5 Employability Skills That Could Get You a New Job

Employability Skills

Most of the time, potential employers are looking for specific skills that suit the needs of the job description that they are advertising for. However, there are certain skills, like teamwork, which are always in high demand. These are high employability skills and every resume should include a few of them. Here’s what you need to know.

The Top Five Employability Skills

Employability skills are always changing. Some, like communication skills, stay in high demand consistently while others come and go. For example, shorthand writing used to be a highly employable skill, but technological skills are far more desirable now. Here are the top five examples of employability skills to include on every resume:

1. Communication skills

   Communication and interpersonal skills are always high on the list of employability skills because they govern how we work with team members and our non-verbal communication skills. People with strong communication skills are likely to be better at reading body language and completing group projects. Potential employers will look for candidates with strong communication skills and a positive attitude, as well as a degree of adaptability.

2. Problem-solving

   Problem-solving skills are also commonly found at the top of employability skills lists because they connect to critical thinking skills, analytical thinking skills, and lateral thinking skills. These are skills employers can find many uses for.

3. Critical thinking

   Though connected to problem-solving, critical thinking skills are distinct. Critical thinkers are most likely to be quick learners and good at picking up new skills quickly. Critical thinking skills also determine our decision-making processes. Critical thinkers are good at technical roles and can pick up on the fine details of different situations, meaning that they are good at assessing performance and data trends.

4. Management skills

   Management skills and leadership capabilities are in high demand in most industries, even when the roles employers want to fill are non-managerial in nature. This is because leadership skills are closely tied to organizational skills. People who can plan, delegate, and lead tend to be organized people who contribute to an efficient work environment.

5. Technological literacy

   Digital and technological skills are a fairly recent addition to the roster of employability skills, but they are incredibly important. Digital literacy still lags behind the demand for digital skills and this means that they are in high demand. For example, if you’re proficient in programming languages, social media marketing, or IT skills, you should add them to your resume.

If you include these employability skills on your resume and cover letter for future job applications, you will stand a good chance of conducting a successful job search. Consider these cover letter writing tips to give your application the best possible chance.