What are the skills that employers are clamouring for? Degrees and what else?
Tertiary qualifications definitely open doors to employment, but employers are not just wanting someone with great technical skills and knowledge. They also want graduates with employability skills; the skills we develop throughout our daily lives that help us interact and work with other people in a whole range of situations.
Sometimes they are called soft skills or transferable skills. I don’t like using the term ‘soft’ because, quite frankly, there is nothing soft about them. They are essential in this day and age – and job applicants ignore them at their peril. To me they’re employability skills and anyone who has lived on this planet for the past 18 years or more will have employability skills.
Most desired skills?
Employers want employees with -
Good team skills, technology skills and communication skills. And don’t worry if you’re not an extrovert because good communication skills involve listening, holding a conversation and explaining yourself thoughtfully – as well as writing clearly and appropriately. You don’t have to be a motor mouth.
Problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, taking the initiative, self-motivation and a desire to keep learning are also highly desirable skills, according to employers. No surprises there – aren’t they the skills that you would want from people if you were recruiting someone to work in your team?
If you can demonstrate to employers that you have most of the above, you’ll do well in work and life in general. So how can you demonstrate you have these skills on your CV or in your application?
What are your skills?
Think about things you do that show you have employability skills or are developing them. Create a list by looking carefully at the activities, responsibilities and work experience you’ve had in life so far. For example:
- Playing a team sport demonstrates time management, communication, collaboration and commitment and team work skills etc
- Team coaching demonstrates collaboration, leadership, organisation, problem solving, time management and communication skills etc
- Helping set up computers, webpages or social media accounts for others demonstrates problem solving, communication and technology skills etc
- Working part time in retail or supermarkets is developing your skills in communication and interpersonal skills – and demonstrates punctuality, self- motivation and responsibility etc
- Care giving, whether looking after younger siblings or helping out with grandparents, demonstrates time management, communication and interpersonal skills etc
- Leading or being involved in successful group projects at university develops collaboration, communication and self motivation etc
- Volunteering at a charity event demonstrates time management, collaboration, motivation and initiative
- Running a social media campaign, whether for a club, a group or to promote something you feel keenly about, demonstrates communication and creativity skills. It also takes commitment - you have to respond to comments etc.
Struggling to think objectively about yourself? How about sitting down with a friend or family member and pulling together a list of what you are doing in your wider life and the skills they demonstrate.
Your list is a bit on the short side?
If you find you have less employability skills than some of your mates - it is never too late to get out and start building up more skills. As you can see from the examples above, it is about getting involved with others, particularly in volunteer work, part time work or work experience.
One easy way to build up skills at AUT is through the AUT Edge Award. This is run through our Employability and Careers team and gives you lots of opportunities to develop employability skills through volunteering and getting involved in activities, clubs and leadership roles. The award is acknowledged on your academic manuscript, highlighting your potential to employers. Develop your employability skills and combine them with your degree and you’ll be set!
by AUT Employability and Careers writer Angela McCarthy
Read the original blog here, or read other useful blogs from AUT Employability.
