Employability Skills

How to build your employability skills?

What are skills?

Employability skills, often referred to as "soft skills" or "transferable skills," are the core attributes and personal skills you need to enter, stay in, and progress in the world of work—no matter your job or career path. These are different from technical skills, which are specific to particular tasks, roles, or industries. Employability skills are universal and are valued by employers across all job sectors. They include:

Communication

The ability to convey information clearly and effectively through both verbal and written means. It involves active listening, presenting ideas clearly, and the ability to tailor your message to your audience.

Business Awareness

Understanding the business environment includes knowledge of how organisations operate, the challenges they face, and awareness of current economic and market trends. It also involves understanding the business’s mission and how one's role contributes to achieving it.

Initiative

Showing a readiness to act and take charge without being asked. It means being resourceful, proactive in problem-solving, and willing to take calculated risks when necessary to achieve results.

Creativity

The capacity to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. Creativity involves a willingness to experiment, adapt, and implement novel ideas that can drive change and lead to improvements.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to inspire and guide others towards a common goal. It involves setting a vision, motivating team members, delegating tasks effectively, and taking responsibility for the team's performance.

Planning

The process of setting goals, outlining steps, and scheduling tasks in order to achieve objectives efficiently and effectively. Good planning requires an understanding of priorities, resource management, and foresight to anticipate potential obstacles.

Self-management

The ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviours effectively in different situations. This includes managing stress, maintaining a positive attitude, being punctual, setting personal goals, and working towards continuous self-improvement.

Teamwork

The ability to work cohesively with others towards a common goal. Teamwork involves collaboration, respecting the diverse abilities and contributions of team members, resolving conflicts constructively, and being reliable and accountable within a group setting.

Employers value employability skills because they are critical for effective performance at work. While technical skills may get you an interview, employability skills often get you the job and help you to keep it. They are transferable to different roles and industries, and they help professionals navigate the complex landscape of the workplace, collaborate with others, and excel in their roles.