunch that you were promised. Problem-solving, the ability to change your mind, and perceptiveness are all ways to prove to your boss that you’re capable of being flexible. 

Teamwork Skills 

At this point in your life, you probably know what it means to be a teammate, whether from being the football team captain or from t-ball when you were five-years-old. We learn teamwork skills throughout our lifetime, and we can apply those skills in the workplace. 

Working toward a common goal is the root of being a teammate, and in the office, you’re all working toward the company’s common goal. Sharing responsibilities in the office and working together with many different people are also applicable to teamwork in the office. Team-building exercises will often be used in an office setting to bring colleagues together and enhance office atmosphere. 

Put Your Skills to the Test 

A resume is an opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective company. You are probably already highlighting your job timeline and other hard skills, but should also highlight your soft skills and hybrid skills. 

While these skills may not be listed on the job description, you should include them on your resume. The above skills are just some skills to include in both your resume’s summary and work history section. 

Another aesthetically pleasing way to add them to your resume is by incorporating a key skills section. This section should have specific skills that are relevant to your abilities and job industry. Among the ones listed above, these could also include types of skills such as computer and software skills. 

Most importantly, the skills on your resume should be job specific, meaning they are tailored to the job you are applying for. A resume builder is a great resource to use as it will allow you to easily and efficiently create different versions of your resume and then download them to .pdf or .doc versions. 

Always focus on the specific skills needed for the role as recruiters will be looking for these in your resume and cover letter. Altering your resume for each job also shows recruiters that you care about the position and will take the time to change your resume for the post. 

You can also use your cover letter as an opportunity to show off your skills. You can list a few of these skills in the body paragraph along with examples, if applicable, of how you use them in your current or previous position. 

Finally, the ultimate way to put your skills on display will be at your interview. Your outfit, demeanor, and the way you treat others will all immediately be a reflection of your professionalism.