The first question to ask is, what do employers really want?
The answer is simple. Employers are looking for skills that can augment or develop business and make them more profitable.
Some of these talents include:
- Execution skills: How efficiently can you get things done? Among these, top skills include project management, flexibility and the ability to be resourceful in the face of changing conditions, while staying within a budget and maintaining accountability.
- Managing people: From managing existing teams to turning around broken teams, employers are looking for someone adept at managing project teams, volunteers, contractors and even virtual teams with ease.
- Communication skills: Writing, speaking and listening are all important communication skills that are critically important in the workforce.
- Customer service and sales: The ability to build long lasting, profitable relationships is extremely highly valued in almost any industry.
- Negotiation skills: The ability to effectively use your negotiation skills and save the company’s money will certainly make you a more desirable employee.
In addition to the above, it’s also important to acquire transferable skills in each job, through a combined process of education and experience. For example, a skill such as demonstrated computer proficiency can help give a prospective employer the confidence that you will be able to competently work with a new company’s specific system. To create a strong impression, a good idea is to group together skills rather than creating a conventional list of your work history. People whose transferable skills result in job offers are often those with concrete evidence of achievement.
