10 Must-Have Skills Employers Look For In New Graduates
As is natural, employers seek candidates with a specific set of skills and knowledge required for a job. Beyond that, however, they are looking for various soft skills that are not related to academic competence but are nonetheless at the core of any industry. These transferable skills or attitudes can set you apart from other candidates, regardless of your work sector. So, without further ado, here are ten employability skills hiring managers are looking for:
1. Communication
Getting the message across effectively is key to any work environment. Clear communication and interpersonal skills at work include oral and written language, listening for understanding and negotiating. Employers are looking for individuals who can stay focused, understand what is needed of them, and have the communication techniques to impact the workplace. Our MBA in Marketing Strategy is the perfect distance-learning option for you to develop these skills.
2. Teamwork
Making the transition from being a student to being an employee is a challenge, and if there is one thing that definitely changes, it’s that you don’t work alone anymore. Teamwork is all about being able to trust in other people’s abilities in order to achieve a goal. Any company looking to hire is interested in candidates who show responsibility, collaboration, and honesty. Being part of a group means valuing other people’s views and working together (even managing others) to fulfill tasks. Show them that you can be a team player who can delegate to others and take on responsibility. When listing skills needed for a job, these should be at the top of your attributes. Their importance lies in that they promote the building of healthy and positive relationships in the workspace and help the company grow.
3. Adaptability
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that companies face challenges that force them to adapt and change all the time. Beyond the academic skills needed to get a job, employees must show that they are flexible. Exhibiting adaptability skills in the workplace means responding positively to unexpected changes, learning new things, and managing to get the job done. Let hiring managers know that you are not afraid of change.
4. Problem Solving
Another key aspect of employability is your ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills in the workplace. Strategically approaching and resolving any issue that might come up is essential for work. Employers value productive attitudes. Hiring managers will try to understand whether you possess decision-making skills, research skills, as well as an analytical approach during the interview process. They are looking for highly responsive and proactive individuals. Companies rely on employees who take the initiative and solve problems creatively.
5. Leadership
Νew graduates will probably not land a managerial job right from the start, but they should nonetheless prove their leadership skills in the workplace. At the entry-level, this translates to being able to lead by example, so fulfilling your tasks and taking the initiative is important. These skills will be helpful during the whole of your career. Moreover, since many companies prefer to promote from within, they are looking for these skills even when hiring for entry-level positions. They want a candidate who can assign tasks, can reliably motivate coworkers and has a responsible attitude.
6. Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are skills you use to communicate and interact with others. Sometimes referred to as ”people skills,” they are all about building positive and strong working relationships. They aim to achieve good communication through respect, persuasion, and empathy. How you treat coworkers, superiors, and customers is proof of your inner drive, which is exactly what employers want.
7. Work Ethic
A strong work ethic is indispensable for any company. Individuals who possess work ethic skills also become a source of motivation for other employees. As a new graduate, this is an excellent skill to highlight when applying for jobs. Employers are looking for trustworthy candidates who can finish their tasks, meet deadlines and take the initiative without anyone having to check their progress. Your commitment, integrity, and dependability will shine through your work.
8. Organisation
This set of skills determines how well you can stay on task, whether you can get your work done in time, and how efficiently you approach different situations. Examples of organisational skills at work are productivity, time management, planning, prioritisation, and delegation, to name a few. Self-management is at the core of an organisation and a well-sought-after quality by hiring managers. Ensure your future employers that you can work as efficiently and productively as needed to get the job done.
9. Negotiation
While the ability to negotiate is part and parcel of attending company meetings and closing deals, its benefits extend far beyond that. Negotiation in the workplace translates to ensuring win-win outcomes. This can mean achieving smooth cooperation among company employees or finding solutions to problems and dilemmas that the company faces with the competition.
Your attitude during a negotiation can affect future negotiations you might be part of as well as your reputation. You need to be clear on the goal of the negotiation, what you want to achieve, and how, but also to understand where the other side is coming from. Remember, the goal is for both parties to gain something. Reaching a deal that makes everyone happy is undoubtedly difficult, but this is why these skills are highly valued.
10. Creativity
You might immediately think of arts when hearing words such as ‘creativity’ and ‘open-mindedness’, but the truth is they are essential and applicable to almost every job. A healthy curiosity, a mind for innovation, and openness to learning the same things in a new way are much wanted attributes in employees. In fact, creative thinking skills are the most highly demanded ones today. Organisations need candidates who bring out-of-the-box approaches to problem scenarios. Creativity helps everyone in the company gain an advantage over the competition and boosts productivity within the company.
Conclusion
Clearly showing you possess such skills and attitudes in your applications, cover letters, and interviews will give you a high chance of getting the job and impressing hiring managers. As a graduate with little to no job experience, demonstrating these is your best bet. Our distance-learning programmes at GBU-Europe are tailored to developing these skills in all students. So if you’re looking for a surefire way to acquire them, apply today!
