Working with others as a team: Because so many jobs involve working in one or more work-groups, you must have the ability to work with others as a team and in a professional manner while attempting to achieve a common goal.

Completing assigned work: Employers seek workers who love what they do and will keep at it until they solve the problem and get the job done. Positive work ethic is directly related to productivity!

Employers want employees who will have a strong devotion to the company -- even at times when the company is not necessarily loyal to its employees. Examples would be saying yes when called into work or always doing extras for the company.

Getting to work on time: There's no question that all employers desire employees who will arrive to work every day - on time - ready to work, and who will take responsibility for their actions. Getting to work on time is the same as getting to school on time. This is a learned behavior and is a skill that needs to be developed in Kindergarten.

Be honest and do what is the right thing to do: Employers probably respect personal integrity more than any other values, especially in light of the many recent corporate scandals.

Adaptability deals with openness to new ideas and concepts, to working independently or as part of a team, and to carrying out multiple tasks or projects. Flexibility is whether or not the employee is able to work at the desired time. Can he/she be flexible on the schedule and work when needed?

Taking the initiative and working independently means to go above and beyond what is expected in the workplace and to do so on your own with little or no supervision.

Conscientious go-getter who is highly organized, dedicated, and committed to doing the best job possible in a professional manner. Employers look for an upbeat, positive attitude. The job-seekers who get hired and the employees who get promoted are the ones with drive and passion -- and those who demonstrate this enthusiasm through their words and actions. Professionalism also includes self presentation skills such as grooming, hygiene, and the way a person dresses for work; and basic communication skills such as verbal skills, telepohone etiquette and email. Be aware that body Language reveals many things about a person.

Non-verbal communication through dress, grooming, and body language, including etiquette/manners - as a resource to aid in achieving your goals in the home, church, school, community, and the workplace.

Will you fit-in and get along with others at work? Tthe ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate, and mitigate conflict with co-workers is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day.

There is possibly no bigger issue in the workplace than diversity, and job-seekers must demonstrate a sensitivity and awareness to other people and cultures.

Look at it this way: if you don't believe in yourself, in your unique mix of skills, education, and abilities, why should a prospective employer? Be confident in yourself and what you can offer employers.

Common Sense can be defined as sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. The best way to understanding common sense is by example: There is a ceiling tile in your classroom that is sagging and dripping a little water. You suspect it is filled with water from a leaky roof. The person with common sense would go get a large mop bucket and put under the drip, then poke the sagging tile in hopes it will drain into the bucket. The person without common sense would poke the sagging tile first and then spend the next hour mopping up all the water on the floor.

Listening, Verbal, Written: By far, the one skills mentioned most often by employers is the ability to listen, write, and speak effectively. Successful communication is critical in business and business professionals look for the exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information both verbally and in writing.

Involves the ability to find solutions to problems using your creativity, reasoning, and past experiences along with the available information and resources. Ability to make decisions.

With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

While there is some debate about whether leadership is something people are born with, these skills deal with your ability to take charge and manage your co-workers.

Completing your work on time: deals with your ability to design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks and complete them by a due date. Also involves career exploration, life planning & goal-setting.

According to Karen Stephens, director of Illinois State University Child Care Center and instructor in child
development for the ISU Family and Consumer Sciences Department., resourcefulness, the ability to meet challenges in a variety of ways, is a by-product of creative intelligence. As children develop resourcefulness, they learn to trust their instincts and unique abilities. They acquire a positive attitude toward problem solving. Resourceful children mature into confident and industrious people. Just as important, they tap into the multitude of joys life has to offer.

Critical/analytical thinking is often associated with directed thinking, i.e. solving problems, seeking the truth and developing understanding, with the focus on a desired outcome. Fundamentally, to demonstrate the analytical/critical thinking expected at the higher levels, you need to ask lots of questions. Some questions are fairly superficial, helping to identify the component parts of the situation; others probe beneath the surface, looking for reasons, explanations, motives. The questions most often associated with Critical & Analytical Thinking are Who? What? When? Where? and Why?

No matter what your age, no matter how much experience you have, you should always be willing to learn a new skill or technique. Jobs are constantly changing and evolving, and you must show an openness to grow and learn with that change. Employers say they can teach those willing to learn.

Those who have never held a job, or feel they have been unsuccessful in getting the type of job they want, may need assistance with the specific skills necessary to obtain employment such as filling out applications, writing a resume, and interviewing. They may also need assistance in learning about types of jobs, finding available jobs in their community, and determining their own interests in choosing a job that is a good fit. Job Acquistion and Advancement is about learning how to market oneself and convince someone to hire them.

In many jobs it is important to be able to count change or handle money properly. For example, a job as a Cashier,
Bank Teller, or Store Manager.

Almost all jobs now require some basic understanding of computer hardware and software, especially word processing, spreadsheets, and email.

This skill deals with telephone etiquette, how to answer the phone in a place of business in a professional manner, taking notes concerning phone conversations, delivering messages, and dealing politely with customer complaints. Telecommunications can also involve texting messages or sending emails.

Ability to operate a computer and find information on the internet in a safe and secure way. May involve troubleshooting minor computer or printer issues.

A job specific skill is a skill required to work in a specific occupation. For example, if a person was applying for a job as a welder, the first question in the interview would be "Can you weld?". And if you can weld, "What methods of welding have you been trained in?" Job specific skills are the skills required to qualify the applicant for employment.