Graduates: Polish These Skills to Take Advantage of Job Vacancies

If you are like many recent college graduates, you might still be looking for a job. Once you do find job vacancies that interest you, how can you be sure you have the advantage on all the other recent graduates looking for entry-level opportunities? Below are skills you should have to be successful when trying to fill job vacancies.

Content (know your stuff)

It is important to know the jargon and big ideas of the field in which the vacancy is located. For example, if you want to work in retail, you might need to know terms such as "shrinkage." You might also need to specifics about the products you sell. As another example, vacancies that require a business degree will anticipate tat you understand basic business principles.

Technical skills

Regardless of the field you are in, you will need certain technical skills. For instance, understanding typical software packages, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, is usually a basic job requirement. Job candidates might also need to do basic research on the Internet. Beyond that, you might need to use software applications appropriate to your career field. Web designers, for instance, need to use graphic design and Web development tools. You might also be called on to troubleshoot if you or a coworker can't get something to work.

Problem solving/critical thinking

Speaking of troubleshooting, a very important skill is the ability to solve problems. It requires the ability to think logically and apply what you have learned to a real world situation. Critical thinking-the ability to think for yourself and "outside the box"-is also important. If you were good at story problems in mathematics, this is a skill you should be able to master.

Creativity

When it comes to thinking "outside the box," it is a good idea to also have the ability to be creative. This doesn't mean that you should disregard the accepted rules of your profession. Creativity is not desirable in all situations: accountants should avoid being too creative, for example! However, there are parts of just about every job that benefit from some creativity.

Plays well with others

One thing just about every job has in common is people. You have coworkers, supervisors, customers, clients, patients, students, or some combination of them. In jobs where you work predominantly with others (teachers, sales people, etc.), it is pretty obvious that you need to be able to work well with other people.

In other professions, it's not as obvious, but just as important. Think of a doctor without a good bedside manner and imagine how much more successful she might be with better people skills!