5 Employability Skills That Could Get You a New Job

Updated April 23, 20242.3k

The right skills will make it easier for you to get a new job in %currentyear%. Do you know what the top five essential employability skills are?

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

How to Showcase Employability Skills on Your Resume

Once you identify your important employability skills, you should review the job description that you intend to apply for. Tailor your resume to suit the requirements and needs of the role that you want to fill. No matter which resume format you choose, you should feature your employability skills in the skills section and provide examples of them at work in your work experience section. Here are some tips to help you polish your resume:

Put your most relevant skills at the top of the skills section
Use active language (e.g., “implemented” rather than “was tasked with”)
Give examples of successes you have had using specific skills
Include professional certifications
List any relevant internships you have

If you want to create an effective, persuasive resume quickly, consider using the ResumeNerd resume builder. This free tool comes with a range of resume templates to choose from and will create an editable document.

FAQ: Employability Skills

How can I improve my employability skills?

You can improve your employability skills by undertaking actions that put them to the test. For soft skills like time management and problem-solving, it is easy to find opportunities for improvement. It’s hard to prove that you have them, however. Other skills, such as skills associated with digital literacy, can be proven via courses with professional certifications.

Which employability skills should I include in my resume?

When writing your resume, you should consider the job description first and foremost. Employability skills include certain transferable skills that are useful in many roles, but you should still give precedence to the technical skills which are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

Can I prove my employability skills in a job interview?

You can prove your skill set to a certain extent in a job interview. Some soft skills, like communication skills, will be proven by the way you speak and answer questions. Others, such as technical skills, may require you to give examples of times when you used them effectively. Consider these job interview tips and tricks to help you make a good first impression.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.