Staying up to date on what employers are looking for and industry trends is crucial for job seekers in 2023. By focusing on the following, jobseekers can gain a competitive advantage during the application process and proceed to be productive and attract opportunities of advancement at the workplace after securing new jobs.

Technical Expertise

A job seeker’s main selling point remains to be their technical prowess. Job seekers that have specialized knowledge, relevant experience and are able to use essential tools in their field: software, or equipment, are more likely to be shortlisted for interviews compared to their counterparts.  Candidates can show case their technical skills by sending detailed resumes, and giving comprehensive answers when assessed about their technical skills during interviews. Entry level job seekers should not shy away from including engagements that show their willingness and attempts to deep their toes into their industry of choice. These could be; internships, certificates of trainings, participation in volunteer programs and hobbies that would complement the job they are applying for.

Adaptability

It is said that change is the only constant in life. Organizations that want to: remain relevant, standout in their industries, reap the benefits of embracing new trends before their competitors, and remain ahead in ‘the game’, require a workforce that has as a sense of pliability. A workforce that is able to respond quickly to changing strategies, processes, ideas, technologies, responsibilities, expectations and trends. On an individual level, the employee is willing to take up a challenge when circumstances change, willing bend habits, pivot among distractions, think ahead and has a desire for improvement. Job seekers that are able to demonstrate that they possess these skills are able to capture recruiters’ attention faster than their counterparts. Applicants can demonstrate this by: providing certificates of short or long courses taken to improve their skills, by describing instances when they have had to work overtime, move to a different geographical location, or worked in a different department due to unforeseen circumstances.

Creativity and Problem solving skills

Candidates who can demonstrate their ability to think outside the box are very attractive to organizations that seek to challenge the status quo. They are valuable, for they are able to keep up with the rapidly evolving work environment. They question existing processes and come up with new ideas / solutions that help cut costs or generate new revenue. This helps the organization set itself apart from its competitors and gain an advantage. During interviews and in resumes, candidates should not shy away from giving examples of: their creative ideas, and the positive impact they have had on businesses and to their community.

Collaboration

Excellent execution of projects while at the work place calls for teamwork. It requires different talents and skills to come together and lead ides to success. Effective team work: encourages better problem solving, introduces broader perspectives, supports sharing of knowledge and improves employee’s engagement. Candidates who can demonstrate strong collaboration skills stand a higher chance of getting shortlisted for interviews and selected for jobs. One of the main indicators of a candidate with strong collaborative skills is their ability to communicate effectively. Are you able to introduce yourself in a confident manner, do you answer the questions asked (Listening skills) are you able to seek clarifications from the interviewer? How is your body language?

In the past, collaboration may have been relatively easier due to frequent face to face interactions. However, after COVID, most organizations have embraced the hybrid and remote working option. Collaborating virtually may be challenging, but this only makes the skill more valuable.

Self-motivation and Autonomy

As much as most organizations are embracing the option of hybrid and remote working, it is hard to monitor employees working virtually. In this case, self-motivation is a skill that is crucial for maintaining the productivity levels. A self-motivated employee is able to remain productive when operating independently from others and is able to get the work done. Additionally, even in the physical environment, these employees tend to take on new challenges, learn new skills, and put a lot of effort in to their career development. This level of engagement is what employers are seeking. A candidate can demonstrate that they are self-motivated by including in their CVs: projects/ tasks they have handled from end to end and completed within agreed timelines. At entry level, candidates could also include their extracurricular activities, volunteer work, relevant hobbies, books they have read or are currently reading, and achievements.

Communication 

Being able to communicate effectively has always been one of the most sought after skill. Being able to communicate verbally, and non-verbally is a very crucial skill. Now, not only do employees need to be able to communicate verbally or through email, they must also know how to do so through the new tools that have been introduced through the years, whether it is on a social media platform like LinkedIn, through a video conferencing tool, or even a productivity software like notion or asana. Learning how to effectively communicate through all these ways makes you very valuable to an employer.

Digital literacy

Digital literacy is a skill that is becoming more and more important for all job searchers as work grows more dependent on technology. Companies want to know that you have the skills to locate, evaluate, and transmit information in a variety of formats across a wide range of platforms.

Leadership

Leadership skills are also very important to own and that make applicants valuable to employers. Recruiters are looking for job seekers who can manage projects and teams effectively and efficiently. Even for entry-level jobs, an applicant with a proven capacity for leadership and the initiative to achieve results is what an employer would look for.

In conclusion, recruiters look for candidates who have a blend of the above skills. Having these skills and working at improving them day by day not only gets you through the door, but helps you maneuver through change at the workplace and prepare you for opportunities of advancement. As you continue hunting for a new job, recruiting new employees, and or continue working at your organization, keep in mind that these are the top sought after skills this year and ensure that you keep up with trends and changes in the work environment.