Without mincing words, the reason you’re not employed yet is that you’re not employable. I know fact sounds harsh, but it’s true. Employers today have a lot of vacancies but because you’re not fit for the job, you wouldn’t get the job. To that regard, we want to make you the perfect candidate for the job. Therefore, we have carefully put together 10 best ways and skills to increase your employability.
Also, you will discover how to write the CV, cover letter and résumé that will make you stand a chance to have an interview with your potential employer. This piece is out to help you increase your employability by 90%. Let’s start!!!
What are Employability Skills?
One way to increase your employability is to have the right skills. Employability skills are transferrable skills that are useful in nearly every job. Also, they are majorly soft skills, work-readiness skills or foundational skills. Interestingly, employability skills improve your work performance. Also, it helps you minimize errors and promote collaboration with your coworkers.
Here’s a tip, employability skills are not part of the job description, but they are important. The sole aim of employability skills is to help you stand out among other job candidates. Here’s how it works, if all candidates have the same qualifications and experience, the employers will employ the one who has employability skills.
Kindly note that certain employability skills are more sought after in specific industries. Therefore, stand a chance, prepare yourself for the particular position by researching which employment skills are essential in that industry.
What Are The Skills That Increase Your Employability?
What most job seekers don’t know is that your degree is just a part of the recruitment process. Obviously, employers would ensure you are qualified by having the degree. However, they need to know if you have the skill set for such jobs. Also, from our research, we have come up with the skills that increase your employability. What this means is that employers look out for them. They include;
- Initiative
- Reliability
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Learning and Technology
- Organization and planning
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Professionalism and strong work ethic
- Oral and written communications skills
Therefore, if you possess any of these skills, you have an advantage. We refer to the above as interpersonal skills.
What Are the Ways You Can Increase Your Employability?
As stated earlier, you have to take your job search up a notch by increasing your employability. Therefore, if you’re looking for ways to increase your employability chances, then this section is for you. Here, we’ve listed some strategies that are aids to increasing your employability. It will interest you to know that they have proven results. Many job seekers say that https://searchthatjob.com strategy for increasing employability are credible. Here’s what to do to develop your employability:
Sharpen or Gain Employability And Soft Skills
Soft skills and employability skills are a must-have for today’s students and graduates. Wondering what they are? Soft skills are a combination of people, social, communication skills, character or personality traits, attitudes, mindsets, career attributes, social intelligence and emotional intelligence. Therefore, to increase your employability, hone these skills. Also, know that developing your soft skills is just as critical as the technical knowledge and hard skills that you develop through education.
Craft the perfect CV
Talking about CVs, CV summarizes you. If your CV does not tally with the intention of the employer, chances are that it will end up in a trash can. Here’s what you don’t know, employers are looking for candidates who tick all the right boxes in their list. This causes the need to update and craft your CV under the job. To increase your employability, ensure your résumé is in sync with the job description.
Seek Trusted and Professional Employment Advice
It’s appalling how many job seekers seek job advice from people who have limited knowledge. In addition, career advisers help in increasing your employability, with services like writing your resume, updating your LinkedIn profile, or how to prepare for an interview. Also, searchthatjob.com offers such services.
Build your (professional) Social Media Profile
Here’s a shocker!!! Social media are platforms to increase your employability. Still assimilating that? Now, if a potential employer searched your name on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram to find out more about you, what would they find? Yeah, I know right?!!! To increase your employability, build a professional social media profile.
LinkedIn operates as your online résumé. Having an active and up-to-date LinkedIn profile is a way in which you can attract potential employers. Also, it affords you the chance to network with industry professionals and discover work opportunities to help you get ahead in your career.
Direct Your Own Learning
According to a study conducted by global staffing firm Robert Half. It says that 84% of HR managers say they are “open to hiring an employee whose skills they can develop through training”. Therefore, the ability to pick up new skills – and fast – is essential. They often hire employees who show a willingness to learn new things. To increase your employability, be open to learn and unlearn.
Engage Yourself in a Volunteering Service
No one wants to hire a one sided freak. Your employer wants to know what else you do aside work and office duties. Employees will gladly employ you if you’re qualified. However, another candidate who is open to volunteer will be a better option. And trust me, if he is on the list of employees, you will take the door.
Other Ways To Increase Your Employability Include;
- Learn a language or more
- Develop a personal website
- Take an online short course
- Improve your online presence
- Join a student consultancy forum
- Help to develop a community website
- Consider a fundraising event for your community
- Start your own social enterprise, society or small business
- Contribute reviews and articles to different student publications
Conclusion
You can’t control whether an employee chooses you from a pile of job applications. But you can do everything in your power to make yourself the most impressive candidate you can be. The strategies above will do the trick explicitly. Also, be rest assured that it will aid you in improving your work performance. Explore the site for other enlightening piece.
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