The universal labour market skills you need

When applying for jobs, the skills that you need typically depend on the industry and the role you are applying for. However, there are certain skills that cut across all professions. We call these the universal labour market skills. They are considered key employability skills and are essential to being an effective employee.

Below we list 5 of these universal or employability skills that hiring managers look for in candidates, with brief explanations of what they mean:

1. Communication

Communication, at its simplest, is the act of transferring information from one place to another. It may be vocally (using voice), written (using printed or digital media such as books, magazines, websites or emails), visually (using logos, maps, charts or graphs) or non-verbally (using body language, gestures and the tone and pitch of voice). In practice, it is often a combination of several of these.

Being able to communicate effectively is perhaps the most important of all life skills. In the context of work, employers desire employees who can successfully interpret what is being asked of them as well as effectively communicate with others.

2. Teamwork

In its simplest form, teamwork is an activity in which members of an organization come together to work toward a common goal or set of goals. In today's work environment, teamwork can happen in-person or virtually. Successful teamwork hinges on great communication as well as mutual trust and accountability.

3. Organization

Being organized means that you are able to prioritize tasks, maximize efficiency, and maintain structure throughout a workday or a project’s lifespan. At the heart of it, this skill is a combination of time management and self-motivation. This means that you are able to determine which tasks need to get done and in what order, and then systematically towards completing them without needing to be constantly prompted or micro-managed.

4. Problem Solving

Problem-solving is the ability to identify an issue, analyze possible solutions, and decide on the best course of action based on information you have available. Being able to problem solve requires going through a series of steps. So if you find yourself answering a question in a job interview about your problem-solving skills and you aren’t detailing the steps you followed, chances are you are not going to impress the Hiring Manager. Potential employers are eager to hear a coherent narrative of the ways you've used problem-solving skills.

5. Learning/Adaptability

Learning skill refers to your ability to acquire new knowledge and adaptability to your ability to adjust to new situations. In the context of the ever-evolving workplace, these interrelated skills are important to have, allowing you to stay competitive in the job market. Employers want employees who are keen to stay on top of industry and job trends, who can learn fast, and who are intellectually nimble. Even specialists are increasingly required to adopt these skills given the fast-changing nature of many industries and fields.

You can assess your competency in these skills by clicking on the link below to take our assessment.

Are there other skills that you consider universal labour market or employability skills? Head over to our social media pages (@upskhill on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter) to let us know. 

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