According to the U.S. Department of Labor in January 2016, the number of unemployed persons in the United States was approximately 7.8 million, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%. Job seekers are facing a job market where competition for an open position is higher than ever. With such stiff competition, employees must present themselves well and be certain to highlight their talent in the skills that employers value most.
The Skills Employers Are Seeking in Prospective Employees
- The ability to work well on a team with diverse members
- The capacity to make firm decisions quickly
- The skill of creative problem solving
- The ability to communicate effectively and efficiently both inside the organization and with external stakeholders
- The ability to plan and prioritize work without constant supervision
>Showing Employers You Have Those Skills
Interviews are usually fairly brief. Chances are you will not have longer than an hour to explain or demonstrate these skills. That’s why you need to have communicated how strong you are in these areas before you even interview via your cover letter and resumé. Whenever possible, give specific written examples demonstrating these skills. Introducing these sought after skills in writing and then elaborating on them during your interview will show employers that you have what they want!