In 2021, applying to jobs can be difficult for many reasons. From online applications to ATS compliant resumes, a digital job search provides many obstacles for job seekers to overcome.
One great way to stand out from others in a digital job search is with a robust and comprehensive professional skill set. As many employers have shifted to complete virtual working environments, they have also redefined what skills are sought after in the workplace.
Here are 5 top skills that employers want in 2021.
1. Communication
With the rise of digital work, communication is becoming the most sought after skill in many professional industries. When it comes down to basics, if someone is great at communicating, they will most likely be effective as an employee.
While communication may seem like a simple skill to define, it can get a bit tricky when trying to explain your strengths. There are two major types of communication that you can include on a resume: verbal and written. Here are a few examples to help you get started with your resume.
Types of Communication and Resume Examples
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Verbal Communication- This type focuses mainly on anything that is spoken word. Organizing meetings, public speaking, inbound/outbound calling, and team leadership all come down to verbal communication skills. Emphasize this type on your resume by showcasing how you can effectively organize meetings and teams.
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Written Communication- This type focuses on any written communication that may take place in a professional setting. Emails, blogs, press releases, and any correspondence falls under this category. Utilize these skills on your resume by talking about your skills as a writer in various circumstances at work.
Although communication skills may seem like something too obvious when considering space on your resume, these skills are still highly sought after by many employers right now. Make sure to also mention the volume of communication that you are used to dealing with. If you are calling and emailing hundreds of clients each day, be sure to include any data points on your resume.
2. Adaptability
If you were employed during 2020 and 2021, chances are that you have utilized professional adaptability in more ways than one. Adaptability at work is best defined as your ability to get things done with new and innovative methods.
Being an adaptable and open-minded employee is highly sought after right now, particularly after a period of such rapid change in many workplaces. Although adaptability may seem like a difficult skill to include on a resume, simply explaining your abilities to shift priorities is a great way to go about it.
Here are two examples utilizing adaptability, one great, and one bad:
“In my last job, I tried to adapt to our new sales system, but it was difficult. I ended up using the old system instead. It was better anyways.” – Poor Adaptability Example
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“In my last job, I helped our company bring all on-boarding processes online. This allowed us to bring on new team members completely virtually. We were able to grow the company in the middle of a global pandemic” – Great Adaptability Example
Just as you should be asking how companies have dealt with the ongoing pandemic, expect that some may ask how your experiences have been. Showing that you are capable of adapting to incredible change not only looks good on a resume, it can really impress hiring managers as well.
3. Management
Having the ability to lead and manage people has always been a highly sought after skill. Throughout the pandemic, many leaders have been tested by completely unparalleled circumstances. If you have lead a team over the past few years, or used managerial skills in the workplace, make sure to showcase these tasks on your resume.
One of the best ways to showcase leadership capabilities is to talk about the goals that you met as a team. Be as specific as you possibly can and make sure to talk about how you delegated tasks to accomplish company goals.
Here is a quick example of a great example of utilizing management skills during the pandemic:
“Throughout 2020, our company goal was to double overall revenue. When the pandemic hit, we were unsure if the goal would be met. I worked every day with the sales team and helped everyone work through the challenges of transitioning to remote work.
As a sales manager, I also had to learn how to adapt with our target audience as the pandemic shifted consumer priorities. At the end of 2020, we accomplished our goal and actually tripled total company revenue.
I could never have done it without my great team.”
This excerpt helps to show a few different effective strategies. First, be sure to use real data and show exactly how you impacted the business. Second, explain how you lead your team to success. Third, remember that it is a team effort, nothing can be accomplished alone.
4. Creativity
Creativity is another skill that may seem a bit difficult to showcase on a resume. Depending on your field, creativity can be defined in multiple ways.
If you are in an industry where creativity is a bit more obvious, it is a great idea to showcase this skill with an artistic or professional portfolio. If your industry is a bit more complicated, pitching ideas and projects that show your creative mindset may be a better option for you.
One key element when talking about creativity in the workplace is to tie it back to company impact. Here are two easy ways to talk about the importance of creativity when it comes to ROI (return on investment).
“My creative skills as an artist allow me to brand companies and make them more approachable. In my last company, our re-brand increased profits and allowed us to gain more investors.”- Creative Industry Example
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“I take a creative approach to problem solving in the computer science field. With the help of my team, I was able to create a script that greatly improved the entire productivity of my company. Although it was considered unorthodox, the creative solution helped us meet and exceed annual goals.”- Programming Industry Example
Regardless of your field of specialty, creativity impacts businesses in countless ways on a daily basis. Be sure to talk about the exact ways your creativity helped a company succeed.
5. Conflict Resolution
If you are including any leadership or management skills on your resume, conflict resolution is another great skill to mention. This skill is the act of managing and resolving conflicts and disagreements throughout a professional workplace.
When talking about this skill on your resume, it is important to not speak negatively about any conflicts that may have occurred during previous positions. Always speak positively and talk about how you were able to settle differences in opinions between teammates. Here are some examples.
Ways to List Conflict Resolution on a Resume
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Resolved disagreements quickly and effectively between team members.
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Worked with management to ensure any employee conflicts were resolved swiftly.
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Helped employees transition to a virtual setting by strategically managing inevitable conflicts.
Although it is a bit difficult to talk about in a strategic way, conflict management is so important across all industries. Conflicts will inevitably arise in any job, the key is learning how to react and better your team as a result.
What skills do you think employers are looking for in 2021? Let us know your top picks on Instagram!
