It’s always important to have inside knowledge! And we’re about to give you some important knowledge right now!
Whether you are looking at an internship, part-time job or a graduate job – all employers are looking for a similar set of skills. Here are the top 10 in no particular order.
Be sure to display knowledge of them (covertly and overtly) in any interview that you have!
1. Adaptability
How good are you at dealing with change? We are in an ever changing world – the only certain thing is that things will change. Were there any times in your working career when you demonstrated flexibility and a willingness to adapt? Think clearly about this and develop some set answers that focus on real examples from your working life.
2. Commitment
All employers are looking for commitment in the people they employ. It’s difficult to demonstrate commitment or loyalty if you have only had part time jobs or no jobs at all. One way around this is to emphasise a commitment to customer satisfaction or quality. Did you ever go that extra mile to make a difference for the customer? This will be appreciated – your efforts to provide a better service and produce items of a higher quality (in a cost efficient way) will be looked upon in a positive light.
3. Communication
It is said that many of the problems, which happen in organisations, are due to a breakdown in communications. Can you show that they have an awareness of what constitutes good lines of communication, that you realise its importance for success and that you have demonstrated in a practical way your commitment to ensuring good communication in all working activities.
4. Creativity in Problem Solving
Can you show that your approach to solving problems does not rely on all the old familiar approaches but that your approach involves using not only logic but also imagination and creativity? Examples of how your approach saved money or produced excellent results will impress the employer.
5. Decision Making
Demonstrate that you have a strategy. This strategy will be logical and well thought out, show that you can make decisions. Give examples of when confronted with a problem or an opportunity you examined the options and decided where the business wanted to be in the future. You then set some objectives and drew up an action plan.
6. Evaluation
Following from above you need to show how you are committed to providing for the evaluation and review of the decisions you have taken. Give examples of your evaluation strategy and how you applied it.
7. Foresight
A well-considered approach to looking into the future and seeing the problems before they occur. How did you demonstrate the ability to see the trouble a long way off before it was upon you? This is a valuable skill and one that future employers will appreciate and value.
8. Independence
How much do you need to be supervised? Can you work on your own? Can you set your own agenda in line with the needs of the organisation? How did you show this? Give examples of when and under what circumstances you took responsibility to good effect.
9. A Team Player
Success is a team game! Organisations will want to see that you can lead and be lead – negotiate with others – work collaboratively on problems and encourage colleagues to give their best. What examples of this do you have from your working life?
10. Value Added Marketing
You may not be a sales person but every member of the organisation is expected to play a part in ‘selling the product’ even in the care or public sector. Most organisations adopt a ‘market lead’ approach to business. What ever you think about this there is no doubt that there is no business where there are no customers. Your future employer will be looking for evidence of your support of the marketing function. How did you forward the image of your company to the customers?