For new graduates looking to land fulfilling jobs, it is a jungle out there. And, your success (or failure) lies in the skills and knowledge you acquire and how you use them.
In an increasingly digital economy, employers are hiring talents with multiple educational (or cultural) backgrounds, two or more educational accomplishments, technical skills such as programming, or multi-faceted job positions in previous employments.
Research shows that graduates of STEM-related courses are expected to land lucrative roles as anesthesiologists, surgeons, physicians, or pediatricians. The same opportunities aren’t available to non-STEM students who risk being underemployed on their first try.
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Enriching your career means pursuing other interests that compliment your current competencies. Pursuing certain master’s degree programs between jobs is not uncommon either because generally, advanced knowledge promises better job options.
Still, job candidates worry about uncertainties in the current economy. High competition keeps them on their toes because acquired skills are not enough. On top of your expertise, soft skills are also factored in during the hiring process. Recruiters also consider candidates with volunteer work, internships or prior job experience.
So, what do employers care about? Beyond the norm, here are key factors that make you stand out. Use these jump pages to explore the sections easily!
♠ Competence
♠ Integrity
♠ Grit
♠ Self-starter
♠ Sensitivity to Diversity
♠ Confidence
♠ Creativity
♠ Relationship Building
♠ Flexibility
♠ Computer Skills
♠ Persuasion
♠ Analytics or Data Science
♠ Team Player
♠ Positive Attitude
♠ Social Media Literacy
♠ Learning Agility
♠ Authenticity
♠ Ambition
♠ Long-term potential
♠ Self-Awareness
Competence
Competence covers a variety of skills and abilities essential in the hiring process. Your previous jobs could be the basis for recruiters to assess your critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills, to name a few. If you’re an individual who knows your industry and gives excellent outputs, you’ll be highly favored by recruiters.
Integrity
Integrity in the workplace is vital to keep the trust within the workplace. Employers seek longevity in candidates with the possibility of handling positions requiring confidentiality in the company. It is doing what is right and not what’s easy. People of integrity are more friendly, approachable, and likely to listen during team collaborations.
Grit
Grit is your ability to withstand stress and complexities in the workplace. When you can work under pressure and deliver exceptional results, chances are recruiters will place you in job positions of leadership. While frustrations may come along the way, it doesn’t deter you from pressing on to the prize.
Self-starter
Self-starters require little to no supervision in handling projects or tasks. Individuals with this trait are not afraid to take on projects with little knowledge given they can learn it along the way. In teams, they are likely the ones to help other team members in need once they are finished with their tasks. An independent but mindful attitude at work brings harmony and workflow continuity.
Sensitivity to Diversity
The year 2000 highlighted LGBTQ rights and gender pay gaps as covered by various news outlets in the light of cultural and gender sensitivity. More companies are embracing this as part of their culture; hence employees who value other people’s personal preferences may work better in teams regardless of their background.
From businesses to tech industries, anti-discriminatory attitudes give equal rights and value to others of varying backgrounds in the workplace.
Confidence
Employees who are confident in what they bring to the table remain as a top “human capital” for most companies. It’s a winning attitude that lets you win a negotiation, participate, and brainstorm with your co-team members, lead projects, and get results. Confident employees dare to do their jobs even if faced with some uncertainties and risks.
Creativity
Technology is likely to benefit from employing individuals with an arts degree. Highly creative people are generally problem-solvers but do it in a different manner, not restricted by specific rules.
Employers, particularly in Silicon Valley, hire those with interdisciplinary knowledge and individuals abroad to enhance the standard of life through technology. Engineers and liberal arts graduates are often a plus for employees who plan to get into the tech sector.
Relationship Building
People skills are “soft skills” that help you land leadership positions. According to NACE’s Job Outlook, the ability to work in a team and verbal communication skills are essential traits employers seek. Communicating the goals and projects to your team and superiors builds trust and credibility in the work that you do.
Flexibility
Employers value flexibility among employees. In these fast-changing times, employers are looking for individuals who can adapt, respond, and deliver results even if it’s not within their field of expertise. Flexible people are not bound by their job descriptions and can often accomplish more things relevant to a company’s growth and direction.
Computer Skills
Understands basic programming jargons and collaborates for projects with other team members.
Aside from the typical technical tasks such as writing emails and documents, learning basic computer tasks such as creating documents using Excel and PowerPoint are a definite plus. In creating balance sheets or presentations, these are some of the software you need to arm yourself in landing good-paying jobs.
If you’re unfamiliar with these types of software, taking short courses in these will help boost your skills portfolio.
Persuasion
Businesses love winners. In this case, learning the skill of persuading others to join in your cause will make you an asset in any company. Persuasive people go after what they want without being too pushy or hard-selling.
Warm and easy-going personalities can easily blend in with the team, yet do well in leadership positions motivating the team to bring results.
Analytics or Data Science
As of January 2019, the unemployment rate is 3.5% offering 145,000 jobs, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. But some companies are still on the lookout for talents to fill in overdue positions with STEM degree holders. Candidates with knowledge of algorithms, scientific methods, and technology in Data Science help fill in these widening skills gap in the workplace.
Team Player
Being a team player is part of a collaborative trait for employees to achieve their goals as a team. In most cases, businesses do various projects to meet sales projections and business proposals.
Quality results often come from working with a group, particularly in tech industries, using Agile. Managers would often prefer working with individuals who are genuinely committed to achieving goals ready to help others as necessary.
Positive Attitude
Positive people are easy to work with. Studies have also shown that a positive atmosphere brings better productivity and results. Individuals who take on challenges and exhibit positive attitudes are likable, social, and can influence others to work more effectively, even in the most challenging settings. ‘Can do’ people get the job done faster, more so than those armed with knowledge alone.
Social Media Literacy
Globalization meant digital mobilization. Small businesses have expanded nationally and globally because of digital marketing using social media. To boost profits, hiring social media specialists have become a staple in most businesses by opening opportunities abroad. Taking the time to sharpen your social media skills will get you in most companies with its high demand.
Learning Agility
This is an exceptional skill to have, especially with our changing technologies and shifting business models. More businesses are slowly doing automation to cut down overhead costs hence the necessity to learn the latest software, especially AI technology. Individuals with high learning capacities are preferably hired for positions in writing, stock trading, and consultant roles.
Authenticity
Authenticity in the workplace has shown higher job satisfaction among individuals than those who are inauthentic. Authentic people are likely to develop credible results, without a doubt, often avoiding mishaps. If you are trustworthy, you are likely to create better relationships and trust in the workplace.
Ambition
Ambitious people have the drive to get things done. When working with a team, they give credit to whom credit is due. It’s these people that keep the business moving forward with their keen sense of direction and commitment.
Long-term Potential
Employee turnover rates are costly, especially where training is involved. Individuals with minimum skills set may also be susceptible to employee layovers if a crisis hits. Recruiters are keen to hire individuals who are motivated and consider them for keeps.
Individuals with graduate degrees or have taken multiple certifications may speak about their dedication to their craft or pursuit of better education independently.
Self-Awareness
Cultivating self-awareness can improve productivity, workplace relationships, improve decision making, and get better job positions. It’s an attitude where you know the value you bring to the table and know when to collaborate with other people to reach a common goal. Building your communication skills will also work best with a good attitude in modern workplaces.