29 November 2022
As the final end of the year draws closer, it’s a great time to reflect and think about your soft skills so you have time to be ready for interviews in 2023.
Here are what we believe to be some of the most wanted skills by employers, in no particular order...
Enthusiasm, Drive and a Strong Work Ethic
Being enthusiastic and positive is infectious and drives other to follow in your footsteps, it’s an essential skill to not just getting the job but being highly successful too.
Often people with a strong drive and work ethic are highly driven and often lead by example, which in turn, motivates others to work hard. Receiving glowing testimonials from your managers and peers, is a great way to hear you are demonstrating these well. For evidence, you could try and ask for a LinkedIn recommendation or a testimonial.
Digital/IT Skills
Digital skills are so important and are ever-increasingly asked for. Digital skills and IT are a requirement in the majority of careers. This applies not only to professions with an emphasis on technology but also careers that are traditionally hands-on. This might mean simply being comfortable using computers and understanding how to use the internet, where as other roles require top notch Excel, data manipulation and being able to jump around different platforms and systems.
It's never too late to learn and there is so much free and low cost information to make sure you are ready to go.
Try LinkedIn Learning as a recommend, it’s a very cost effective way to soak up all the training
Teamwork
It’s true, teamwork does makes the dream work and a top skill employers look for in their next hire. The ability to thrive in a team environment is essential. Almost all roles even if standalone will interact with people. Teamwork includes listening to others’ views, collaboration, being accommodating and thoughtful. Often you will be asked to provide an example of teamwork during an interview, make sure you highlight the positive outcomes from a team effort either in a past or present role or maybe at school or university.
Time Management
The ability to work efficiently, plan and meet deadlines are vital skills, whatever your chosen career. Juggling and being able to prioritise are essential skills. During interview talking through how you manage your day, look after multiple projects for example or how you manage multiple managers would well. Also arriving for your interview on time and having your interview all planned is a good start too!
Emotional Intelligence
Tricky this one, as it’s not always a natural skill, but it can be worked on, emotional intelligence is the ability to manage your own emotions and empathy for the feelings of others. Recognising your colleague is unusually quiet or has some emotional needs due to external factors can really be beneficial and supportive. If you struggle with recognising other struggling emotionally, as it’s not always easy, then you could try and be led by someone else who has an abundance of EI, after all its teamwork. Failing this, then lead with kindness and you can’t go wrong.
Finally…
Communication
The ability to communicate clearly is key in the workplace and externally. It can solve issues, help with learning and delegating tasks clearly.
Your interview would be the perfect opportunity to display your communication skills. Make sure you listen to the interviewer, listening is so important, and is much about listening as speaking. Ask questions, remember the interviewer's name and thank them when the interview is over.
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