Having a qualification can give you the opportunity to find employment, but it is the skills that you have developed which will keep you in a job.
Whether you are a student who is about to enter the job market, a graduate searching for your first opportunity or an experienced professional looking to move up the ladder, developing fundamental career skills can make you a better communicator, more adept problem solver and team player.
Five skills tend to be highly transferable across industries: communication, problem-solving, teamwork, time management and adaptability.
1. Communication
Communication is one of the most sought-after skills by employers.
It is also one of the most over-looked; to communicate well you must write clearly, speak authoritatively, listen attentively and ask pertinent questions.
It can be as simple as explaining a situation clearly to your supervisor, answering a customer’s query or sending a polite email to a colleague.
How to improve communication
You can develop this skill by:
- Practicing clear, concise and professional writing
- Paying attention before you respond
- Asking questions if you are unsure
- Practicing presentations and interviews
- Learning to communicate in a respectful manner with all people
Good communication can eliminate confusion and facilitate collaboration.
2. Problem-solving
Problems, like it or not, form part of almost every workplace.
Problem-solving is being able to recognise the issue, identify potential causes and considering possible solutions.
A customer, for instance, may raise a complaint about a product or service, which means the employee has to acknowledge the problem, decide why it occurred and determine the best method of resolution.
How to improve problem-solving
Strive to develop the following habits:
- Recognising the problem
- Dividing complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces
- Brainstorming potential solutions
- Weighing up the pros and cons of each option
- Learning from your mistakes
Employers are looking for people who can think through a challenge methodically rather than panicking when faced with an issue.
3. Teamwork
In most workplaces, you are required to work with colleagues.
That does not mean you have to agree with them, but it does require you to listen to their ideas, share your responsibilities and consider different viewpoints.
Good teamwork also involves cooperating consistently and communicating effectively with others.
How to develop teamwork skills
Teamwork can be developed by:
- Doing team projects
- Volunteering
- Playing sports
- Being involved in extracurricular activities
- Joining the workplace
- Completing collaborative assignments
Working as part of a team is often a key skill to have when starting out in the working world.
4. Time management
Time management refers to a person’s ability to organise their work and complete it in a timely manner.
With competing priorities vying for your attention, knowing how to mange your workload and which tasks to prioritise can save you from having to stay late at the office every day.
Simple ways to improve time management
You can start by:
- Making a list
- Ranking your tasks
- Dividing large projects into smaller, more easily-manageable pieces
- Setting achievable deadlines
- Eliminating distractions
- Giving yourself a pep talk
Time management is a good skill to develop long before you enter the working world.
5. Adaptability
Work environments are constantly changing.
You may have to learn a new digital tool or process, work with different colleagues or take on a new responsibility.
Adaptability is having the willingness and ability to learn new things.
How to become more adaptable
Some ways to increase your adaptability are:
- Learning new digital tools and processes
- Being open to constructive criticism and feedback
- Trying out new skills
- Learning from your mistakes
- Having the desire to acquire new skills
- Being able to roll with the punches
Adaptability is especially important in the early years of your career as you will be constantly exposed to new information and processes.
Why these skills matter to job seekers
Your career skills can complement your academic credentials.
An employer may be looking for someone with a specific qualification, but still need to be assured that the candidate can deliver on the job.
That is why it is important for job seekers to develop an understanding of these fundamental skills.
They can even be showcased in an interview by providing examples of when you have successfully demonstrated these skills in the past.
How students can build career skills before getting a job
You do not have to wait until you have a permanent job to start building your employability skills.
Many students have the opportunity to gain work experience through internships and learnerships, but you can also seek out volunteer opportunities, part-time jobs, community projects and students’ organisations.
When you are applying for a job, you can use these opportunities as examples of how you have developed your employability skills.
The bottom line
Communication, problem-solving, teamwork, time management and adaptability are five fundamental career skills that can serve you in almost any industry.
They are not a substitute for technical skills, but can support you as you develop your career.
The good news is that they can be learned through daily practice and study.
Editorial and fact-checking information
Editorial approach: This article focuses on general career skills that apply to most professions.
Fact-checking: The skills and examples provided are general in nature. Specific employers will have different, more specialised requirements depending on the industry.
Corrections: If a correction needs to be made, the article should be updated to reflect factual information.
