What are the employability skills that employers look for?
Some skills are highly specific and require specialist training. However, the general skills and abilities that employers look for, usually referred to as employability skills, are those which can be developed in one environment and applied in another in a new context. Below are examples of some of the key employability skills that employers are looking for: • decision making • problem solving • planning • oral communication • written communication • negotiating • adapting • leadership • business awareness • researching information • flexibility • IT • literacy • time management • numeracy • team working • ability to prioritise You do not necessarily need all these skills to the same extent – different jobs require particular combinations of skills and abilities and matching your own skills to particular jobs is a part of effective career choice. Remember: Most of all, employers are looking for graduates who are willing to learn and are capable of applying themselves to real situations
