Employability skills

Skills to help you succeed in any workplace

Employability Skills are general skills that employers think makes a good employee. Having employability skills will help you get a job and succeed in your chosen occupation. Whether you are starting your first job or re-entering the workforce, having these basic skills will help you succeed in any workplace.

  • Title
    Communication

    Employment skills: Active listening, articulation (how you pronounce words), body language, empathy, writing to your audience, understanding

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Writing assignments and reports as part of your studies
    • Blogging or using social media
    • Making oral presentations as part of your class work
    • Working in customer service (face-to-face or on the phone)
    • Getting involved in activities like debating or being a sports umpire or referee
  • Title
    Learning

    Employment skills: Enthusiastic, questioning, self-assessment, setting goals, being open to ideas

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Contributing to training or helping others in the workplace
    • Using a range of learning methods – mentoring, peer support and networking, online courses, short courses
    • Try something new – take up a new sport or hobby
    • Research a new product or subject
  • Title
    Organisational

    Employment skills: Planning, scheduling, coordinating, meeting deadlines

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Developing a study timetable or a routine and sticking to it
    • Organising some independent travel
    • Managing your time around work, study and personal commitments
    • Helping to organise a community event
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    Initiative

    Employment skills: Innovative, creative, taking action, planning

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Approaching organisations and businesses about work placements or internships
    • Setting up your own community group
    • Making or proposing changes to the way a group you belong to does things
    • Organising a fundraising activity
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    Personal presentation

    Employment skills: Speech, body language, facial expressions, work appropriate dress, personal grooming

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Public speaking
    • Develop awareness of your body language
    • Be aware of how others dress in the workplace
    • Be aware of the workplace Dress Standards Policy
  • Title
    Problem-solving

    Employment skills: Solution-focused, questioning, answering, decision-making

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Doing research assignments as part of your studies
    • Dealing with complaints at your workplace
    • Doing a study skills course that looks at problem-solving
    • Talking to other people – e.g. peers or mentors – about how they solved the problems they faced
  • Title
    Time management

    Employment skills: Planning, scheduling, prioritising, organisation

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Doing a work experience placement or internship
    • Asking for new responsibilities at work
    • Developing a study schedule or a routine and sticking to it
    • Joining a volunteer organisation
  • Title
    Teamwork

    Employment skills: Communication, trust, support, knowing your role, respect

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Doing group assignments as part of your studies
    • Volunteering for a community organisation
    • Thinking about how you can work better with other people at your workplace
    • Joining a local sporting team
  • Title
    Reliability

    Employment skills: Punctual, responsible, regular attendance, consistency, fulfilling obligations

    Examples of ways you can develop your skills:

    • Developing a study timetable or a routine and sticking to it
    • Managing your time around work, study and personal commitments
    • Follow a training schedule