The JobSync Blog
Must-Have skills for Jobseekers This Year
January 5, 2012
With 2012 just underway, many job hunters are wondering what they need to do differently this year to improve their prospects. And some are pondering if it will even make a difference. While today’s job market is challenging, there are certainly ways to make sure you are truly ready when the ideal opportunity comes along.
Earlier this month, Marketwatch.com discussed five critical skills many employers feel candidates must have to fit in at their companies. This skills are:
1. Adaptability: Given the demanding economy, companies are finding they must be nimble and be able to make quick adjustments if they are to survive. And companies can only do this if they hire employees who are adaptable and capable of quickly taking on new responsibilities.
2. Creativity: Similarly, the present economic environment also requires novel and innovative approaches if companies are to weather the periodic storms encumbering their businesses. Hence, employees must be creative if their employer hopes to navigate the choppy seas they will invariably encounter.
3. Technical literacy: As more employees are being called upon to do more, it is important that they are capable of handling some of the simple technical operations (such as data entry, to help keep the company running smoothly). Employees should also be literate in social media to promote their companies as well as expand their networks.
4. Business acumen: In increasingly competitive markets, experts believe a broader band of employees at a company need to be both aware and understanding of its sales. Beyond basic marketing, company workers need to be conversant about the advantages of their products and services.
5. Flexible proficiency: In addition to being simply adaptable and taking on more responsibilities, companies need individuals who are quick learners and compliant. As one expert calls it, being “solid organizational citizens” who can take on other jobs as market demands fluctuate.
We would like to add one more critical attribute job candidates will need this year: patience. To take on more and learn more requires diligent perseverance. And without it, none of these other five critical skills would even be possible.
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