{"id":927,"date":"2021-06-23T12:00:52","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T17:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/?p=927"},"modified":"2020-09-03T15:15:06","modified_gmt":"2020-09-03T20:15:06","slug":"the-top-10-most-valued-job-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/2021\/06\/23\/the-top-10-most-valued-job-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 10 Most Valued Job Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking to land your dream job? Before you can truly interview well, you have to understand what hiring managers are looking for and how that aligns with your job skills and experience.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

After all, when they ask you about your strengths or fit,\u00a0you want to wow them by describing the strengths that they most want and need in a candidate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Every job requires different technical knowledge and abilities, but beyond that,\u00a0there is a set of essential job skills and competencies that will increase your value<\/strong>\u00a0with just about any employer.<\/p>\n

We have compiled a list of the 10 most universally valued job skills<\/strong>\u00a0based on our extensive experience working with recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates. Our findings are also backed up by numerous surveys of employers, including those conducted by\u00a0the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re diving deep into each one so we\u2019ll do it in 3 parts, starting with the top 3\u00a0(and stay tuned for the next installments so you can weigh in on where you agree and disagree on the rankings).<\/em><\/p>\n

These are the competencies that are prized in both entry-level roles and senior-level positions, in industries from technology to medicine to finance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So naturally, these are also the skill sets to highlight in your resume, cover letter, and interview talking points. And if you\u2019re lacking in any of these areas, we\u2019ve got suggestions to help you develop and become a stronger candidate.<\/p>\n

I recommend reading through the list and rating yourself\u00a0(on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being perfection)<\/em>\u00a0in each category. This will give you a pretty clear idea of which strengths you should be \u201cselling\u201d\u00a0(and it\u2019s amazing to me how many naturally modest candidates shy away from properly demonstrating their strengths in interviews)<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 and which are areas for development (or maybe even your \u201cgreatest weakness\u201d).<\/p>\n

Most Valued Job Skills 1-3<\/p>\n

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Communication Skills<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Employers want to hire people who are able to communicate effectively<\/strong>\u00a0with those inside and outside of the organization.<\/p>\n

The communication skills category includes both verbal and written communication skills. That means being able to get your point across in discussions both in-person and virtual.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not enough to be well-spoken. Writing skills are now critical for almost every job because email has become such an important means of communication (and an email is often your first or only impression on a colleague, client, or partner).<\/p>\n

In most roles, you must be able to tailor your communications for different audiences. You have to be able to provide the big picture to senior executives and then get down into the detailed instructions for the technical experts. You may be writing directly to customers while simultaneously speaking the right lingo with your coworkers in different departments.<\/p>\n

As an employee, you may also be called upon to write reports, newsletters, blog posts and articles, summations, employee reviews, and more. Without adequate (or stellar) written communication skills, your career could suffer.<\/p>\n

Why Are Communication Skills So Highly Prized by Employers?<\/h3>\n

Strong communication skills make you more productive and more effective.<\/strong>\u00a0When you communicate well the first time, you save a lot of time that would otherwise be wasted on clarifying, answering questions, correcting wrong perceptions, chasing people down, and fixing mistakes.<\/p>\n

Great communication skills can set an employee apart. At the very least, they can mean the difference between the\u00a0potential for advancement and a stagnant career.<\/a><\/p>\n

Communication skills are also key to getting hired in the first place. After all, the way you\u00a0communicate your strengths<\/a>\u00a0and what you bring to the employer\u2019s table in your resume and during your interview plays a huge role in whether you get hired \u2014 or not.<\/p>\n

I have seen many well-qualified candidates get passed over due to communication skills. That\u2019s when they come to me for coaching and see the dramatic difference they can achieve with a little preparation.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re in the job, your ability to communicate reflects, for good or ill, upon the entire organization.<\/p>\n

Many times, poor performance can be traced back to poor communication skills.<\/p>\n

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Effective communication may be one of your strengths if you:<\/h4>\n