What are Employability Skills? 

Nearly all hiring managers look for potential employees with employability skills, but what are these skills? Allison Doyle of The Balance writes, “Employability skills are core skills and traits needed in nearly every job. These are the general skills that make someone desirable to an organization.”

Within the category of employability skills, there are soft and hard skills. Soft skills are what many tend to think of as “people” skills, or skills that revolve around your character and ability to work with others/communicate. Hard skills, in contrast, are skills that can be taught, such as something you learned in school, in previous work experience, etc., according to Paige Liwanag of Jobscan. Having a combination of both soft and hard skills will come in handy on a resume and look great in the eyes of an employer.

Employability Skills 

Communication

Communication is a minimum requirement to work in today's connected company culture. From checking emails or messaging clients to relaying critical information in a work setting – communication plays a role in every industry. As company hierarchies are becoming more horizontal, the experiences a company offers are more dependent on communication than ever before. 

In companies big and small, communication is a skill that influences your ability to create new opportunities, avoid misunderstandings, and convey your personality to employers. The best communicators elevate their teams and companies through their presence. Let your confidence, personality, and communication ability show through in your job interviews. 

Reliability

Companies run on limited bandwidth. With a million things to get done and only 8-12 hours in a working day, having the commodity of independent, reliable employees is a must. Reliable team members can self-manage themselves, giving management more time to focus on demanding tasks and less time to micromanage others. 

Showing that you can deliver efficient work in a timely manner will indicate to employers that you’re someone who takes their work seriously. Let your actions speak for themselves. If you do your part, gaining the trust of your management will take care of itself. 

Innovativeness 

Innovation isn’t limited to major technological change – many times, innovating simply means updating the processes that your company uses day-to-day to make them more efficient. Every company wants to be on the cutting edge, yet not every company is responsible for revolutionizing an industry. 

If you’re able to be the reason why your company has a competitive advantage, you’re just about guaranteed to be an asset that can’t be replaced. Find new ways to add value to your company, and your value will grow. Some ways you can add value include: 

• Introducing a new product or service

• Identifying what your company lacks and filling the role

• Doing more in less time

There’s always some way you can help your company in ways others can’t – search yourself and learn what strengths you bring to the workplace. 

Problem Solving

How do you react when faced with adversity? For some, this can be a ‘Code Blue’ in a hospital setting where patients suddenly take a turn for the worst, while for others, it can be a particularly difficult client. We each develop mechanisms to combat unexpected situations, but is your default setting preparing you to thrive or falter? 

Place yourself in situations that are out of your comfort zone. Identify your weaknesses in these situations and work towards improving them. The experiences you gain will train your mind to process problems quickly so that more time can be spent on finding the right solutions. Becoming a proficient problem-solver will show companies that you’re capable of facing any challenge. 

Networking

Who you meet during your time in school will have a big impact on how your early career develops. Job hunting in today’s global marketplace is more dependent on who you know than what you know. Building a network of students, faculty, and professionals will help you stay connected while looking for new opportunities.  

Colleges and universities frequently host networking events that connect students with renowned companies in the area. Use these as an opportunity to build your network, share your resume with potential employers, and practice socializing in a professional setting. Even if you’re looking to stay at one company for the long run, it helps to know successful people in high places. The people you meet along your journey can one day be your most loyal supporters. 

Ambition

Are you someone who seeks comfort? Do you want to get by doing the necessary things but never more? A lack of ambition can deter companies from pursuing you. Companies seek high achievers, and a common trait among them is the desire to push beyond the scope of their roles and reach for something greater. 

What companies look for more so than ambition, however, is the willingness to learn. Having an open mind is an asset that shows employers that you aren’t glued to one way of thinking. As job roles grow and expand, so too will the expectations that are placed on you. If you’re unwilling to learn new things, companies will find someone who can. 

Conclusion 

Learning the skills that your role requires can get you the job interview, and building the skills that your employer desires can get you the job. Work on building up your ‘soft’ skills so that you can become an irreplaceable part of any company!

By Alicia Geigel at Uloop.com, Online Marketplace for College Life.