Skills Employers Value
Did you know there are certain skills employers look for regardless of the job? These skills are called ‘soft’ skills and employers look for them when hiring a new team member. Soft skills are key to being career ready.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified career readiness as the attainment and demonstration of knowledge, skills and abilities that broadly prepare young people for a successful transition into the workplace. The eight competencies associated with career readiness are:
Critical thinking/problem solving
Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems. Ability to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data in this process, and demonstrate originality and inventiveness. Watch the related Skills to Pay the Bills video below.
Oral/written communication
Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization. Public speaking skills; ability to express ideas to others; and write/edit memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly and effectively. Watch the related Skills to Pay the Bills video below.
Teamwork/Collaboration
Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints. Ability to work within a team structure, and negotiate and manage conflict. Watch the related Skills to Pay the Bills video below.
Digital Technology
Leadership
Professionalism/Work Ethic
Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. Ability to demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior, act responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind, and ability to learn from mistakes. Watch the related Skills to Pay the Bills video below.
Career Management
Global/Intercultural Fluency
Other Helpful Skills to Pay the Bills Videos
Take a look at these other Skills to Pay the Bills videos about Soft Skills, Enthusiasm and Attitude and Networking to help you further understand what employers are looking for in employees.
