List Of 6 Valuable Job Skills (And How To Improve Them)

Updated 30 September 2022

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Employers value candidates who possess certain job skills relevant to the role for which they are hiring. Cultivating these skills increases your chances of convincing potential employers and getting hired. It can also help you develop as a professional and advance in your career in your preferred field. In this article, we discuss what valuable job skills are, share some examples, discuss how to improve these skills, provide steps to use them in the workplace and show you ways to highlight them throughout the job application process successfully.

What Are Valuable Job Skills?

Valuable job skills are a combination of soft and hard skills that add value to your candidature, and subsequently, your job application in any profession. These skills are an asset regardless of the industry you belong to and make you a desirable candidate for potential employers. Though industry requirements may vary, some basic skills can be an essential requisite for several companies, regardless of their fields.

For example, interpersonal skills are important in almost all fields to communicate with clients and stakeholders. With the growing popularity of social media, most companies look for candidates with strong social media marketing skills.

6 Examples Of Valuable Skills For Any Job

Here are six examples of valuable skills that can increase your chances of success across occupations:

1. Management skills

Most organisations look for employees who can work independently and are good at managing their tasks. This indicates that having good organisational and management skills can help you impress potential employees and get hired. Mentioning this skill on your resume shows your ability to manage projects, set priorities, meet deadlines and adapt to changes effectively.

2. Problem-solving skills

There might be times at work when you may be required to come up with quick solutions to certain problems. Having problem-solving abilities can help you identify a feasible solution quickly. You may include these skills in your cover letter by discussing any instances in your prior jobs where you implemented this skill to solve a problem at work successfully.

3. Communication skills

Communication is a skill you may use every day in your workplace in several industries and positions. This includes both verbal and written communication. These skills are an important aspect of succeeding in your career and being productive in the workplace. Some communication skills to put on your resume include public speaking, creative writing and active listening.

4. Computer skills

Using a computer is an essential part of almost every profession today. Knowing how to use the computer and certain applications adds value to your application. Include any computer programs in which you are proficient to better highlight your suitability for the job, if applicable.

5. Interpersonal skills

Leadership, empathy and motivation are all a part of interpersonal skills. Employers look for these skills when hiring a candidate to make sure they can collaborate with their colleagues and lead teams in the workplace. They are usually a pre-requisite when applying for senior-level roles, such as a manager, as they are required to guide and mentor their juniors.

6. Digital-fluency

Most industries use the internet for daily tasks like record keeping, communication and marketing. Employers may look for candidates who are comfortable using the internet to perform these tasks. Social media is also a digital tool that has become an essential part of business development. Knowledge of different social media platforms is an added advantage when applying for jobs. You can add these skills to your resume by mentioning names of different social media platforms and online applications of which you are an expert.

Valuable Job Skills In The Workplace

Here are some effective ways to use your job skills in the workplace:

Be an active listener

Being an active listener shows that you are attentive and respect the other person. While talking to someone, make sure you pay attention to what they are saying and ask questions in case you have any doubts. This can make them value your presence and efforts in the workplace.

Focus on the positive

Challenges and adversities are a part of your learning process. It is important to take them positively and identify areas where you can improve. A positive and proactive approach to gaining knowledge and experience can help you advance in your career and be a successful professional.

Take initiative

Your supervisors may not always approach you to do certain tasks in the workplace. If you feel you can accomplish these tasks and add value to your learning process, make sure you approach them to involve you in these tasks. Taking initiative shows your willingness to learn, which can create a positive impression in the workplace.

How To Improve Your Job Skills

Continually improving your skill sets can assist you in achieving your professional goals. Here are some steps you can take to improve your job skills:

1. Set your career goals

The first step towards developing skills is to plan your career goals. Note down what industry and job role you want to work in the long term. Think about the skills that the role may require and work on developing those skills accordingly. Set long-term and short-term goals with end dates to motivate you and help you fulfil them successfully.

2. Allot time to work on each skill

When you are working on developing multiple skills, it is important to dedicate time each day to improve and practise these skills. Try to learn one skill at a time to ensure you can put your maximum effort into gaining that skill. For instance, if you are trying to develop your social media skills, schedule time every day to attend trainings or watch videos about social media techniques. Plan and schedule a systematic approach towards developing your skills to make it an effective process.

3. Read books

Reading books is a very effective way of learning from experts in your field. You may also read blogs or articles on the topic. If you are trying to develop your marketing skills, you can read books written by marketing experts on the topic. For more innovative ideas, you can research and read about successful real-life stories from startups.

4. Join short-term training courses

Attending training courses is an effective and interactive way to develop specific skills. As there are industry experts to teach you the skill, it becomes more convenient to solve your doubts and learn from peers attending the course with you. For instance, if you are trying to learn to code, you can sign up for a remote or offline course that teaches programming languages, per your suitability.

5. Get a mentor

A professional mentor can offer valuable advice on the areas you require improvement and ways to do it. This can be an industry expert or peer you value who has the skills you want to gain and request them to mentor you. Mentors also provide feedback and constructive criticism that is essential in advancing your career and growing as a professional.

6. Earn a professional degree

Attending a professional degree course is another way of learning or developing a skill. Consider attending a school or university for higher education that provides the course you are looking for. If you are a marketing professional, consider pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in marketing. Similarly, if you are a graphic designer, you can opt for a master's degree in animation and graphic design.

Ways To Highlight Your Essential Job Skills

Here are some ways to highlight your skills during your job application process:

On a resume

Highlighting your job skills on your resume can help the employer understand if you are the right fit for the job. You can mention your skills under the work experience section and also make a separate skills section. For instance, if you want to highlight your leadership skills, you can add lead my team for a business project in the job descriptions of the relevant job under the work experience section.

In a cover letter

Your cover letter is an opportunity to elaborate on the skills and experiences you have mentioned on your resume. This makes it an important aspect of your candidature to secure a job. Pick some keywords from the job description and other applicable skills to the cover letter that match the role for which you are applying.

During an interview

During an interview, you can explain the past work experiences that can help you prove your efficiency in implementing the skills. This can assist you in showing how you can contribute to the role and company after joining. It can also help the recruiting managers assess the benefits they may gain or your ability to enhance workflow and if that matches their hiring requirements.