No, it’s not likely you’re advanced intelligence is actually a strike AGAINST you, But relying on that alone to get you the job isn’t going to cut it!
Decision-making, Multitasking, Creative problem-solving, Collaboration, Communication, Professionalism, Integrity, Management, Initiative, Empathy, Leadership, Teamwork
These are the top 12 most sought after transferable skills & qualities by employers amongst industries.
Sure, you can be the smartest person in the room, and still possess these skills! But simply having the highest IQ, or the most elite degree isn’t going to seal the deal for you. In fact, in a 2021 survey, employers were asked to select their top priority when hiring someone new. With ‘Grades’, ‘University’, and ‘Degree Level’ all on the list, ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Personality’ still took the top 2 spots!
So why the shift in focus to personalities?
The workplace is far more interactive than ever before. Collaboration and team-led management strategies have replaced cubicles and micromanaged employees. Workplaces are shifting to feel more like communities – where inclusion, cohesion, and respect from top to bottom are at the forefront of priorities.
Even with a major shift toward remote and hybrid work, these themes are still present. Some may argue that the ability to collaborate and communicate well is even more important in a remote environment. Connecting with your team through a screen poses a greater challenge, for obvious reasons, so employers with remote teams want to find engaging personalities that can hold a group together. From another perspective, with less eye on employees, employers want people on their team they deem loyal, trustworthy, and self-motivated.
You may be thinking – Great, but how do we represent these character traits on a resume?
That certainly is more of a challenge. However, using the right words when listing your tasks can make a difference. Instead of saying “Worked with the design team, try “Collaborated with the design team”, for example. There are a slew of great resources out there that can help you spruce up your resume.
When listing your skills, think outside the task-box, and include the traits that make you great to work with! Don’t skip out on the cover letter – let your personality shine! (Not to mention, over 65% of employers highly value writing skills.) Another great option is to include any blurbs from reference letters or LinkedIn Recommendations you’ve received.
One thing we encourage candidates to remember is this: This works both ways! You are more than an employee at a desk. If a company culture, or the personalities on a team do not align with you, that is enough of a reason to continue your search elsewhere. As the workplace priorities have shifted, so have the workers. Mental health and personal satisfaction are crucial to this generation in the workforce.
Cohesion is a must – and decision making on both ends is reflecting that.
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