Employability skills descriptions
Think about your skills and their value to employers
Written communication
The ability to present arguments, produce reports, summarise in writing in a clear and focused manner, related to the purpose of the text and its intended readers.
Oral communication
Being able to discuss issues, talk about specific topics, listen to viewpoints and present information.
Team working
Participating in group work activities by providing a valuable contribution and valuing inputs made by others, in order to reach a common goal.
Leadership
The capacity to motivate and encourage others, in the achievement of specific objectives, and to carry ultimate responsibility.
Interpersonal skills
Having qualities that show an ability to relate well to others, to accept and value others - particularly colleagues and customers.
Computer literacy
Being proficient in word processing and software packages.
Numeracy
Having the ability to deal with numerical data, including statistics, graphs, figures and budgets.
Planning and organising
Being able to organise work and personal events to produce a plan of action and reach a target.
Initiative
The ability to act without constant direction, to assess situations and recognise what needs to be done.
Problem solving
Being able to assess situations, recognise difficulties and determine the action that might be needed to achieve a successful outcome.
Adaptability/flexibility
Recognising that alternative action may be needed and being able to adapt to change, without detracting from the overall aims of a project or situation.