What are employability skills?
These are the skills that employers look for in potential new employees. Some of the skills are needed for specific job roles while others are what employers want. Whether you are looking for a full-time, part-time job or internship, you will be expected to have at least some of the skills, or the potential/willing to acquire the skills needed to do the job.
How can I get employability skills?
The good news is you probably have more than you think! You will gain skills through:
(1) Life Experiences: You will have gained some through your life experiences. Most of the time you will not realise you have them until you examine what you have done and how you did it!
(2) Education/Courses & Training: Some skills are taught to us throughout our education and continued training & development!
(3) Work experience: Whether through work experience, volunteering or other jobs, you will have gained or developed your employability skills!
(4) Extra-curricular activities: Hobbies, being part of a sports team etc are all other ways we can gain employability skills without even realising it at the time for most!
Below we have a selection of employability skills that employers look for. You have to demonstrate these skills throughout your application process from your CV, application form to your interview. We have given you a brief description of them to help you understand them.
See if you have these skills by writing down how you have used these skills whether in your jobs, life experiences and hobbies. Employers will want you to evidence you have these skills so this will help you come you with examples ready!
These are the skills that employers look for in potential new employees. Some of the skills are needed for specific job roles while others are what employers want. Whether you are looking for a full-time, part-time job or internship, you will be expected to have at least some of the skills, or the potential/willing to acquire the skills needed to do the job.
How can I get employability skills?
The good news is you probably have more than you think! You will gain skills through:
(1) Life Experiences: You will have gained some through your life experiences. Most of the time you will not realise you have them until you examine what you have done and how you did it!
(2) Education/Courses & Training: Some skills are taught to us throughout our education and continued training & development!
(3) Work experience: Whether through work experience, volunteering or other jobs, you will have gained or developed your employability skills!
(4) Extra-curricular activities: Hobbies, being part of a sports team etc are all other ways we can gain employability skills without even realising it at the time for most!
Below we have a selection of employability skills that employers look for. You have to demonstrate these skills throughout your application process from your CV, application form to your interview. We have given you a brief description of them to help you understand them.
See if you have these skills by writing down how you have used these skills whether in your jobs, life experiences and hobbies. Employers will want you to evidence you have these skills so this will help you come you with examples ready!
Communication Skills
An employer will want to evaluate the level of your communication skills. They will want to see if you have the ability communicate orally, in writing, or via electronic means. It also covers interpersonal communication, presentation and negotiation skills. You will be asked throughout the application process especially in an interview to evidence these with examples.
An employer will want to evaluate the level of your communication skills. They will want to see if you have the ability communicate orally, in writing, or via electronic means. It also covers interpersonal communication, presentation and negotiation skills. You will be asked throughout the application process especially in an interview to evidence these with examples.
Teamwork Skills
Employers will wish to see if you have experience of teamwork. Teamwork involves working with others, in order to achieve a goal/objective. They will look to see what role you played and how you well you can work with others including any difficult team members.
Employers will wish to see if you have experience of teamwork. Teamwork involves working with others, in order to achieve a goal/objective. They will look to see what role you played and how you well you can work with others including any difficult team members.
Problem Solving Skills
An employer will want to see if you have any experiences of dealing with issues or problems and how you dealt & solved it. You will need to demonstrate that you can think creatively and apply a logical approach to solving the problems you face. Depending on the job role, some employers will be looking for you to have some knowledge while others will want practical skill of dealing with it evidenced with examples.
An employer will want to see if you have any experiences of dealing with issues or problems and how you dealt & solved it. You will need to demonstrate that you can think creatively and apply a logical approach to solving the problems you face. Depending on the job role, some employers will be looking for you to have some knowledge while others will want practical skill of dealing with it evidenced with examples.
Time Management
Time management skills involve the ability to plan and prioritise your workload. An employer will not only want to examine that you can achieve this but also ask for examples of you doing this. You will need to set yourself realistic and achievable targets in order to meet deadlines and develop strategies to work under pressure if deadlines are pending. Strong organisation skills are also vital, as is the ability to respond to changing circumstances and demands.
Time management skills involve the ability to plan and prioritise your workload. An employer will not only want to examine that you can achieve this but also ask for examples of you doing this. You will need to set yourself realistic and achievable targets in order to meet deadlines and develop strategies to work under pressure if deadlines are pending. Strong organisation skills are also vital, as is the ability to respond to changing circumstances and demands.
Organisation Skills
Employers will want someone who is organised worker as they will be more productive & more efficient at their job role. Strong organisational skills are demonstrated by planning your time and workload effectively. An ability to meet deadlines will provide evidence that you possess good organisational skills. Organisational skills are vital.
Employers will want someone who is organised worker as they will be more productive & more efficient at their job role. Strong organisational skills are demonstrated by planning your time and workload effectively. An ability to meet deadlines will provide evidence that you possess good organisational skills. Organisational skills are vital.
Networking Skills
This will not apply to all job roles. Jobs that require you to either work with other organisations or to recruit companies/organisations. Employers will want to see that you can make contacts and build relationships in person or via web based tools, such as LinkedIn, email & even social media.
They will also wish to evaluate your communication skills, the need to be proactive and get involved with different activities, so that you can meet lots of people! Building your network will help your personal and professional development.
This will not apply to all job roles. Jobs that require you to either work with other organisations or to recruit companies/organisations. Employers will want to see that you can make contacts and build relationships in person or via web based tools, such as LinkedIn, email & even social media.
They will also wish to evaluate your communication skills, the need to be proactive and get involved with different activities, so that you can meet lots of people! Building your network will help your personal and professional development.
I.T Skills
These are required in most jobs, and you will be expected to be familiar with the basic functions of the Microsoft Office suite, such as Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. You will need to demonstrate that you have the ability to accept, learn and adapt to new technology as required by the job. Evidence how you have used these computer software packages and even show relevant qualifications.
These are required in most jobs, and you will be expected to be familiar with the basic functions of the Microsoft Office suite, such as Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. You will need to demonstrate that you have the ability to accept, learn and adapt to new technology as required by the job. Evidence how you have used these computer software packages and even show relevant qualifications.
Decision Making Skills
Decision making is a process which involves analysing a problem, examining the options, weighing up the pros and cons, and reaching a conclusion. Employers know that at some point in any job role that you will face a problem and need to make decisions especially if you are in a leadership role. Showing an employer that you can be creative in your approach, and even take advice from others. This will be more closely examined in an interview so make sure you have examples to demonstrate to an employer that you have this skill.
Decision making is a process which involves analysing a problem, examining the options, weighing up the pros and cons, and reaching a conclusion. Employers know that at some point in any job role that you will face a problem and need to make decisions especially if you are in a leadership role. Showing an employer that you can be creative in your approach, and even take advice from others. This will be more closely examined in an interview so make sure you have examples to demonstrate to an employer that you have this skill.
Flexibility Skills
Flexibility is your willingness and ability to take on new or changing responsibilities/roles. Showing an employer you have not just a 'can do' attitude but a 'will do' approach. To be truly flexible, you need to show that you are ready to meet the changing demands of the job role or company.
Flexibility is your willingness and ability to take on new or changing responsibilities/roles. Showing an employer you have not just a 'can do' attitude but a 'will do' approach. To be truly flexible, you need to show that you are ready to meet the changing demands of the job role or company.
Adaptability Skills
This is the skill of anticipating and responding to changing circumstances and coping effectively with the transition. Being adaptable requires you to fit into a new environment & situations quickly and easily.
This is the skill of anticipating and responding to changing circumstances and coping effectively with the transition. Being adaptable requires you to fit into a new environment & situations quickly and easily.
Literacy & Numeracy Skills
Employers will want to make sure that you have good literacy & numeracy skills. They will want to know you have a good level of not only writing skills but also numeracy skills especially if your working with figures. You will demonstrate this throughout your application process and some employers may ask you to take an assessment test to evaluate your level.
Employers will want to make sure that you have good literacy & numeracy skills. They will want to know you have a good level of not only writing skills but also numeracy skills especially if your working with figures. You will demonstrate this throughout your application process and some employers may ask you to take an assessment test to evaluate your level.
Management or Leadership Skills
Employers depending on the job role will wish that you have some experiences of either managing or leading a team. They will want to see if you can take control of a situation and lead by empowering others into an effective team. Inspiring and motivating others to carry out tasks and achieve the goals or set objectives.
Leadership qualities are important for everyone, even for those who are not in managerial/supervision positions. Leadership skills mean that you can manage people and are able to take initiative. Being able to see and plan ahead, acquire knowledge and have people look up to you are all leadership qualities.
Employers depending on the job role will wish that you have some experiences of either managing or leading a team. They will want to see if you can take control of a situation and lead by empowering others into an effective team. Inspiring and motivating others to carry out tasks and achieve the goals or set objectives.
Leadership qualities are important for everyone, even for those who are not in managerial/supervision positions. Leadership skills mean that you can manage people and are able to take initiative. Being able to see and plan ahead, acquire knowledge and have people look up to you are all leadership qualities.
Working Under Pressure
Whether you’re trying to hit a challenging deadline or an urgent job has just landed in your lap, employers want to know you can put the stress to one side and focus on the job in hand. Can you decide quickly which approach will achieve the best results in a short period of time, and then get the job done? You will have to demonstrate with examples of times you have done this during an interview.
Whether you’re trying to hit a challenging deadline or an urgent job has just landed in your lap, employers want to know you can put the stress to one side and focus on the job in hand. Can you decide quickly which approach will achieve the best results in a short period of time, and then get the job done? You will have to demonstrate with examples of times you have done this during an interview.