The first thing I tend to look at when I’m job searching is the requirements, to see if I measure up at the bare minimum. While I’m checking things off mentally with “got that” and “I can do that in my sleep”, there are other skills that present themselves once I’m actually working. Here are 7 skills you’ll need for any job, even if it’s not listed as a requirement.
Communication
As millennials, we already get the short end of the stick when it comes to starting a new job. Often times, we’re the youngest coming in, and our new coworkers assume we’re arrogant know-it-alls who don’t take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. We can, however, disarm them with the appropriate communication skills. Don’t simply rely on spell check to get you through those reply-all emails. Brush up on those commonly misspelled words for those situations, and always maintain eye contact when talking to someone at the job. Speak up when necessary, and voice your concerns before something blows up, not after.
Research
One of the biggest assets I believe I have as an employee at my job is my research skills. I am a master at looking for as much information as possible as far as why an account is not performing as it should, or what things a client can do better. While the media swears we rely on Google for everything, you also have to know how to use Google correctly. Sometimes it’s not what you ask but how you ask it.
Microsoft Excel
You probably have it on your resume, but if your boss asked you how to do a Pivot Table, would you smile and go for it, or would you freak out as soon as they left your cubicle? I was lucky enough to have an Excel Wiz as a team lead, but I also knew how to navigate around it before I got my job. The most basic things you should know is how to sort, filter, and graph, especially if you’re dealing with data. You can grab some courses online, and of course, YouTube is an excellent teacher for specific tasks.
Still looking for a job? This guide is for you.
Social Network-ing
I’m not talking about Facebook and Twitter, but truly being able to build your network in social settings. Do you know how to act accordingly for an after-work Happy Hour? You may not be on the clock, but you’re still representing who you are as an employee. Always carry business cards, even if you have to make your own, and maintain your professional demeanor when you’re around your coworkers off site.
Stress Management
Chances are, you’re going to have days where the pressure is on and your stress is through the roof. Maybe it’s an irate customer taking their frustration out on you, or everybody seems to be on vacation and you’re expected to pick up the slack. Know how to manage your stress, take a breather, and consider picking up meditation. Counting sounds lame, but it really comes in handy when you’re being chewed out just for breathing it seems like.
Problem Solving
You thought you got away from word problems when you left school, didn’t you? In a work environment, just about every conversation is a word problem. Now how do you solve it? Your research skills are going to come in big for this one, but also remember to think outside the box. The customer presents a scenario you’re not familiar with. Do you know where to direct them, or can you diffuse the situation yourself? A good problem solver is an asset to any company.
Typing
This seems very entry level, and I take it for granted because I type 95 WPM with 100% accuracy (you may proceed to be jealous). While not everybody has to type like me, my goodness, please be able to type! I guess our generation is used to using our thumbs on our phones, but use all your fingers. I see a lot of job requirements talking about you should be able to type 40 WPM. That’s less than 1 word per second! That’s just unacceptable. If you want to get things done at work, take a typing class and a typing test to judge your speed. 65, in my opinion, is a good goal to shoot for. But you’ll wow your coworkers and your boss when they think you’re just keyboard smashing, and come to find out, you’ve typed an entire memo in 5 minutes.
What are some other skills you can think of that everybody needs, no matter what the job?