Are you a new graduate and on the hunt for an entry-level job? Do you know that there are some sought-after attributes and skills that can take you far in the workplace? Read on to know if you already possess some of these skills and how to include them on a resume that recruiters want. According to the Job Outlook survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, new graduates must put the following in-demand skills front and center on their resumes. Moreover, virtually eighty-six percent of hiring managers responding to the survey say they will be seeking evidence of problem-solving skills on the resumes of the new graduates they are hiring.
1. Problem-Solving Skills
As a new graduate, you don’t need prior working experience to provide proof that you can avidly solve problems. Problem-solving skills entail identifying the source of a problem and effectively coming up with a solution. All you need to know is the basic steps involved in problem-solving, which include:
- Analyzing or defining the problem
- Finding alternative solutions
- Evaluating solutions
- Selecting a solution
- Implementing the selected solution
- Monitoring progress and making adjustments
Virtually all employers value problem-solving skills because companies rely heavily on employees with the ability to handle difficult situations and complex business problems, thus calmly identifying solutions. In order to put a job candidate’s problem-solving ability to the test, many interviewers, during interviews, often use behavioral questions—phrases such as “Give me an example of a time or tell me about a time you identified and fixed a problem before it became urgent.” To give a plausible answer to these types of questions as a new graduate, you need to prepare a short interesting story about times when you were proactive, innovative, or highly responsive to a challenge. For instance, you can tell a story about that time you helped solve a customer’s complaint while working at the campus coffee shop. Above all, do not forget to highlight what initiative you took to identify and solve the problem.
Examples of interview questions about problem-solving skills
- Have you ever identified and solved a problem without managerial input? Tell me how you did it and what the result was.
- Describe a time you predicted a problem and what you did to prevent it from escalating.
- Have you once faced serious challenges in doing your job efficiently? What were the challenges, and what did you do to overcome them?
- Tell me about a time you implement crisis-management skills successfully.
- You’re overseeing a new project that has great revenue potential. However, the project could put the organization in legal trouble. Describe how you would handle this potential problem.
- How do you know when to identify and solve a problem on your own or to seek help?
2. Analytical or Quantitative Skills
According to the Job Outlook’s 2022 report, a whopping 76 percent of employers expect new college graduates to possess excellent analytical/quantitative skills. In order words, hiring managers are looking for critical thinkers. When prospective employers are talking about analytical skills, they are typically trying to gauge your ability to gather and evaluate information and then make good decisions based on that intel.
The basic steps involved in the process of analytical thinking, include:
- The ability to identify a topic or issue
- Garnering statistics through testing and observation
- Coming up with solutions based on your deep understanding of the topic
- Analyzing solutions or new ideas based on what you’ve learned
- Reviewing solutions that were effective in order to assess and apply your new knowledge
One of the most important aspects of analytical thinking is the ability to swiftly identify cause and effect relationships. In other words, analytical thinking, for example, entails understanding what might occur during the problem-solving process. In addition, it also entails examining how new ideas relate to the original topic. Employers are looking for analytical or pragmatic thinkers because they are reliable and can help achieve company goals. As a new graduate, developing this ability can improve your chance of securing your dream job, and eventually support your personal career goals.
Examples of commonly-asked interview questions about Analytical Skills
- Describe a time you handle a situation wherein you were given a problem without much information.
- How do come up with informed decisions regarding problems?
- What does your problem-solving process entail?
- How do you prioritize your time in your decision-making?
- If you were given this role, which metrics would be of most use to you?
- Describe a time you analyzed a program’s performance.
- Tell me about your measure for testing new ideas.
3. Communication Skills (Written)
Excellent communication remains one of the top skills hiring managers are searching for in recent graduates. No wonder, 73 percent of employers mostly want to see good written communication skills among new grads. Consequently, these skills are crucial in crafting and submitting a perfect cover letter. In today’s job market, the most commonly requested skills in virtually all job postings are communication skills, especially written. Therefore, improving and showcasing your written communication skill will not only help you stay competitive in today’s job market but can also help you advance in your career.
On your resume, you’ll want to highlight experiences that showcase your writing skills. You can, for instance, include documents you’ve written when you volunteered to be the scribe for a group project in college. Moreover, depending on the nature of the organization, or outlet, to name a few, you might also be asked to attach a writing sample to your application.
Five qualities of an effective written communication
An effective written communication must:
- Include all the relevant details (Comprehensiveness)
- Include correct details (Accuracy)
- Have the right tone and level of formality (Appropriateness)
- Not contain spelling and grammar errors (Composition, Proofreading)
- Be understandable (Clarity)
The number one answer you will find on the internet about how to become a better writer is to write every day or frequently. Writing frequently will strengthen your written communication skills.
4. Team-building Skills
According to a report, 76.3% of employers are looking to hire people who can effectively collaborate with lots of different personalities. However, unlike your experience as a new grad, the workplace depends on effective teams to bring the best results. Virtually every organization, irrespective of the industry, is looking for a team builder. By understanding and developing team-building skills, you are on your way to becoming a better employee and increasing your chances of being recognized for a new role.
You’ll need to learn how to help your co-workers invest and work in a cohesive team that shares the same purpose and achievements. What makes team-building skill so important is that it sells regardless of industry, consequently making it a highly sought-after skill. According to a report from Indeed, employers mostly look for team-building skills in individuals applying for positions, such as consultant, supervisor and manager. You need to be reliable and trustworthy if you want to become a team player.
5. Work Ethic Skills
Employers in virtually every industry value strong work ethic skills. Proving that you have an excellent work ethic can increase your chance of getting your dream job quickly. According to Indeed, hiring managers typically assign employees who have work ethic skills to special projects because these people are deemed disciplined, dedicated and reliable. Having a work ethic entails being dedicated to and engaged with your work irrespective of the field you are in. 71% of employers who are considering you for a position at their organization want a strong work ethic attribute in you. Luckily for you as a fresh graduate, you don’t need any prior job experience to prove that you have a strong work ethic. All you need to do is show up on time, do your work well (have a strong determination and dedication toward your job), and look for room for improvement.
Employees with strong work ethic skills are usually defined by the following characteristics:
- Reliability
- Dedication
- Discipline
- Productivity
- Cooperation
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Professionalism
6. Technical Skills
According to the survey, 64.9% of employers are looking for candidates with the right technical skills to get the job done. In other words, recruiters are looking to hire people who can jump right in on the first day of work and start helping the company achieve its goals. Therefore, possessing some technical skills as a fresh grad can increase your chance of employability. Several technical skills, which are also a type of hard skills, require formal training and experience to master. Technical skills can be taught, defined, evaluated, and measured in classrooms, according to The Balance. Often related to IT, web programming, mechanical, mathematical, or scientific tasks, technical skills are practical. Possessing technical skills means having the abilities and needed knowledge to perform specific tasks.
Top Technical Skills Employers Value
- Coding skills. For example: C++, SQL, Python, Java, HTML, JavaScript.
- Big Data Analysis. For example Algorithms, data mining, and compiling statistics.
- Project Management. For example Benchmarking, Budget Planning, Engineering, Operations
- Social Media Management & Digital Marketing Skills. For examples content management systems (CMS), blogging, search engine optimization (SEO), and networking.
- Technical Writing. For example client relations, email, requirements gathering, research, subject matter experts (SMEs), and Technical Documentation.
So, in your resume, you can give a brief description of how you applied your technical skills in the past. For example, if you list Java developer in your resume as a technical skill you have, you should also describe how you utilized the program on a particular project in college.
7. Flexibility/adaptability
If you are not willing to change or learn new things, you’ll have a hard time convincing 63.4% of hiring managers that you’re worth the effort to train. If the coronavirus has thought employers anything, it is to get ready to face any situation, including suddenly shifting from working in an office to working from home. As a fresh grad, let the potential employer know that you’re not intimidated by a sudden change and can make adjustments accordingly.
8. Detail-oriented
If you are the one that meticulously pays attention to details, then 62.6% of employers say they are looking for you, according to the survey. Being detail-oriented entails paying close attention and noticing minor details. In addition to this character trait being critical for some jobs, it usually comes up in interviews and in the context of resumes. The first step to showing a potential employer how detail-oriented you are is to make sure your resume is well organized, free of typos and grammatical errors, and in compliance with the job description. During interviews, some employers might not ask directly if you are detail-oriented. As a result, you must expect questions such as “how would you describe yourself?” or “when under a tight deadline, how do you ensure high-quality work?” for example.
9. Leadership Skills
According to the survey, 60.3% of recruiters and hiring managers want potential candidates with great leadership skills. Fortunately, there are ways for fresh graduates to show potential employers that they possess leadership skills even before entering the workforce. For instance, on your resume, you can highlight the leadership role you played in your college’s sports club or group project. Moreover, a letter of recommendation from a former internship manager can also speak highly of your leadership skills. Most importantly, don’t hesitate to talk about your experience and demonstrate your leadership communication during the job interview.
10. Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills, in other words, mean relating well to others. These skills are required for effective communication, interaction, and working with a group of people. According to the Corporate Finance Institute, employees with strong interpersonal skills are typically deemed to be “good in relating with people”. As a result, 56.5% of employers are looking for new graduates with strong interpersonal skills. Examples of common characteristics of someone with great interpersonal skills include but are not limited to:
- Caring about team members
- Collaborating and working well together with team members
- Having empathy for others
- Inspiring team members to do their best
- Having humor and lightheartedness
- Being a good Listener
- Exercising patience when dealing with team members
- Having respect for team members
Showcase Your Skills
Now that you have an about the specific skills employers look for in new graduates in order to land your first job out of college, you’ll want to highlight them on your resume. In conclusion, a report shows that showcasing your particular skills on your resume can help you stand out from other applicants. Interestingly, you can acquire some of these skills for free through online resources.