To stay competitive in today’s job market, It is crucial to understand the skills employers are looking for. Having the right set of hard and soft key skills for a CV can make a difference in standing out from other candidates. Similarly, showcasing the right combination of professional and employability skills can be the difference between landing your dream job and being rejected.
These days, most recruiters and employers use special software to scan through the CVs of hundreds of candidates. This is why choosing and displaying the key skills, in line with the vacancy requirements and job description, is even more important. In addition, if you are looking to gain technical skills for a specific career field, Pitman Training’s range of courses can help you do that.
Whether you are looking for a new job or trying to strengthen your CV, this blog will help you to emphasize the key skills to stand out from the crowd and get the job you want.
What is Employability?
Before jumping into the topic of the key skills for CV employers look for, it is important to understand the concept of employability. It will help you to create a strong job-seeker mindset and also help you to become a better job candidate.
Employability is the set of skills, knowledge, and attributes that make a person capable of being employed and remaining employable throughout their career.
In today's job market, employers seek candidates with the professional skills and expertise to do the job and the soft skills necessary to succeed.
Employability skills go beyond a person's educational background, technical skills, or work experience. They include communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership skills. These skills are increasingly important in today's fast-paced, constantly evolving work environment, and employers are constantly seeking candidates who possess them.
So, what are the top skills employers look for when hiring?
Top Skills Employers Want to See
Employers want to see candidates with the right set of professional and employability skills. They want to hire the best candidate who can contribute to the company’s goals and make the right impact. Here are some of the key skills for CV employers seek today:
1. Communication Skills
Communication skills refer to the verbal, non-verbal, and written ability to properly express one’s thoughts and opinions to others. It also includes active listening and conveying the information in a clear and concise manner. It is important to have strong communication skills as it is a soft skill that helps to build relationships, resolve conflicts, and create collaboration. You can build your communication skills by signing up for Pitman’s personal development courses.
2. Teamwork
Working well with others is crucial to any job. Employers seek candidates who can collaborate and work effectively in a team. It is one of the most essential skills for a CV since it makes or breaks a team in a company. No business succeeds without teams working effectively together; all pulling in the same direction.
You can showcase that you are a team player in your CV by highlighting which team you were a part of in your organization (and any particular leadership roles or responsibilities, if you had any).
3. Adaptability
In today’s fast-paced work environment, it is crucial to adapt to changes. Employers admire candidates who adapt to new situations, take on new challenges, and learn quickly. To show that you have adaptability as one of your employability skills in your CV, you can add information about certain challenges you faced at work and how you adapted to them. These can be simple things, like learning new software. The point is that you were willing and able to adapt to change.
4. Problem-Solving
Employers want candidates to be solutions-driven. Therefore, they look for people with problem-solving professional skills. This can include soft skills- like negotiation and conflict resolution- or hard skills, like accounting and coding. If you want to show problem-solving as one of your key skills for your CV, then you can write about the time when you identified a problem, analyzed it, and implemented effective solutions, along with the results.
5. Leadership
Leadership skills are valued in any workplace. Employers seek candidates who inspire and motivate others, make tough decisions and take responsibility for their actions. Think about a time when you led your team and mention that in your CV to stand out from the crowd.
6. Time Management
The ability to manage time effectively is critical in any job. Employers look for candidates who can prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage their workload efficiently. They need to know that when a task is assigned, they can expect it within the required timeframe. A time management course can go a long way toward helping you gain this key skill.
7. Creativity
The ability to think creatively and outside the box is highly valued in many industries. Employers seek candidates who can generate new ideas, innovate, and find creative solutions to problems. Creativity is a soft skill that is difficult to learn and should be nurtured over a long period.
8. Technical Skills
While soft skills are essential, technical skills are also important. Employers seek candidates who possess the technical skills necessary to do the job. In today’s job market, employees use many technical tools to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Therefore, having the right technical skills matters if you are looking for a job. Pitman offers various programs to help you level up your technical skills. Learn more about our courses and diplomas.
9. Analytical Skills
Analytical skills are highly valued in many industries. Employers seek candidates who can analyze data, draw conclusions, and make informed decisions. Analytical skills are considered one of the top professional and employability skills since they are strengthened through experience and gathering knowledge. It takes a long time to build. Therefore it is a key skill for your CV.
10. Initiative
Employers want candidates who can take the initiative, show leadership, and drive results. Candidates who are self-starters and can work independently are highly valued. Employers also admire personnel who have quick learning abilities.
If you have taken the initiative to start something new in your current (or previous) job, then be sure to include this in your CV for prospective employers to see.
Possessing a range of employability skills is essential for career success in today's job market. Employers look for candidates who have the technical skills required for the job and possess soft skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, leadership, time management, creativity, analytical skills, and initiative. Highlighting these skills on your CV will help you stand out in the job market and increase your chances of success in your career.
If you feel that you lack the right skills and want to upskill, then contact us to learn more about our courses and diplomas. Similarly, if you lack the soft skills to become more employable, then sign up for one of our personal development courses.
The career you dream of is there for you; you just need to go out and grab it.
