In the market for a new job? Or perhaps you’re hoping that you’ll be promoted soon? Either way, to land the job of your dreams, you need to convince your new employer that you have the necessary life skills (and more) to be able to do the job.
So, what are some important job skills and what do they entail? Let’s take a look at some of the most important job skills and how you can develop them in your own professional life.
Communication.
Being able to communicate effectively is one of the most important soft skills you can have, regardless of the position you are applying for.
Not only does good communication involve the ability to express yourself clearly and coherently in a professional way, but it also means being prepared to listen to what the other person is saying.
All too often in the corporate world, we are seemingly obsessed with trying our best to get our point across that we don’t take the time to really hear what others are saying. If you can master getting your message across in a polite and clear way, as well as being able to listen attentively, you are halfway there!
Teamwork.
One of the most common requirements for any job is the ability to work as a team. Almost every single job out there requires the person to work with others in a team or in a department.
You need to be able to work towards a common goal with other colleagues by pooling your individual talents and strengths. You should also be able to ask for help when you need it and do the same for others who need assistance.
A good team can collaborate and think about solutions to problems and you should definitely be open to working with, and not against, your colleagues.
Time Management.
In this modern and stressful corporate world, there often doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done. Companies try to save as much money as possible and this means expecting employees to do much more work for the same pay.
If you can manage your time effectively by analyzing what is urgent, what is important and what can wait for a few hours, you could be a valuable asset.
Being able to work in a systematic and calm way usually results in more productivity and most employers look for this trait in potential candidates.
Positive Attitude.
No one enjoys working with someone who has a negative outlook on things, especially towards their job or the company they work for. Such people tend to do the bare minimum to get by, are unwilling to help others and expect a great deal from their employers while giving back hardly anything in return.
Luckily, a negative attitude can be spotted from a mile a way, and the same can be said about someone who is positive.
Employers love candidates with a positive attitude as this means that they will be more likely to work harder and to be more productive.
Problem Solver.
What do you normally do when you come across a problem in your job? Do you try and think of the best solution going forward, or do you immediately run to your boss and expect them to provide the solution?
Employers enjoy staff members who have the ability to think logically and come up with their own answers to the most common problems. By being a problem solver, you free up your manager’s time and you also demonstrate that you are able to work independently.
Resilience.
Life is full of surprises, both good and bad, and this is also very true when it comes to the corporate world. Companies are run by human beings and, as such, they also often face adversity and problems which can directly affect their employees.
Adversity could either make or break you and if you can prove that you thrive under pressure and work even harder when times are tough, your efforts will be much appreciated by your employer.
Willingness to Learn.
Although employers expect a lot from their staff, what they usually don’t expect is for them to be perfect and to know everything.
To be a model employee, you don’t have to show that can do everything, but you do need a willingness to learn from others.
Being open to new concepts and ways of working demonstrates to your employer that you are flexible, trainable and you have a lot of potential.
