Top 5 Skills Employers Look For (2023)

The ultimate goal of going to college is not just to get the degree, but to land a career as well. Obviously, employers want to make sure you are qualified for the job by having the appropriate degree, but they also need to know if you have the skill set too.

The top 5 skills employers look for include:

  1. Critical thinking and problem solving
  2. Teamwork and collaboration
  3. Professionalism and strong work ethic
  4. Oral and written communications skills
  5. Leadership

Why is Critical Thinking Important?

Critical thinking is necessary for almost every job. Employees need to be able to analyze evidence, question assumptions, test hypotheses, observe and draw conclusions from any form of data. Critical thinking is not just a skill, but a habit formed to help with problem-solving.

Although critical thinking can be taught in the classroom, it needs to be applied during studies and real-world experiences so you can make a habit of using critical thinking in your daily life. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, critical thinking skills are the top priority for an employer to hire someone. Although critical thinking skills are what employers desire and find most essential, the average employer thinks recent graduates are only “somewhat proficient” in critical thinking skills. This means that, while employers think critical thinking skills are 99.2% essential, only 55.8% of graduates are proficient.

(Video) Top 5 Skills Employers Look for In an Intern

How to Develop Critical Thinking Skills

By engaging in active learning, students will begin to apply critical thinking skills to their work. Active learning occurs through many opportunities. Whether it be a cooperative educational opportunity, an internship, practicums, labs, or field experience, active learning puts the students directly in the situation they would be handling in their career. By doing so, the student not only gains real-world experience but is able to put their problem-solving skills to the test and truly begin to develop them.

Critical thinking skills can also be developed through engaging students in learning during class. By being involved in class discussions, activities and engaging with other students and the professor, you will not only develop your problem-solving skills through collaboration but will also work on your teamwork skills.

The Importance of Teamwork & Collaboration in the Workplace

While college group projects at times might feel burdensome, these team assignments will prepare you for your future workplace environment. Teamwork is necessary for jobs all across the spectrum. From construction work to marketing, nursing to acting, teamwork and collaboration is a vital part to keeping the organization or company running smoothly.

By interacting and collaborating with your colleagues, the organization or company will have growth and success. Everyone has a different skill set they bring to the table. By interacting with your co-workers, you may reach a better conclusion or idea than you would have on your own. When arriving at your new career with quality teamwork skills already in your pocket, you can be a step ahead of the competition. Although critical thinking skills were something many employers thought graduates could improve on, teamwork and collaboration were skills most employers were highly impressed with. 97.5% of employers think teamwork and collaboration are important in the workplace while 77% believe that graduates are demonstrating these skills proficiently.

A few other reasons employers strive for graduates with teamwork skills is that those skills can promote unity in the workplace, teamwork can provide improved productivity, it promotes work synergy, and can provide new learning opportunities.

(Video) Top 5 Skills Employers Look For ⎮Career

Professionalism & Strong Work Ethic

There is one thing every employer has in common: they want their employees to have a strong work ethic and be professional. No matter what job or career you find yourself in after graduation, your employer will expect you to have a strong professionalism and work ethic.

There is one characteristic every employer wants their employees to present: professionalism and a strong work ethic. No matter what job you find yourself in after graduation, your employer will expect you to have strong, professional social skills and a great work ethic. In the Employer Career Competencies survey, all employers rated “Professionalism/Work Ethic” as 100% essential, but stated that only 42.5% of employees exhibit these behaviors.

Developing Professional & Work Ethical Skills

Throughout your daily classes, activities and work schedule, you have opportunities to continue developing your professional skills. These skills can be developed through simple tasks such as being punctual and having a professional attitude. They also may be developed through more time-consuming tasks.

Some of these tasks may include finishing your work in an efficient and timely manner. People who practice strong work ethic are less likely to procrastinatethe task at hand are the first to step up and take on a new task. By having a professional attitude and strong work ethic, employers will be more interested in considering you for promotions, new jobs, or other positive outcomes.

(Video) What Are Communication Skills? Top 10!

Oral & Written Communication Skills

In this technological day and age, shooting a quick text to your friends or family may not include proper grammar, which in turn, can result in a decline in your written or oral communication skills. Another way your communication skills may decline is by the lack of face-to-face conversation. While being proficient in digital technology is necessary for many careers, technology should not be used as the only means of communication. This reduces the quality of face-to-face conversations in the workplace. These are also skills that many graduates can improve on. 95.9% of employers find communication skills essential, but they believe only 41.6% demonstrate efficiency in those skills.

Improving Oral Communication Skills

Over-communication is one area of improvement that is relatively simple to overcome. The more simple the message, the more likely the message is to be accurately received. Keep your message short, clear, and concise.

Another method of improving oral communication is by engaging your audience. By not only talking, but also by creating a conversation, you can better communicate your ideas and concepts as well as hear new ideas, questions, or various input.

Lastly, be a listener. To improve your skills and communicate effectively, you first and foremost must be a good listener. By genuinely listening to what others have to say, you are able to provide more thoughtful answers and comments.

Improving Written Communication Skills

In many careers, written communication skills are just as important as oral communication skills. You can start to improve your written communication skills by organizing your thoughts. When you are writing, proofread your work to see if it sounds jumbled, like your rambling or like the thoughts do not flow. If this is the case, try creating an outline for your work first, to make sure your thoughts are in a cohesive order, and then begin writing. This will make your work seem more professional. Another simple issue may just be your own lack of confidence in your writing. If you feel stressed that what you are writing does not sound like quality work, use a program like be a listener or Microsoft’s “readability tool” to see how your work sounds, whether or not you have structural errors, and so forth.

(Video) Top Skills Employers Look For

By improving your communication skills, you will not only become a better associate but can become a better leader as well.

Leadership Skills

Although on 68.6% of employers are looking for graduates with quality leadership skills, most employers think only 33% of employees demonstrate leadership qualities. By combining critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism and work ethic, and communication skills, you can become a great leader in your workplace.

First, you have to find your leadership style. Once you identify your strengths and what your standards of excellence are, you can begin to develop your leadership style around those qualities. Once you have honed in on your leadership style, you have to begin creating a culture of self-reinforcing behavior and practices. When people see that you are enthusiastic and passionate about the work you are doing, they too get excited about their work. By creating this upbeat culture, productivity and workflow will increase. Alternatively, seeing lack of enthusiasm and passion will have the opposite impact on the workplace culture.

Developing Leadership Skills

Evaluating your skills and establishing areas of strengths and weaknesses to improve upon is the first step to landing your ideal career. By practicing and applying critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism and work ethic, oral and written communication, and leadership skills, you will become more desirable to many employers.

(Video) Top 5 skills Employers Look For

FAQs

What are the 8 qualities employers are looking for? ›

8 Skills Employees Look For
  • Initiative. Many hiring managers value personal initiative nearly as much as hard skills. ...
  • Technical Literacy. ...
  • Tech-savvy. ...
  • Data Skills. ...
  • Digital Marketing. ...
  • SEO. ...
  • UX Design. ...
  • Written Communication.

What is the number one skill employers look for? ›

What Skills Do Employers Look For? Communication skills are vital for just about every job there is. Whether it is with fellow team members, clients, or other individuals outside the company, communication is a key part of being a productive employee.

What are 3 qualities a employer is looking for? ›

A positive attitude to work, punctuality, flexibility, verbal communication skills, and the ability to make a professional introduction are all crucial when deciding whether to recruit a young person.

What are the 7 hard skills? ›

7 Examples of Hard Skills For Your Resume
  • Computer skills. Computer skills are proficiencies in operating specific software or apps. ...
  • Technical skills. ...
  • Marketing skills. ...
  • Writing skills. ...
  • Design skills. ...
  • Analytical skills. ...
  • Language skills.

What are the 4 skills for a successful career? ›

10 essential skills you'll need for career success
  • Communication. Communication includes listening, writing and speaking. ...
  • Problem solving. Challenges will arise in every job you have. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Initiative. ...
  • Analytical, quantitative. ...
  • Professionalism, work ethic. ...
  • Leadership. ...
  • Detail oriented.
Apr 17, 2019

What are five job keeping skills? ›

Job keeping skills include many so-called soft skills such as cooperation, use of reasonable grammar, an acceptable level of self-care and hygene, possessing critical thinking abilities, and respect of workplace rules.

What are your three strongest employability skills? ›

Here are 10 of the most important employability skills that employers look for.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Communication skills.
  • Adaptability.
  • Collaboration.
  • Time management.
  • Organization.
  • Technology use.
  • Information use.

What are the 7 essential soft skills? ›

7 essential soft skills in demand
  • Teamwork. With effective teamwork, teams are more productive, deadlines are met, relationships with your team members are stronger and knowledge is shared. ...
  • Problem solving. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Adaptability. ...
  • Critical thinking. ...
  • Time management. ...
  • Interpersonal.

What are the top 7 qualities employers are looking for in a candidate? ›

The great majority of jobs that are filled in the hidden job market are filled because someone knows someone.
...
Here are the big seven:
  • Intelligence: ...
  • Leadership ability: ...
  • Integrity: ...
  • Likability: ...
  • Competence: ...
  • Courage: ...
  • Inner strength:

What is a unique skill for a job? ›

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different skills may be more valuable in different industries or job roles. However, some commonly recommended skills include self-motivation, flexibility and adaptability, creativity, public speaking skills, data analysis skills, and project management skills.

What job skills do employers want? ›

5 transferable skills that employers are looking for
  • Creativity. Whether you come up with a new, inventive idea or find a solution to a difficult problem, thinking outside of the box and displaying creativity can make a real difference in many jobs.
  • People Skills. ...
  • Adaptability. ...
  • Leadership. ...
  • Time management.

Which are the 5 most important soft skills employers are looking for? ›

Companies have identified the following competencies as key to the success of young workers in the 21st century workplace.
  • Networking. ...
  • Enthusiasm. ...
  • Professionalism. ...
  • Communication Skills. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. ...
  • Resources.

What is a hard skill on a resume? ›

Hard skills are technical skills required for a job. They are learned abilities acquired and enhanced through education and experience. Hard skills are important for your resume, as employers look for them when hiring.

What do employers value most? ›

Employers responding to NACE's Job Outlook surveys have consistently indicated that critical thinking/problem solving, teamwork/collaboration, professionalism/work ethic, and oral/written communications are all essential competencies.

What are the strongest skills qualities? ›

The Top 10 Qualities and Skills Employers Are Looking For
  1. Communication Skills. ...
  2. Honesty. ...
  3. Technical Competency. ...
  4. Work Ethic. ...
  5. Flexibility. ...
  6. Determination and Persistence. ...
  7. Ability to Work in Harmony with Co-Workers. ...
  8. Eager and Willing to Add to Their Knowledge Base and Skills.

Why should we hire you answers? ›

“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”

What are the 6 major skills? ›

Key Takeaways

Six of the most important skills, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) are problem-solving skills, the ability to work in a team, a strong work ethic, analytical and quantitative skills, communication skills, and leadership qualities.

What are the 6 core skills? ›

The Core skills
  • Critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Communication and collaboration.
  • Creativity and imagination.
  • Student leadership.
  • Citizenship.
  • Digital literacy.

What are the 8 essential skills? ›

The eight essential skills are listening, speaking, problem-solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership, and teamwork. The skills cover communication, creative problem solving, self-management, and interpersonal skills.

What are the 3 major skills? ›

There are three types of skills: functional, self-management and special knowledge. Functional skills are abilities or talents that are inherited at birth and developed through experience and learning. Examples are: making decisions, repairing machines or calculating taxes.

What is the most important employability skill? ›

The most sought-after, desired employability skill is probably communication. Communication is simply a part of almost every workplace so it makes sense that employers value these skills so highly. Employers are specifically looking for applicants who exhibit strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills.

What are core employability skills? ›

The capacity to share responsibilities, collaborate with others, honor commitments, help others do their jobs, and seek help when needed. » Personal Development. The development of self-awareness and sensitivity towards others, and the learned skill to manage resources, such as time and money.

What skills should all employees have? ›

Top 6 Skills Every Employee Should Have
  • Communication. Whether with peers and colleagues or clients, everyone has to be a confident communicator going into a professional environment, and this encompasses both written and verbal communication. ...
  • Computer Skills. ...
  • Team Work. ...
  • Customer Service. ...
  • Organisation. ...
  • Willingness to Learn.

What are the 4 fundamental employability skills? ›

Employability skills fall into four categories:
  • Fundamental Skills. These form the basis of your employability skills.
  • Social and Emotional Skills. These include your ability to read and manage emotions and build relationships.
  • Personal Management Skills. ...
  • Teamwork Skills.

What would you say is your top 3 skills *? ›

Top skills to mention during an interview (with examples)
  1. Communication. Excellent communication skills are vital in any job. ...
  2. Business acumen. ...
  3. Collaboration or teamwork. ...
  4. Adaptability. ...
  5. Problem solving. ...
  6. Positivity. ...
  7. Organization. ...
  8. Leadership.
Jan 26, 2023

What are hard employability skills? ›

Hard skills are teachable and measurable abilities, such as writing, reading, math or ability to use computer programs. By contrast, soft skills are the traits that make you a good employee, such as etiquette, communication and listening, getting along with other people.

What are the top 10 in demand soft skills? ›

Top 10 Soft Skills Employers Love (For Any Profession)
  • Time management.
  • Communication.
  • Adaptability.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Teamwork.
  • Creativity.
  • Leadership.
  • Interpersonal skills.
Feb 1, 2023

What are six soft skills? ›

These skills revolve around a person's personality, manners, and attitude – some examples include empathy, integrity, adaptability, time management, and creativity.

What are the six soft skills needed in the workplace? ›

The most important soft skills in today's workplace include communication, time management, multitasking, teamwork, critical thinking, decision-making, self-motivation, and leadership. That's why showcasing your soft skills for the workplace well in your resume and during interviews is essential.

What are the 15 personal qualities that employers are looking for in candidates for employment? ›

15 qualities employers look for in candidates
  • Ambition. Ambition is a key trait that employers look for because of what it communicates about the worker. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Confidence. ...
  • Critical thinking. ...
  • Dependability. ...
  • Determination. ...
  • Eagerness to learn. ...
  • Flexibility.
Feb 2, 2023

What is your skill sample answer? ›

Sample Answer: “I have very good organizational and time management skills, but my greatest strength is my ability to effectively handle multiple projects and deadlines.” Sample Answer: “My strength is my flexibility to handle change.

What are 5 qualities that may want us to consider you for staff *? ›

Common traits of a good employee
  • Dedication. Dedication includes a strong sense of support and loyalty to a business or career role. ...
  • Confidence. Confidence and productivity often work well together. ...
  • Reliability. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Independence. ...
  • Leadership. ...
  • Interpersonal/communication skills. ...
  • Self-awareness.

What makes you stand out? ›

Standing out often comes from hard, consistent work. Attitude. There's no denying that positive people have better relationships. Keeping an upbeat attitude and being pleasant to be around can really make you stand out from everyone around you, especially if you're surrounded by toxic people.

What are the top ten skills? ›

Let's take a look at some of the skills that will be in demand by employers in the next ten years.
  • Critical Thinking. ...
  • Emotional Intelligence. ...
  • Creativity. ...
  • Collaboration. ...
  • Flexibility. ...
  • Leadership Skills. ...
  • Time Management. ...
  • Curiosity and Continuous Learning.
Aug 30, 2022

What makes me stand out from other applicants? ›

Pick a few of your strengths that relate to the job requirements, and use them as the core for your answer about what makes you stand out among other candidates. These can be professional skills, areas of expertise, personal qualities, or any relevant experience.

What is key skill in resume? ›

The top skills that employers look for on a resume are: Technical skills: computer skills, programming languages, social media, and enterprise software. Problem-solving skills: creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Customer-service skills: active listening, time management, and prioritization.

What is the most important soft skill? ›

Which soft skills are most important for employers? The most important soft skills which employers value are: emotional intelligence, communication, problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking, conflict resolution, flexibility, leadership and interpersonal skills.

Why do employers look for soft skills? ›

Soft skills in the workplace allow organizations to effectively and efficiently use their technical skills and knowledge without being hampered by interpersonal issues, infighting and poor public and market perceptions. Recruiting for the right blend of soft skills takes a measured and strategic approach.

What are the top 10 hard skills that employers are looking for? ›

Top 10 Hard Skills for a Resume: List of Examples
  • Technical Skills. Technical skills include specialized knowledge and expertise in fields such as IT, engineering, or science. ...
  • Computer Skills. ...
  • Analytical Skills. ...
  • Marketing Skills. ...
  • Presentation Skills. ...
  • Management Skills. ...
  • Project Management Skills. ...
  • Writing Skills.
Jan 13, 2023

Do employers look for hard skills or soft skills? ›

While hard skills are necessary to successfully perform technical tasks in a job, soft skills are necessary to create a positive and functional work environment. For this reason, employers often seek individuals who possess proven soft and hard skills.

Should you list skills on a resume? ›

Top tip: include skills throughout your resume, not just in a dedicated skills section. Incorporate personal abilities and technical capabilities. You should also aim not only to mention the specific skill, but also your level of proficiency.

What are essential skills? ›

Essential skills help people perform the tasks required by their occupation, provide people with a foundation for learning other skills, and enhance people's ability to innovate and adapt to workplace change. Essential skills include: Reading text. Document use. Numeracy.

How many skills should I put on my resume? ›

You'll want to have anywhere between 5 and 10 skills in the skills section of your resume. Your resume's skills section is a key part of impressing a hiring manager and recruiter. It's important to tailor your resume to the specific job, and put any skills that the job description is asking for.

What are 3 things employers expect from employees? ›

Employers often expect their employees to be respectful, hardworking and a team player. Employer expectations can have several benefits, like keeping employees focused and motivated to stay on task.

What are the top 5 traits you are looking for in an employer and or their environment? ›

Well, here are the top five traits that employers seek in today's world of work.
  • Communication. The ability to efficiently communicate verbally with others is something that is basically a requirement in today's workplace. ...
  • Flexibility. ...
  • Collaboration. ...
  • Leadership. ...
  • Creativity.
Jul 30, 2018

Why should I hire you? ›

Your skills and qualifications. If you can prove that you've got all the skills that the company is looking for in a candidate, you'll have effectively answered the question. Your passion and motivation. You can highlight how good of a company fit you'd be and how much you love working in your field or industry.

What do employees value most? ›

Greater work-life balance and better personal wellbeing (61%) Work-life balance and wellbeing have also increased in importance notably since 2015, with 53% of employees citing them as "very important" compared with 61% of today's workforce.

What do bosses want from employees? ›

Bosses want employees to demonstrate professionalism at all times, in their speech, demeanor, duties and appearance. The employee must treat customers, clients and co-workers with courtesy. She should also take pride in her work and ensure it is done well and thoroughly.

What are the 5 personal qualities of an employee? ›

Top qualities of a good employee
  • Reliability. Look for employees on whom you can count to arrive on time and finish their tasks. ...
  • Problem-solving skills. Valuable employees are driven to solve problems. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Conflict resolution. ...
  • Communication skills. ...
  • Willing to learn and ask questions.

Which Big 5 personality trait is the best predictor of job performance? ›

According to Essentials of Organizational Behavior: 14th Edition, the big five personality dimension that has the biggest influence on job performance is conscientiousness. Those who score higher in this trait are likely to have higher levels of job-related knowledge as those who are highly conscientious learn more.

What are 7 work values? ›

Companies often operate according to their core values implicitly.
...
7 Core Values to Bolster Innovation
  • Quality. ...
  • Individuality. ...
  • Trust. ...
  • Creativity. ...
  • Leadership. ...
  • Accountability. ...
  • Measurement.

What are employability skills? ›

Employability skills are the essential skills, personal qualities and values that enable you to thrive in any workplace. These are also called 'enterprise skills', 'communication skills' or 'workplace skills'. Employability skills include things like: good communication. motivation and initiative.

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