Are you currently on a job hunt? Perhaps you’ve been searching for a new role for months and are unsure what employers are looking for in a new-hire. You should know there are some specific skills employers look for regardless of the position or industry.
Highlighting your most marketable skills on your resume and your cover letter will allow recruiters to see what you offer as a potential employee. Listing the right skills will make you more marketable and will help you stand out among other applicants.
Top Skills Across Industries
Specialized jobs require specialized skills. However, there is also a set of hard and soft skills that can cover all professions and positions.
These skills are considered essential to being an effective employee. Make yourself more appealing to any recruiter by working on the skills employers look for listed below.
Teamwork Skills
Would you consider yourself a good teammate? Point out to the companies you are applying for that you can collaborate with others by adding “teamwork” to your resume. Teamwork skills are involved in most industries, so it is important to tell an employer that you work well with others. Teamwork skills also highlight your ability to communicate and be responsible.
Computer and Analytical Skills
Almost every position will require the use of a computer in some regard. Your technical skills will have to match the position for which you are applying.
Even if the position requires minimal computer usage, it is still important to add this to your resume to show you have basic computer skills. If the position you are applying to requires advanced skills, you should add these specific assets to your resume. Your skills may include spreadsheets, social media, and even email communication.
Leadership Skills
There’s no I in team, but there is one in leadership. Being a leader is an important skill to portray on your resume. Leadership skills are helpful for any position and any career level. Managing a team is important, but it’s not the only skill that shows leadership ability.
It also includes being able to contribute to a project as a team leader, motivate others, and complete tasks on time. Examples of specific leadership skills include dependability, active listening, and the ability to receive feedback efficiently.
Organizational Skills
Organizational skills are essential for productivity and achieving goals. These skills are beneficial in any professional industry and are sought after by all employers. Being organized allows you to better manage your time and meet deadlines. Skills that go into being well-organized include critical thinking, attention to detail, and planning.
Problem-solving Skills
Problem-solving skills shows that a candidate can manage challenging situations at work in a thoughtful, constructive manner. This skill is even more critical for employees who will be working with a team. Other skills that help with problem-solving include communication, research, and decision-making skills.
Strong Work Ethic
It is vital to highlight your work ethic when applying to any job. Companies want an employee who will work their hardest and go above and beyond their usual job duties when necessary. A great work ethic also means a candidate can complete tasks and manage their work efficiently without being micromanaged.
Communication Skills
Similar to the skills above, being a good communicator is useful in any job. Employers want someone who understands what they are being told and can convey meaning to other employees effectively.
This skill is even more important if you are applying to a role in which you will be working with customers. Other skills that are related to communication include writing, listening, and negotiating. These are all necessary functions in any position.
Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills help you interact well with others. These are especially useful in roles that deal directly with customers, or if you are in a position that requires networking.
With good interpersonal skills, you can build relationships, handle difficult situations, and communicate effectively with customers, managers, and co-workers. Specific skills that can be described as interpersonal include flexibility, empathy, and motivation.
Conclusion: Update Your Resume to Beat Other Job Candidates in the Job Market
Hiring managers will be looking for many different skills, but these are the top strengths in all industries. Make sure that you are using your resume to highlight these skills.
Creating a separate list of skills on your resume is advised, as this is a clear way for employers to see your areas of talent. Additionally, by adding these desirable skills to your resume, you will become more marketable when trying to work at Deloitte, Apple, or any other top tech company.
Although these skills are essential, make sure you are also highlighting those that are directly related to the job. For instance, if you are applying for a position as a nurse, you will need to make sure that you list your medical certifications and knowledge.
It’s also advised to bring up the skills listed during your job interview. Find a way to highlight them by giving an example of a time that you used a certain skill. For instance, you could show your strong work ethic by referring to an occasion at a previous job where you were faced with a problem that you overcame due to your work ethic.
Remember, they want to see how you demonstrated the skill to find a solution. You have the skill set. You just needed a quick reminder of how to market it.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
