A skill may be defined as the capacity to perform a task well. Usually, skills are developed over a time through experience or training. A skill may be useful for doing a work in a number of jobs. Skill can also be used in learning. Ability may include aptitude, intelligence, physical ability, skill and expertise.

What are the various skills that employers expect from you?

There are many important things that you should do for job seeking. One among them is to find out those skills and abilities that you can add to the work force. Your skills and abilities are some of your most precious assets and you should not overlook them.
In the job market you are expected to possess three types of skills namely technical skills, transferable skills and personal skills.

1- Technical Skills

These are the specialized knowledge and skills needed for performing certain duties. A few examples of technical skills are word processing, driving forklift, flower arrangement, bookkeeping, nursing and gardening. All these are broader skills and each of them includes a number of specific skills that a person must possess for completing those technical tasks.

2- Transferable Skills

These are the basic skills needed for performing a range of tasks. These skills shall be "transferred" from one work area to another. Examples of transferable skills are money handling skills, problem solving, customer service, organization and communication.

3- Personal Skills

These are the individual qualities you possess. These qualities are personality, attitudes, and style of operation and work habits. A few examples of personal skills are the ability to work unsupervised, to work under pressure, being trustworthy, reliable and honest.

More often, we care more about our technical skills because we can identify them easily. Though technical skills are essential, you need more than just the ability to perform certain task. This is because employers will also look at the way you approach a work and how you interact with others

What is the situation in the job market?

When you go out in the job market, it can be a frightening aspect particularly when you are looking for a job that is completely strange from that kind of the job that you are used to do. It is a common perception that employers show interest in persons who have experience with some techniques or those who were doing similar kind of work previously. However after doing some research you can find out quickly about the number of opportunities that are available to you if you are able to exhibit certain skills essential for doing the job.

It is unfortunate that most of the individuals end up selling themselves short when attempting to list or express the skills that they have. You may find it much tougher to convince a potential employer that you are the right candidate for the job that he offers, if you are not confident about your skill set and if you lack the understanding of those skills, which are transferable into new markets. It is here that your capability in identifying your own skills and interests will help you in bridging the gap and showing to the employers that you are over qualified for the post you look for.

How can you identify and develop your skills?
  1. You can make an analysis of your skills. Those accomplishments from the very educational qualification to your past achievements are to be analyzed. You can also add your achievements in your past job. This helps you to understand about yourself in a better way.
  2. Do not hesitate to mention your skills when you apply for a job. Most of the time, interviews are to know about your q
    ualifications, flexibility, interpersonal relationship and so on. So, it will be an advantage if you could mention your skills in your application. Why do the companies conduct interviews? It is to know about all your different skills.
  3. If you are asked at the time of interview, why you prefer to work in that company, you can provide your genuine answers. Tell them you are interested with the company’s genuine production. If you have any special knowledge of any particular making, you can put it forward. It will make a great impact on the minds of the employer. More than that keep yourself positive, confident and of course pleasant.
What are the other employability skills?

The following skills are considered as “skills sought by the employers” - A survey conducted by the Australian National Training Authority.

Communication and Interpersonal Relationship:

Effective communication skills, listening, managing conflicts and cultural differences are considered in this area of expertise.

Leadership and Teamwork:

Providing direction is expected from you, it is called as leadership quality. Select the skilled people according the job requirements and provide the work towards achieving desired results.

Initiative and Problem Solving:

Your readiness and openness to face new challenges in your work is expected. This should be further continued with proper reasoning and logic analysis to resolve the problems that you face in your work place.

Planning and Management:

You need to make priorities, meet the targets and cope up with achieving desired results. The balance in different situations and good physical and mental health is important for a tireless service.

Accuracy and experience:

People those who have good experience in a particular field will be able to complete the job within a limited time than those who do not have good experience. Accuracy too, depends on the experience in many cases. Be precise in approach towards your tasks and have an eye for every detail.

Flexibility and Creativity:

Ability to acquire new skills through study, experience and training requires for a successful growth of any concern. The candidate needs to be flexible according to situational demands, adjust ones approach and welcome new ideas, methods and challenges.

Technology and Computers:

Work with new technology and show proficiency with required computer programs.

Can your continued reflection help you to improve your abilities?

Continued reflection helps you to update yourself in each and every work. It is to be done everyday, especially on the day where you had different experiences, or any difficulties. Identifying your skills the employers take them for granted. If you have a clear understanding about your skills and more confident when you approach employers then you can enable yourself to explore realistic work options. You must be able to reflect continually. That helps to keep moving upwards with corrections of your mistakes.

Personal Attributes

Why do personal attributes play a considerable role?

If you are very skilled but not honest and straight forward, it would be hard to keep yourself in a place for a long time. A committed employee will be placed in a higher position at many times than the really skilled person. Many skilled people might experience a similar kind of situation. Of course, the skills are respected.

The personal attributes expected by employers are as follows:
  • Balanced attitude to work
  • Reliability
  • Adaptability
  • Commonsense
  • Sense of humor
  • Honesty
  • Commitment
  • Loyalty
  • Personal presentation
  • Positive self esteem and confidence
  • Motivation
  • IntegrityEnthusiasm and
  • Ability to deal with pressure
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