Employer’s Wish List of Job Skills for the Decade

Atlanta-based Crawford points to the recent Employment Dynamics and Growth Expectations (EDGE) Report which said that many hiring managers are increasing starting salaries in the next year to attract new talent.
A Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Hallie Crawford (http://www.createyourcareerpath.com) is an experienced coach and trainer who helps people change the way they feel about work – from just a paycheck to a fulfilling endeavor that is an extension of their purpose and passion. Based in Atlanta, she offers, career coaching, teleseminars, audio recordings and a free ezine to help people across the country find a career they love. Crawford has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communications from Vanderbilt University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“As everyone who has held a job eventually learns, your future career prospects depend on the skills you have to offer an employer. And those workers with in-demand skills on their resumes are the ones who get the job,” she says.

Although most employers won’t directly ask, Crawford shares the skills on their wish list for the upcoming decade:

1. Can you communicate? – “Employers are looking for evidence that a candidate has the skills, qualities, and abilities they believe are important to workplace success, and work experience – even if it’s not directly related to the job at hand – can provide that evidence,” says Crawford. “The ability to provide that evidence relates back to good communication skills. She explains that successful candidates know how to showcase their work experience on their resume and in the interview to demonstrate to employers that they have a strong work ethic, for example, or the necessary teamwork skills. It can set them apart from their competition.
2. Do you know technology? – ‘It’s not okay any more to not know your way around a computer,” says Crawford. She emphasizes understanding basic software programs, how to use them, email and attaching documents, and web searching are expected by employers.
3. Can you make good rational decisions, solve problems and overcome obstacles? – “Simply having the knowledge of and the ability to perform these skills, however, are often not enough,” she says. “The ability to think, reason, and make sound decisions is crucial for employees desiring to do well and advance. A person who can think critically, act logically, and evaluate situations to make decisions and solve problems, is a valuable asset.”
4. Are you a balanced person who can work well with others? – Having desirable personal qualities and emotional intelligence is equally, if not more, important than having a good basic foundation and critical thinking skills. Regardless of ability, it is difficult in most jobs to utilize workers effectively who lack personal skills. “Employers look for people who have the ability to set goals and priorities in their work and personal lives so that resources of time, money and other resources may be conserved and managed,” says Crawford.

For more information on finding an enjoyable career or for a free 30-minute phone consultation, contact Hallie Crawford at 404-228-6434 or email at hallie AT createyourcareerpath.com.