In a competitive job market, young professionals need to work hard on developing skills that will make them employable. No matter what your degree is, you should master a few transferable skills to help yourself get hired. Start early, and take advantage of areas in which you can build your resume. Here are 7 transferable work skills all young professionals should have on their CV:
As a young professional, your communication skills are essential. Regardless of your job, you’ll need to articulate your thoughts on paper. Writing and editing skills are some of the most sought after. Fortunately, you can practice these both in university and at internships. With sharp communication skills, you will be able to take part in key projects for a company.
If you can work effectively with a team, you’ll be able to move up quickly within an organization. Collaboration is a key skill for any position. Furthermore, working with people toward a common goal is an excellent way to build relationships, and discover unique ideas. Whether you’re part of a small startup or a large corporation, teamwork is one of the most important transferable work skills a young professional can develop.
Strong analytical skills are the best way to become a problem solver at work. If you want to move up in your organization, you need to show that you’re ambitious when it comes to facing issues in the company. If you combine analytical skills with strong research, you’ll be the go-to person when it comes to developing strategy.
Public speaking is perhaps one of the hardest transferable work skills to achieve. Many professionals never master this ability. If you can stay calm and confident when presenting in front of crowds, you’ll be an asset. When working in groups, the team member with public speaking skills will make the biggest impression in presentations.
Organization and time management are important skills, both in and out of the office. In order to maximize your work efficiency, try to master these skills early on. Being organized and managing your time will ensure you keep track of your assignments and projects, and show employers you are capable of leading projects.
If you ever hope to hold a management position, you should start by improving your leadership skills. Fortunately, there are many skills that go into leadership. Start by boosting your own creativity, leadership and interpersonal skills. Taking on leadership roles in university and early in your career will help develop confidence and make you a more effective employee.
For adventurous young professionals, the most important transferable work skills are those that allow you to work anywhere. Adaptable employees are highly valued in today’s marketplace. Get some international experience on your CV to show employers that you’re globally minded, culturally aware and able to succeed in any environment.
Photos:
1. Aerial of Singapore’s Skyline, by Marco Verch, CC BY 2.0
2. 20140808_StartupStockPhotos58, by Danielcenoz, CC BY-ND 2.0