Introduction

The National Association of Colleges and Employers developed a list of essential skills employers look for in an employee. This list of career-readiness skills was developed through extensive research among employers in the United States (details about the research are available here – Employer Survey Results).

You should research specifics within your own region and industry but these general skills are widely desired and will help you be more marketable in your career and job search throughout the world. 

8 Essential Skills

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

• Use sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems
• Obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data for reasoning and analyzing
• Bonus: demonstrate originality and inventiveness

Teamwork/Collaboration

• Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers of diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints
• Work within a team structure
• Negotiate and manage conflict

Leadership

• Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals
• Use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others
• Assess and manage his/her emotions and those of others
• Use empathetic skills to guide and motivate
• Organize, prioritize, and delegate work

Professionalism/Work Ethic

• Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits (punctuality, working productively with others, and time workload management)
• Understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image
• Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior
• Act responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind
• Learn from mistakes

Oral/Written Communications

• Clearly and effectively articulate thoughts and express ideas:
  
  • In writing and in speaking
  • To persons inside and outside the organization
• Create, edit and communicate effective and clear memos, letters, and technical reports.

Digital Technology

• Use existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently - to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals
• Adapt quickly and effectively to new and emerging technologies

Career Management

• Identify and articulate one's skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals
• Identify areas necessary for professional growth.
• Navigate and explore job options
• Understand and take the steps necessary to pursue opportunities
• Self-advocate for opportunities in the workplace

Global/Intercultural Fluency

• Value, respect, and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions
• Demonstrate openness, inclusiveness, sensitivity, and the ability to interact respectfully with all people
• Understand and respect individuals’ differences

Essential Skills adapted from competencies provided courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, www.naceweb.org