Graduate employers place a lot of emphasis on finding candidates with the right skills and competencies for their organizations. Depending on the career sector and profession you choose to work in, there could be very specific skills, abilities and knowledge needed to do the job.
Complementing these are general competencies and behaviors that are essential for successful working. These are the key employability skills — the core skills that will make you effective at work, whatever job you do. No matter what kind of position or employer you’re looking for, there are a handful of skill — both soft and hard — that can boost your application almost anywhere
· Commercial awareness
This is about knowing how a business or industry works and what makes a company tick. Showing that you have an understanding of what the organization wants to achieve through its products and services, and how it competes in its marketplace.
· Communication skills
Listening, speaking and writing. Employers want people who can accurately interpret what others are saying and organize and express their thoughts clearly.
· Teamwork
In today’s work environment, many jobs involve working in one or more groups. Employers want someone who can bring out the best in others.
· Negotiation and persuasion
This is about being able to set out what you want to achieve and how, but also being able to understand where the other person is coming from so that you can both get what you want or need and feel positive about it.
· Analytical and problem-solving skills
Employers want people who can use creativity, reasoning and past experiences to identify and solve problems effectively.
· Personal management skill
The ability to plan and manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.
· Interpersonal effectiveness
Employers usually note whether an employee can relate to co-workers and build relationships with others in the organization.
· Computer/technical literacy
Although employers expect to provide training on job-specific software, they also expect employees to be proficient with basic computer skills
· Leadership/management skills
The ability to take charge and manage your co-workers, if required, is a welcome trait. Most employers look for signs of leadership qualities.
· Learning skills
Jobs are constantly changing and evolving, and employers want people who can grow and learn as changes come.
· Academic competence in reading and math
Although most jobs don’t require calculus, almost all jobs require the ability to read and comprehend instructions and perform basic math.
· Strong work values
Dependability, honesty, self-confidence and a positive attitude are prized qualities in any profession. Employers look for personal integrity.
· Perseverance and motivation
Employers want people to have a bit of get-up-and-go. Working life presents many challenges and you need to show employers that you’re the kind of person who will find a way through, even when the going gets tough… and stay cheerful.
· Ability to work under pressure
This is about keeping calm in a crisis and not becoming too overwhelmed or stressed.
· Confidence
In the workplace you need to strike the balance of being confident in yourself but not arrogant, but also have confidence in your colleagues and the company you work for.
· Positive attitude
Being calm and cheerful when things go wrong.
· Resilience
You get an angry customer but you keep calm, keep working and laugh about it later.
