Finding the right skills in 2023
In today’s competitive employment market, organizations of all sizes need top talent to drive their business forward. When it comes to bringing in new staff, qualifications, experience and team fit are all key considerations for any hiring manager. However, finding people with the right skills is perhaps the most important element of all in the recruitment process.
Of course, the term ‘skills’ can cover a broad range of attributes – and different jobs will demand different types of skills. For some roles, a solid grasp of the the technical skills necessary to operate certain software or equipment is what is required. For other positions, soft skills such as communication, team work and initiative are top of the list for recruiters. However, for the vast majority of roles, a balance of hard and soft skills are highly sought after by hiring managers – with the specific blend depending on the demands of the role.
Your degree will have provided you with subject-specific and transferable skills. It's important to be able to reflect on what they are, and where you gained them.
According to Manpower Group's The Talent Shortage survey, 77% of global employers are having difficulty recruiting. In the UK, it's 80%.
The top five in-demand skills areas were:
In addition to these specific areas, employers in the survey reported difficulties in finding employees with these transferable skills:
Here are some other skills that employers look out for when taking on new recruits.
Effective communication
How clearly you put across your ideas and your ability to listen to others is an important skill for any job hunter to demonstrate. Employers will be keen to see how you build rapport, persuade and negotiate.
Use your CV or application form to outline specific written and verbal examples of when you've put these skills into practice. This might be any public speaking you've done, or writing for a student newspaper, for example. Show how you tailored your message to the target audience.
Resilience
This refers to your ability to deal with setbacks, and is something that graduate employers have increasingly started to consider. How well do you cope with stressful situations or when something goes wrong? How do you react to unexpected changes or problems that occur during a project?
You aren't expected to be unaffected by these events, but you need to be able to show that you react to them positively and are able to develop strategies to deal with them.
Commercial awareness
Also known as business acumen, this is all about understanding how an industry or particular organisation works - where it sits in the market, who its competitors are and having knowledge of current developments in the field.
To exhibit commercial awareness, you'll need to show you've done your research on the company and the sector it sits in. Membership of a professional organization or relevant work experience can also be used to illustrate this skill.
Leadership and management
Even if you're not applying for a management position, you'll still need to demonstrate to employers that you have the potential to motivate and lead others to achieve common objectives. It's also important to evidence the skill of self-management - demonstrating a situation where you've managed your own time successfully.
On application forms, detail situations where you've had the opportunity to plan and coordinate tasks during your degree or in extra-curricular activities such as university clubs and societies. The ability to solve problems and conflicts is always highly valued by recruiters.
Planning and research skills
To accomplish certain work tasks, you may need to come up with a suitable strategy and plan of action. This could involve seeking out relevant information from various sources. How you analyse, interpret and report these findings is what's important here.
Highlight the relevant skills you've developed during your degree - reading around a subject and analysing that information before writing an essay, for instance, or interpreting the results of a scientific experiment.
Adaptability
Organisations want to stay competitive, so it's essential to show employers that you're able to adapt to new situations and learn new skills in the workplace. Possessing this skill also tells employers that you're a good leader who handles challenges well.
To evidence this in your application you could use examples of a time you've learned new skills or processes at university, or an instance when you've adapted to a new or challenging situation in your part-time job.
Teamwork and interpersonal skills
Most graduates will have had the chance to work in teams during their time at university and in part-time jobs or work placements. Employers will be looking at your individual contribution towards achieving common goals.
This isn't just about times when you've led a team successfully, but also when you've been an effective team member taking instructions and direction from somebody else.
Relevant work experience
It's not just about showing you have the necessary skills. Having some relevant work experience is also important to help you stand out in a competitive jobs market and demonstrate to employers that you're serious about the role.
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