Let’s be straight forward here, covid has shaken up the world and continues to do so. Whether you are currently unemployed, have been stood down and out of the workforce for a while, or are thinking about a change in careers, now might not seem to be the right time.

The good news is that it’s quite the opposite! Businesses are hiring and believe me when I say, now more than ever.
In fact, a recent survey shows that 44% of employers are lacking applicants as a result of recruitment difficulties. So if there was any time to put some fresh wind into your career, it is now.
But, covid hasn’t just changed the recruitment process. If you want to stand out from the crowd you need to rethink what you can bring to the table. And how can you set yourself apart from a growing competitive market?

The answer is ‘soft skills’ and . Yes, that’s right. Employers aren’t just looking for a candidate with the most experience or highest degree. With covid turning the world upside down, so have the requirements for employees.

The Difference Between ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft Skills’

Hard skills can be described as your experience and ability to perform specific tasks. Basically they are technical skills such as a degree or certificate, proficiency in a foreign language, typing speed or computer knowledge.
Soft skills on the other hand are your interpersonal skills, also known as ‘people skills’. They include skills like time management, flexibility, communication, leadership or teamwork. These abilities may come to you naturally or perhaps you have taken some classes to build on them.
While some might think that soft skills are basic, they are actually quite important to employers. Particularly post-covid employers are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a strong set of interpersonal skills.

What Do Employers Want?

The modern job market has not only changed the way in which employers are looking for candidates, but also what they are looking for. Yes you might have top technical skills and are more than capable of doing a job, but guess what; So do hundreds of other candidates.
Hiring managers see eye to eye on what can set you apart. Have you guessed it yet?
Ready yourself to brush up on these 8 skills that employers are looking for right now:

1. Flexibility

Constant change has become a major part of the modern workplace. Technology is evolving at a lightning-fast pace and as a result we constantly need to change the way we do things. The old “But I’ve always done it this way” just doesn’t bring it anymore.
You need to be able to adapt to change. Think about the new working-from-home environment or offices switching to video conferencing. Stay ahead of the game by showing flexibility and adapting to new technologies and ways of doing things.

Top Tip: Showcase your flexibility! Whether that is with your ability to keep up with evolving technology or the way you take in new information and ways of doing things, show your flow.

2. Willingness To Learn

Yes I know, you have probably heard this before. Or you might even have that written on your resume “I am willing to learn!”. That’s great, but employers want to see that you actually mean it.
So get out there and acquire some new skills! Whether they are hard or soft skills, you immediately boost your chances to get the job you’ve always wanted by improving your skill set.
Employers looove to hear that candidates relish learning. You know why? Because learning is an essential skill in today’s business world where change and development is happening at astounding speed.
Top Tip: Check out online platforms to see what amazing courses are available that you can undertake. Explore tutorials and workshops, and start widening your horizon.

3. Creative Problem Solving

Particularly in the past two years we have come across a lot of new challenges in the work world. Employees and employers have had no other choice but to adhere to new rules and constant changes.
What employers want to see from you in such challenging situations - or even when seeing a new task - is your willingness to tackle it. They don’t want to hear you say ‘Oh, not sure what to do here.’ Ideally, they are looking for someone who can think logically and use their creative mind to develop solutions.
Besides that, employers also wish for you to take initiative and come up with new ideas. Whether that’s finding a new way of making a process more efficient or establishing a strategy for creating better customer experiences.

The more creative flow the better! Your creative thinking not only helps you grow, but also leads to innovation and improvements within your organisation.
Top Tip: On your CV, ensure you’ve listed circumstances where you used your creative juice and came up with innovative ideas and solutions to problems. Express your eagerness for handling challenges - employers love that because every job will come with its hurdles and problems!
Now you can get ahead of the game with Bosware Recruit*! Showcase your enthusiasm and ability for creative problem solving in a quick video of yourself where you get the chance to pitch to your future employer.
More to that later in this article.bosware.com

4. Decision Making

Decision making… Feeling the chills when you hear the word? Some people would rather be swallowed by a sandhole than making a decision.
What if I make the wrong decision? Will my team agree? What’s going to come out of it?
Awesome news: It’s okay to be wrong! Life isn’t all about making the right decisions. Employers appreciate employees who have the ability to evaluate criteria in front of them and make a conclusive decision from it. Even if sometimes it turns out that you were wrong.
It shows that you are willing to take on risks and that’s the main thing.
Top Tip: Decision making happens in your everyday life. Try and take on a positive attitude toward assessing information and making clear decisions from it and turn your attitude into a skill.

5. Time Management

Being able to effectively manage your time has always been an important asset in the eye of an employer. However, with the increase of remote work, it has become a must. And this includes everyone - whether you’re working from home or at your workplace.
Strong time management skills means that your employer can count on you to get things done. It also means that you get the possibility to be more free and work the way you prefer.
Awesome news: It’s okay to be wrong! Life isn’t all about making the right decisions. Employers appreciate employees who have the ability to evaluate criteria in front of them and make a conclusive decision from it. Even if sometimes it turns out that you were wrong.
Top Tip: Make sure you keep track of your time and what tasks or projects you spend it on. Create to-do’s for the next day before you clock off with giving each to-do a priority level. Once you get a good system going you’re not only making life easier for yourself, but also show your employer that you can kick goals.

There are a few more valuable skills such as knowledge in social and digital media, cloud computing, and leadership qualities. Remember to keep up with what’s going on in the work world and brush up on your ‘soft skills’. Now, here’s how you can flourish quicker…

Strong time management skills means that your employer can count on you to get things done. It also means that you get the possibility to be more free and work the way you prefer.
Awesome news: It’s okay to be wrong! Life isn’t all about making the right decisions. Employers appreciate employees who have the ability to evaluate criteria in front of them and make a conclusive decision from it. Even if sometimes it turns out that you were wrong.
Top Tip: Make sure you keep track of your time and what tasks or projects you spend it on. Create to-do’s for the next day before you clock off with giving each to-do a priority level. Once you get a good system going you’re not only making life easier for yourself, but also show your employer that you can kick goals.

Head to our www.bosware.com to find out more!