{
  "id": 3675843,
  "title": "Want your job application to stand out? Employers say they look for these skills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/want-your-job-application-to-stand-out-employers-say-they-look-for-3675843",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-26T23:08:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Business",
    "slug": "bbc-business",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn9n9n5p9eqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the job market continues to evolve, employers are placing increasing emphasis on certain transferable skills when evaluating potential hires. A significant five-year study conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has identified six key skills that are essential for securing and maintaining employment in the coming decade. With AI and automation potentially displacing up to three million low- to mid-level jobs by 2035, the competition to find employment is expected to become even more challenging. The NFER's research highlights the importance of demonstrating these soft skills, especially as over one million young people are currently not in education, employment, or training - the highest level in over a decade.\n\nEmployers emphasize the need for individuals to prioritize their own work and develop strong organizational abilities. For instance, Christian Townsley, co-founder of the North Bar group, stresses the significance of staying calm and keeping a cool head while multitasking and managing customer interactions. Trial shifts are often offered during the recruitment process to allow job seekers to showcase these skills in real-time. As employees advance in their positions, they are expected to take on greater responsibilities, including managing various aspects such as ordering, pricing, marketing, and recruitment.\n\nAnother crucial skill sought by employers is the ability to adapt to and resolve issues as they arise. Maria Aderonmu, who transitioned from a political science degree to a career in infrastructure project development, attributes her success to her ability to think on her feet. She credits her debating society experience in university for honing her skills in quick decision-making. When addressing potential employers, it is essential to demonstrate how your experiences in problem-solving outside of work can be applied to a professional setting.\n\nCommunication is another vital skill, particularly in high-pressure environments like busy bars. Jake Readman, general manager of North Bar, emphasizes the importance of developing communication skills and learning how to de-escalate and resolve conflicts. Confidence, a willingness to learn, and the ability to take initiative are also highly valued qualities. Face-to-face interactions with potential employers can provide valuable insights into a candidate's personality, which may not be fully conveyed through written applications or online profiles.\n\nCollaboration is a crucial skill sought by employers across various industries. Lynn Bassett, HR director at Barbour's factory in South Shields, stresses the importance of working effectively within a team, as each department is closely interconnected. Transferable skills, such as effectively communicating one's experiences of collaboration, are highly valued, even if an individual may not have direct experience relevant to the specific role. This skill is increasingly important in industries that require creative problem-solving, such as fashion. Addie Pattas, a placement student at Barbour, highlights the significance of keeping stakeholders informed throughout the problem-solving process. In an era where AI is becoming more prevalent, developing information literacy and the ability to apply human judgment to assess data reliability and credibility is crucial. This higher-level skill enables individuals to effectively interpret data, such as weather forecasts, and communicate its significance to relevant teams. As technology continues to advance, possessing these human skills will be essential for securing and maintaining employment in a higher skill level.",
  "summary": "Experts have identified six key skills that will count as much as qualifications in getting and keeping a job in the coming decade.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Want your job application to stand out? Employers say they look for these six skills",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/want-your-job-application-to-stand-out-employers-say-they-look-for",
        "published": "2026-08-26T23:08:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}