Want your job application to stand out? Employers say they look for these six skills
Experts have identified six key skills that will count as much as qualifications in getting and keeping a job in the coming decade.
A new study from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has identified six key transferable skills that employers believe are just as important as qualifications when it comes to getting and keeping a job in the coming decade. This comes as research suggests up to three million low- to mid-level jobs could be lost to AI and automation by 2035. With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, businesses are being consulted on how people can demonstrate these essential skills.
Christian Townsley, co-founder of the North Bar group, emphasizes the importance of staying calm, organizing work, multitasking, and identifying priorities in a busy bar setting. He observes potential hires working with customers and the team to assess their communication and organizational skills.
Many employers want new recruits to be able to react to issues as they arise and take decisive action, according to Maria Aderonmu, who transitioned from a political science degree to a career at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure. She credits her experience in the debating society for helping her think on her feet.
Employers like ONS data, 981,000 people aged 16-24 were not in education, employment or training between April and June. People directors emphasize the need for young people to showcase problem-solving skills, whether from school experiences or team participation. They encourage candidates to demonstrate how they would apply these skills in a work setting.
Jake Readman, general manager of North Bar, stresses the importance of developing communication skills, de-escalating conflicts, and showing initiative. El Cousins, who applied for a job at North Bar, believes meeting potential employers in person helps them gauge personality, which may not always be apparent on paper.
Collaboration is a crucial skill sought by employers across industries, according to Lynn Bassett, HR director of Barbour's factory. Employees are expected to work as a team, sharing responsibilities such as organizing beer, pricing products, and managing social media. Creative thinking and problem-solving are also highly valued, with Bassett suggesting interview questions designed to uncover innovative solutions in various situations.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
