Top Skills Every Professional Needs to Have

Top Skills Every Professional Needs to HaveTop Skills Every Professional Needs to HaveWhat does it mean to be a professional? What skills do professionals need to have? A professional is someone who possesses specialized knowledge, often in plus-rechnen to having completed some focused academic preparation (such as high school or college or technical classes) for their career. Teachers, contractors, IT workers, andemployees from countless other industries are considered professionals. Beyond theabilities and knowledge needed for each specific profession, professionals in almost every discipline need a particular set of qualities, skills, and behaviors. These are primarilysoft skills- intangible skills that help you interact and get along well with others. In some cases, employers may seek applicants with hybrid skills, which are a combination of soft skills and the hard skills required to do the job. Because professional skills are required for nearly every job, they are rarely inclu ded in job listings. So, lets review the top skills that all employers expect job applicants and employees to have when they work in professional roles. Top 7 Professional Skills CommunicationCommunicationskills, in general, are important for any professional. It includeswritten,verbal, andnonverbalcommunication. However, one particularly important communication skill in todays world is email. Almost every profession requires some email correspondence. Professionals need to be able to craftclearly written, concise emails, using the appropriate format and tone for colleagues and employers alike. Other communication skills include Advocating for yourself and your causesAsking for help or adviceBrainstormingBuilding buy-in to an ideaBusiness writingDealing with difficult peopleFacilitatingHandling office politicsHandshakingInformation and Communications Technology (ICT)InterviewingManaging a positive relationship with an employerListeningNetworkingPersuasionResume writingSmall talk ?Public SpeakingAlmost every job requires some public speaking. While you might bedrngnis be giving longpresentationsregularly, you will likely need to speak up during meetings, provide information to your colleagues, and/or speak to a group in some small way. Professionals need to be capable of speaking to others clearly and presenting information effectively. The following skills are important for anyone who has to present in public ArticulationConfidenceCreating presentation slidesPoiseProjectionReceiving criticism and feedbackSocial skills TeamworkAll professionals have to work in some sort of a group, whether they are working onteamprojects or trying to help a company achieve its mission. As a professional, you must possess theinterpersonal skillsrequired to get along with others. You need to be able to share responsibility with others, communicate effectively, and achieve a common goal. There are other teamwork skills professionals need Conflict resolutionRelationship buildin gTeam buildingTeam management Time ManagementAs a professional, you will be tasked with completing a variety of tasks. Youll have to draw upon organizational skillsto budget your time so that you complete each task by a given deadline without feeling overwhelmed. Timeliness might seem simple, but it is one of the most important qualities in a professional. Employees who show up on time (or, better yet, early), are often perceived to be more hardworking by their employers (even if this is not the case). You can therefore boost your professional reputation by showing up to work and meetings a few minutes early. Attention to detailIntrinsic motivationMeeting deadlinesProject managementPunctualitySelf-starting LeadershipRegardless of the role you play at an organization, leadership skills are important. Whether youre working on a team or in a management position, being able to lead is an essential skill for a professional. Some of the skills that show your leadership abilities include A ccountabilityBudgetingCalm under pressureCoachingCoordinating resourcesDecision makingGoal settingGrowth mindsetInformation gatheringInfluenceManagementMentoringMeeting managementPlanningPolitenessPositivityPrioritization FlexibilityMost jobs require a degree of flexibility, and the ability to be willing to change. Its important to be able to understand different perspectives, and to adjust your workflow and contributions to the company as change arises.Here are some of the skills that will enable you to show employers that you have the flexibility required for success on the job Able to change your mindAnalysisAnger managementPatiencePerceptivenessProblem solving Personal SkillsInterpersonal skillsare thesoft skillsthat enable employees to work well with other workers, managers, clients, customers, vendors, and other people they interact within the workplace. Theseskills and professional attributes are also important for successful professional networking, and for managing your own career growth. Career managementCareer planningCompetencyCreative thinkingCritical thinkingDressing professionallyEmotional intelligenceEnforcing boundaries (personal, professional)EthicsHonestyHumilityIntegrityPatiencePerceptivenessPerseverancePersistencePracticalityResilienceRespectSelf-awarenessSelf-confidenceSelf-managementSelf-promotionSelf-regulationStress management How to Make Your Skills Stand Out You can use these skills lists throughout your job search process. The most important place to incorporate mention of these skill words is in yourresume. You should try to use some of these keywords both in the resumes qualifications summary and in your descriptions of your work history. Secondly, you can use these in yourcover letter. In the body of your letter, you can mention one or two of these skills, providing specific examples of times when you demonstrated them at work. Along with mentioning some of the professional skill words during yourinterview, you also want to d emonstrate your professionalism in the way you dress, speak, and act.For example, you should speak clearly and dress professionally for all your interviews, in addition to demonstrating an ability to get along withothers. The more you can show that you have these skills, the more effective you will be in your interview. Of course, each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read thejob listingcarefully, and focus on the skills listed by the employer. More Skills to Use When Youre Job Searching In addition to the professional skills that are needed in the workplace, there arejob-specific skillsand differenttypes of skillthat can help you get hired or promoted. Thesehard skillsinclude the knowledge and expertise required to do a job. Review some of the best skills to include on your resume, incorporate them into your job search materials, and mention them during job interviews.