4 Qualities Employers Look For

17 Nov 2021

5 mins

As the global job market is expected to continue to evolve with growing competition and advancing technologies, another layer of complexity will be added, and firms are quickly switching hiring strategies to meet these challenges. In this time of business landscape disruptions, employers look for in candidates these four fundamental qualities:
 

Agile and nimble thinking:

• Ability to deal with complex and challenging issues.

• Innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

• An open-mind global thought process developed through experiences with different cultures, personalities and environments.

• Foresight and ability to prepare for different outcomes and scenarios.

• Flexibility in challenging current proposals and offering better solutions.

The first step to achieving this: Be a better listener. When you listen to people, market trends and challenges, you will be able to look at all the different perspectives, take in the industry knowledge and provide smart solutions.
 

Digital skills:

• Social media-savvy.

• Data analytics know-hows.

• Experience in industry software and systems.

• Knowledge of coding, programming and development.

• Capabilities in digital design, management and analysis.

The first step to achieving this: Adopt a lifelong learning attitude. Take up digital courses, attend talks and look for reading materials that are relevant to your industry and develop your skills in that area.
 

Interpersonal and communication skills:

• Develop relationship-building and teamwork skills.

• Brainstorming and co-creativity to lead to smart solutions.

• Ability to collaborate and work with others in executing projects and tasks.

• Having networking skills.

• Ability to communicate issues professionally.

The first step to achieving this: Brush up your people skills by attending courses, and make sure you can communicate across different platforms to practise getting your points across. Even though many business meetings are now on virtual platforms such as Zoom, make it a point to not completely ignore face-to-face interactions.
 

Global skills:

• Develop your level of cultural awareness.

• Understand international business.

• Having professional linguistic knowledge to express yourself and communicate with your colleagues and managers.

• Being adaptable and able to work overseas.

• Ability to connect with and manage work relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

The first step to achieving this: Travel overseas and communicate with people from different backgrounds. Chat with new people, attend networking sessions and make new friends!

Article first published on SIM Career Guide 2021, produced by GTI Media

Posted online, 17 November 2021