5 Skills To Master To Land The Job You Want

Contributed post

If you’re looking for a job, then you’ve probably got your resume all ready to go. Maybe you’ve even written a few cover letters and attended some interviews already. And more than likely, you’ve realized that despite the fact that there are a lot of jobs out there these days, the process is still quite competitive! You shouldn’t let this discourage you though, even if one or two early swings have been misses. Your dream job is out there somewhere, and as you continue the search we have some tips that may just give you a boost.

The following are some skills you can master and demonstrate that go beyond basic resumes and cover letters and show employers what you can bring to the table.

1. Leadership

Strong leadership skills are pretty high on the must-have list. Why? Well, because employers often look for potential leaders who can help manage teams and lead projects, and will handle themselves well under pressure. Additionally, companies look for employees who could possibly be promoted to higher roles in the future –– something that typically works out well for both the employee and the company.

Beyond showcasing past experience, good ways to demonstrate leadership potential during an interview process include being flexible, negotiating well, and answering questions with creativity.

2. Self-Motivation

Motivating yourself to get things done isn’t always easy. But if you can master it, you’ll also be capable of demonstrating one of the traits that job seekers benefit from the most. Employers notice self-motivation and “go-getter” attitudes, and they make extremely favorable impressions.

Plus, apart from helping you land that job, practicing self-motivation will also help you once you’ve been hired. You’ll be better able to tackle difficult tasks, get your work done, and still have time left for yourself.

3. Communication

Hailed as one of the most crucial soft skills for job applications in 2022, quality communication is something that potential employers pick up on immediately. From your first email, they’ll take note of how you go about making an impression, and whether or not you write and speak in clear, constructive ways.

Bear in mind also that communication skills include not only speaking, writing, and getting your message across concisely, but also nonverbal impressions and active listening. Everything you do sends a message, and if you manage to make that message clear and appealing, you’ll be in better standing not just in a professional capacity but in life in general.

4. Problem Solving

As much as we all would like our days to go by without a hitch, it doesn’t always happen. Being able to keep your cool and solve problems as they arise is an extremely valuable trait –– for you and your employer.

In order to hone this skill, think back to a time when you’ve identified and fixed a problem. How did you fix it? Was there any other solution to that problem? (Hindsight is 20/20, after all.) Additionally, take the time to test yourself by solving hypothetical or imaginary work problems that you may come up at your dream job. How would you deal with them? Practice makes perfect, and if you can speak to how you go about addressing issues during an interview, you’ll likely catch employers’ attention.

5. Collaboration

Together with communication, collaboration is a highly sought-after skill. Even if you consider your potential position to be one involving very little communication –– one without front-facing clients, for example –– being able to work together with team members while making sure that everyone is comfortable and pulling their weight is crucial. It’s also a skill that’s more important than ever today, considering that more employees are asking for remote positions and it’s harder for teams to stick together.

Demonstrating a desire to collaborate, and an aptitude for doing so, will make you stand out to potential employers. They’ll see you not just as a valuable individual, but as someone who can play a role in maintaining operational cohesion.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of skills needed to secure modern jobs, it should give you an idea of what to work on. Examine the jobs you might want, and look into what the companies are prioritizing. The time and effort you spend researching and improving your skills can pay off in more ways than you might think!