When employers give their “wish-list” of skills for job and intern candidates, oral and written communication skills almost always top the list.
This is what is known as a soft or transferable skill. It is something that employers are interested in across the board, no matter the type of position, industry, or job title. And it is something that people most often develop outside of the classroom.
So how can you work on this, and other transferable skills desired by employers?
Get involved on campus or in your community! Join a club, volunteer for a cause, work on a group project, assist an instructor, take on a leadership position. These are just a few of many ways to meet new people and develop new skills. At the same time, you will reinforce your pre-existing strengths and perhaps become better known to your fellow students, faculty and staff (something that is important too, when you are looking for letters of recommendation for graduate school or people to serve as references for job applications).
By the way, the other top skills listed by employers are:
- Honesty and integrity
- Teamwork
- Interpersonal skills
- Motivation and initiative
- Strong work ethic
- Analytical skills
- Flexibility / adaptability
- Computer Skills
- Leadership / Self-confidence
- Organization /Detail oriented
So, how do you stack up against this list?