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Eight skills employers look for

Although some of us have returned to the office, some of us are still working from home. No matter where you’re performing your duties, you’ll know that COVID-19 has impacted on the nature of the workforce.

We somehow think differently and operate differently.

In this ‘new normal’ employers are looking for skills in employees that enable organisations to be flexible while moving forward with purpose.

As a jobseeker you need to be up on what’s required in this new normal, so you gain and/or emphasise in-demand skills.

What are the top in-demand skills?

SEEK believes there are five main in-demand skills—resilience, confidence using technology, agility, proactivity and emotional intelligence.

These are great skills to have, but so too are three of our top favorites—attitude, honesty and integrity, and the ability to solve problems.

Handling in-demand skills when looking for work

Highlight in-demand skills in your resume, providing supporting examples or evidence. Mull over examples for each as you prepare for interviews, so you confidently weave them into your answers.

If you’re lacking a critical in-demand skill, set a goal and start learning. Take a short or long course or register for training opportunities.

Top eight in-demand skills

  1. Resilience

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties—the ability to spring back into shape after facing a challenge. In today’s evolving and demanding environment, organisations need to be resilient to keep moving and growing. Without resilience, organisations will stagnate, losing productivity and profitability.

  1. Confidence using technology

Being technologically savvy is increasingly important. This skill isn’t just ability with standard software, like Microsoft Office. It’s about technology tools that make us agile. Examples are platforms for communicating through video, such as Zoom, and collaboration platforms enabling you to share files and work with others in real time. Finally, learn technology for remote learning.

  1. Agility

If major natural events like bushfires, and worldwide pandemics like COVID, have taught us anything it’s that we must be able to shift the way we move, easily and quickly. Being agile is critical in a work environment that can be radically different from one day to the next or even from one hour to the next. Agility supports business to survive and thrive.

  1. Proactivity

When management is swamped coping with shifting priorities, they look to employees who are proactive. That’s proactive in figuring out how to help. It’s also proactive in making suggestions. On a personal front it’s proactive in seeking out new opportunities and learning. This lets management focus on other priorities.

  1. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your emotions, as well as the emotions of others, to think and enhance reasoning. It’s increasingly important in turbulent times when work is unpredictable or moving at a fast pace. Remember that emotional intelligence is just as important when dealing with internal stakeholders, like your colleagues, boss or other managers, as it is when dealing with external stakeholders, like clients, customers or partners.

  1. Attitude

Employers love a positive attitude. They’re not big fans of whingers. Having a positive attitude can impact your career and even make you better at your job. It can also improve the way you’re seen as a person. Make no mistake. Employers appreciate an upbeat and optimistic approach.

  1. Honesty and integrity

Honesty is the best policy at work (and in life!). Employers notice and appreciate employees who are open, honest and operate with integrity. If you have these attributes, you can usually be counted on to contribute to a healthy team environment. Operating this way is also integral to building your leadership skills.

  1. Problem solving

Being able to problem solve is critical in today’s work environment. If you have this skill, employers will see you as a major support and know they can count on you to help the organisation improve and become more efficient and effective.

Learn more about putting your best foot forward with new job opportunities

Take the bull by the horns

Bad work habits to ditch in 2021

Seven ways to upskill for the future

Applying for work during COVID-19

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