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What are employers looking for in a job applicant?

Last updated: February 2017

What are employers looking for?

With many people looking for jobs in competitive employment environments, it is very important to ponder over what employers are looking for in a prospective job applicant. Unfortunately, just a university degree is not sufficient any more. Consequently, an applicant must have a wide variety of skills, abilities and experience to meet the requirements of employers. This article highlights top 5 things that UK employers are looking for in a job candidate.

Top 5 things employers are looking for

Oral and written communication

Good communication skills are very important for any job. UK employers usually expect candidates to be able to read, write, and speak in English very clearly. Since communication is vital, applicants must ensure that they are able to communicate in different situations very comfortably. Otherwise, they may not succeed in their job search.

Teamwork

As most of the jobs are now-a-days done by teamwork, candidates must be able to work in teams. If some candidates fail to demonstrate that they are not capable to work in a team, employers are highly unlikely to hire them. Team-working skills can be improved by a lot of simulation practices and by attending relevant short courses. The article ‘How to be a good team player‘ provides  some useful tips.

Adaptability

Organisations have their distinctive ways of doing things. It is called culture by definition. Candidates must be able to adapt to new environments and work in line with the ways and code of conducts of the new employers. Sticking to the ways of the previous employers may not be helpful in a new employment. It is rather useful to be adaptable and flexible.

Time management and organisation

Time management is another important area of focus for any employers. As they need to get things done on time, they look for people who are very effective in time management.  Without effective time management, projects are unlikely to be delivered on time. Therefore, candidates must improve their time management skills. They also need to demonstrate that they are well-organised in everything they do. The article ‘How to manage our time effectively‘ provides some useful tips for effective time management.

IT Skills

Unsurprisingly, employers look for people who have good IT skills. Today’s business world is technologically oriented. As a result, success in job search often relies on the computing skills that candidates have. It is virtually true in almost all jobs, and not simply confined to technology-oriented positions. Basic IT skills that employers often look for are word-processing, the Internet & email, using spreadsheets, designing web pages etc.

Concluding statement

In conclusion, candidates need to have a wide variety of skills. The skills mentioned above are some of the most important ones that recruiters are interested in. If candidates have these skills and can combine them with their knowledge and experience, they should be able to put themselves in a very good position for any relevant jobs.

Author: Joe David

Joe David has years of teaching experience both in the UK and abroad. He writes regularly online on a variety of topics. He has a keen interest in business, hospitality, and tourism management. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management.

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