6 in demand skills that employers look for

This question is an important one to think about when preparing your CV to look for your next role – and it’s often an area candidates forget about; instead, they focus their time on highlighting their experience and qualifications.

Read on below to find out:

Soft skills vs hard skills

Firstly, it’s a good idea to point out that there are two types of skills; soft skills and hard skills; that you’ll need to know about.

Soft skills relate to how you work – they include how you communicate with colleagues, how you manage your workload and how you solve problems. Employers often look for candidates with soft skills because they make someone more likely to be successful in the workplace. They are also more difficult to teach and measure.

Hard skills on the other hand are, by definition, easy to teach and measure. Employers often provide you with the right resources and training courses in order for you to improve these skills.

So, which are more important?

Well, LinkedIn’s 2019 Global Talent Trends report found that 92% of employers see soft skills being as important, or more important, than hard skills.

However, it’s still important to have a combination of both. It’s no good if you have exceptional soft skills but your hard skills are lacking – and same the other way around. Employers often take on someone who has a good combination of soft and hard skills – but they also understand it’s unlikely that someone exceeds in both areas.

Digging a little deeper then, which skills are most likely to improve your chances of landing your next job?

Communication skiils

How you communicate with customers and your colleagues is so important, and being able to communicate effectively is needed in every job. Employers often want to take on someone who is a confident communicator and can interpret effectively what is being asked of them. The best communication skills to include on your CV include: Speaking, listening, writing, presenting and negotiating.

Teamwork skills

For any employer looking for someone to join their team, effective teamwork skills are key. Regardless of your industry or job title, working effectively in a team is often a must, especially for those who work with other individuals on a daily basis. Good teamwork skills to include on your CV include: collaboration, honesty, communication and responsibility.

Problem-solving skills

Throughout your career, you will often have to deal with and manage challenging situations in a positive and productive way. Problem solving skills are often seen as essential skills by employers – especially for those companies who have larger teams, where there are often more challenges. Common problem solving skills to include on your CV include: Decision making, research skills, perseverance and communication.

Strong Work Ethic

Again, this is a skill that is important no matter what job role you are applying for. Being able to show that you have a strong work ethic shows to the employer that you are committed and able to work hard to achieve your goals. Having a strong work ethic ensures you are able to be left alone to complete work without having someone micro-manage your progress – something that most employers don’t have time for.

Customer Service skills

Much like communication skills, having strong customer service skills can set you apart from other candidates. When speaking to customers you are often seen as representing the company you work for, so employers see this as an important skill for their new recruits. Delivering a positive customer experience often leads to repeat business, which is important for any business to thrive and grow.

Basic computer skills

Having a basic knowledge of technology, especially in the current Covid climate, is also seen as an important skill to have. Being able to work with technology – and being flexible with it – is vital for many employers, and they often want their employees to drive that from within.

If you are looking to further improve your CV, read our article: ‘What makes a good CV?’ here.