In today’s cutthroat job market, scoring an interview is tough enough – let alone landing that coveted position. In addition to having a solid resume, having the right skillset can help to improve your performance and impress your potential employer. Here are some resume-boosting skills to pick up that will get you hired, stat!
Adaptability
It’s important to demonstrate that you’re able to transfer skills you’ve learnt from other jobs and courses to your work. Hirers look out for skills that are most applicable to their field, so list those first. Even if they weren’t initially looking for someone with those talents, they may be intrigued enough to want you working for the company. Who knows, they might create a special role just for you!
Importance: ✮✮✮✮☆
Business Development
You may not be the boss of the company or even be in any decision-making management role. However, if you have a good head for business strategy and can see potential opportunities and downfalls where others can’t, be sure to pipe up and your enterprising suggestions will soon take you up the ranks quickly.
Importance: ✮✮✮☆☆
Business Ethics
Companies are always working towards building a good reputation in society by becoming more transparent, charitable and building a safe workplace with high standards. If you’ve had experience with volunteering, creating policies or quality control, be sure to bring them up in your application. Many businesses spend big bucks in these two areas to get their products and services seen in the market. It would be a great help if you have experience in these aspects and can offer some assistance with ideas before the company goes to an external creative firm.
Importance: ✮✮✮✮☆
Content Creation
Being able to create good content – from churning out timely and relevant articles, to brainstorming creative story ideas for clients, to managing social media – is always a treasured skill. It pulls people to the brand and gives it credibility, so all companies need it whether they know it or not.
Importance: ✮✮✮✮☆
Contract Negotiation
Clinching big deals is a big deal. Not everyone has the skills to win over tough clients or negotiate the best bargain for your company. It takes good communication and trust-building skills, as well as being quick, decisive and assertive when needed. If the employer feels like you can be the person to crack the code, the job is basically in your pocket.
Importance: ✮✮☆☆☆
Data Analysis
Are you able to look at data gathered from the web or surveys and tell what’s working or not for your company, who your customers really are and what they’re looking for? As the market gets saturated with more copycat businesses, being able to stand out and really connect with your audience is what will take your brand to the next level.
Importance: ✮✮☆☆☆
Design And Illustration
Almost every business requires something to be designed, whether it’s posters, a newsletter or packaging, so this skill is always a good one to have. To further hone your sense of aesthetics, balance and colour, take up creative internships and design courses to help keep your style fresh and appealing to the masses.
Importance: ✮✮☆☆☆
Marketing And Advertising
Many businesses spend big bucks in these two areas to get their products and services seen in the market. It would be a great help if you have experience in these aspects and can offer some assistance with ideas before the company goes to an external creative firm.
Importance: ✮✮✮☆☆
Presentation
Even the best products won’t do well without nice packaging, which is why you’d be sought after if you can create impressive powerpoints and talk about your company in an engaging and compelling way to clients. To get your foot in the door and prove this point, start by designing a flawless resume!
Importance: ✮✮✮☆☆
Search Engine Optimisation
All companies want to be top on the list when people do a search for products and services they offer. You can always read up online or in books on how to do search engine optimisation, but if you’ve had formal training or prior experience in setting up content so that your brand appears first in search results, it’s definitely a selling point.
Importance: ✮✮✮✮☆
Team Building
Unless you’re working by yourself, this skill will certainly come in handy. Most businesses underestimate how important co-worker relations is to the performance and camaraderie of a company. A smart boss hires people who work well with others, and can help staff learn and cooperate together to build a successful business with contributions from everyone.
Importance: ✮✮✮✮☆
Web And User Experience Design
Think about the number of times you’ve been asked if you know someone who can create a website. Every business worth its salt these days has one, and they’re always looking to improve their site so that customers find it easy to navigate, make purchases and look up information. You’ll be one precious employee if you can contribute to this.
Importance: ✮✮☆☆☆
This article was adapted from Teenage Vol.30 Issue 2.
More related stories: 5 Ways To Land A Job With No Work Experience, How To Survive Being Googled By Potential Bosses, 5 Essential Tips To Know Before Heading To An Interview
