Week#4 - Interviews

Skills Most Sought After by Employers

Adapted from: Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., and Katharine Hansen, Ph.D. “What Do Employers Really Want? Top Skills and Values Employers Seek from Job-Seekers”, Quintessential Careers, http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html  Accessed Sept 21, 2014.

Communications Skills (listening, verbal, written). By far, the one skill mentioned most often by employers is the ability to listen, write, and speak effectively. Successful communication is critical in business.

Sample: Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in  writing.

Analytical/Research Skills. Deals with your ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and identify key issues that need to be addressed.

Sample: Highly analytical thinking with demonstrated talent for identifying, scrutinizing,improving, and streamlining complex work processes.

Computer/Technical Literacy. Almost all jobs now require some basic understanding of computer hardware and software, especially word processing, spreadsheets, and email.

Sample: Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering wide variety of applications.

Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities. Deals with your ability to manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.

Sample: Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.

Interpersonal Abilities. The ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate, and mitigate conflict with co-workers is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day.

Sample: Proven relationship-builder with unsurpassed interpersonal skills.