Top 10 Skills Employers Seek in 2018
1. Ability to work in a Team
Group work follows you all the way into the workplace. The ability to work in a team is harder than most would think; it requires collaboration, cohesion, and strong communication skills. One who has this ability is automatically a better prospect than an employee who cannot effectively work in a team.
2. Problem-Solving Skills
Problem solving skills should be shown throughout your cover letter, resume, and interview process. Employers might give you a “problem” and require you to brainstorm a solution on the spot. It’s also important to be creative with your solutions so employers view you as innovative.
3. Technical Skills
Having technical skills like Information Technology (IT) is a hard skill, and is becoming increasingly more important. Employers want people who are efficient in common programs like Microsoft Word and Excel because today’s technology is quickly advancing.
4. Analytical & Quantitative Skills
Skills relating to business practices such as analyzing data and working with numbers are essential to a company. The ability to look at a set of numbers and transcribe them in order to solve a problem or improve sales requires diligent actions.
5. Communication (Written, Verbal & Nonverbal)
Employers look for strong communication skills, in person and in the virtual world. Part of strong communicator is also being a good listener, it shows you can interpret what is said and respond with purpose. The awareness of your nonverbal communication, such as body language and facial expressions can serve to maintain professionalism.
6. Leadership
Leadership skills not only involve successfully interacting with those around them in the workplace, but also putting others before yourself. There are many aspects of leadership including strong communication skills (verbal and nonverbal), the ability to coach, direct others, and build relationships. Leadership does not have to come with a specific title or position, meaning that anybody has the opportunity to be an emergent leader.
7. Strategic Planning Skills
You can demonstrate these skills while using them within your resume and cover letter by giving specific examples. It is also encouraged to use strategic planning concepts in the actual interview. With strategic planning one must be able to analyze and evaluate a business plan. It’s important to have strong communication skills, decisive decision making, leadership, and the ability to solve problems.
8. Creativity
Creative thinking is a key skill because it shows the employer that you can look at a situation in new ways by “thinking outside the box." Creative people are able to devise different ways to carry out tasks, solve issues, and meet challenges. Using words like “unique” and “innovative” in your application are good examples of how to show creativity.
9. Detail Oriented
A keen eye to detail can make a huge difference within the workplace. The skill to catch fine points that other employees would miss is what employers are looking for. Not only that, but it’s essential to maintain the ability of looking at the “big picture” in a larger scale. This ensures that every aspect of the job is done, and you triple check your work. Often times this is a skill that cannot be taught, but one that people are born with.
10. Versatility
Employers are looking for someone who is able to do many tasks and skills. Being able to work outside your comfort zone, be adaptable, and have high motivation will show you are fit for any position.
Written by: Britta Springer & Kimber-Lynn Anderson