What Are Good Skills for Work - Skills Employers Look For On Your Resume

With the rise of new technologies, it’s no surprise that employers are looking for workers with the skills to match.

But which skills are in highest demand? How can you develop them? And which skills to include in your resume? Keep reading to find out.

In this article, we will cover why it’s more important than ever to have a mix of hard and soft skills that future-proof your career or to get a job.

To help you with your next job application, here are the 10 key skills employers are looking for, along with tips on how you can develop them for every job.

What are examples of soft skills to put on a resume?

The job market is always changing; what was in demand ten years ago may not be now. But, one thing for sure is that soft skills will always be valued by employers. Soft skills are common skills that can be applied across many different professions.

For example, communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork skills, adaptability, emotional intelligence, leadership skills and so much more.

Fortunately, these aren’t skills that you’re born with but rather ones that can be developed over time through practice and deliberate effort.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills for the future. As the world becomes more complex, employers are looking for job candidates who can analyze problems and make sound decisions. To develop critical thinking skills, try taking on more challenging projects at work and solving current problems you are facing.

You can expand your problem-solving toolkit by reading books, and case studies articles on the subject. You can learn by researching what others are doing about similar problems. With the help of the internet, you would be surprised at how many people have the same or similar problems as you.

Creativity

Creativity is another top skill to put on your resume. With so much information available at our fingertips, it’s more important than ever to be able to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.

As the workplace becomes more advanced, employers value creativity and innovation. If you want to stand out from the crowd, find new ways to solve the problems your company is facing.

When it comes to your career, don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things — the payoff could be big.

Collaboration (Teamwork Skills)

As technology makes it easier than ever to work remotely, employers are increasingly valuing employees who are team players.

If you want to develop your collaboration skills, start by finding ways to be more communicative with your teammates. When working on a project, make an effort to keep everyone in the loop and solicit feedback regularly.

You should also practice active listening, which means paying attention not only to the words someone is saying but also to their body language and tone of voice.

You can also build strong relationships with your teammates by getting to know them on a personal level. Hang out with them and go beyond the small talk! You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to work together when you have a foundation of trust and respect.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Employers are looking for candidates who are adaptable to new situations. Do you tend to resist new technologies or processes? Or do you embrace them?

If you find that you’re resistant to change, try making a conscious effort to be more open-minded. For example, if your company introduces a new software program, take some time to learn about it before rejecting it.

Whether it is a new challenge, policy, application, process or system being implemented, embrace changes that come your way.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to be aware of and understand your own emotions and the emotions of others. In today’s workplace, being able to understand and manage emotions is just as important as IQ.

To develop your EI skills, pay attention to your emotions and those of the people around you. When you’re feeling stressed, what tends to trigger it? Once you’ve identified your triggers, find healthy coping mechanisms that work for you.

What are examples of hard skills for a resume?

Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be quantified and measured. They are often technical skills that you learn in school or on the job.

Writing Skills

With the rise of digital communication, the ability to write clearly, concisely, and correctly has become more important than ever before. Whether you’re drafting an email to your boss or writing a report for a client, being able to communicate effectively in writing is essential.

Math Skills

Despite the widespread belief that we live in a world where math isn’t used very often, the truth is that math skills are becoming increasingly important in a wide range of industries.

Data Analysis Skills

Data analysis skills are on the rise for good reason. They’re essential for making informed decisions in every industry. With data, you can identify business trends, predict future business outcomes, and improve productivity.

Data analysis is more than just working with numbers. It also requires strong communication and problem-solving skills. To be successful, you need to be able to take complex data sets and turn them into actionable insights.

Programming or Data-Related Skills

With the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, employers are increasingly looking for candidates with solid programming skills. Even if you are not working in tech, learning basic programming skills can make your life easier by improving your productivity.

You can learn Excel, VBA, and nowadays, there are plenty of low or no-code tools that will make you more efficient and impress your employer. Some examples include Power Query, PowerBI, Power Automate. These have personally opened doors to many opportunities for me.

If there is one single thing you should learn, it’s Excel. It is a versatile tool that can be used in almost every job and will be the gateway to tons of opportunities for you. Everyone should learn Excel.

Research Skills

Since the internet has made information accessible to anyone, it has never been more important to perform effective research. Whether you’re looking for information on a potential client, trying to find data to support a new marketing campaign, or looking for a solution to a problem, being able to find what you need quickly and efficiently will make you a valuable asset.

Here are a few tips:

• Start with a specific goal in mind
• Use multiple sources
• Be critical of the information you find
• Keep track of your sources
• Watch videos too — much of today’s content is in video format

Conclusion

The workplace is constantly changing and becoming more competitive. To stay ahead of the curve, it’s important that you continuously improve your skillset. Both soft and technical skills are crucial for any employer looking to fill a position. Focus on developing each of the 10 skills outlined above — they’ll pay off both now and in the years to come!