What Employers Are Looking For

One of the key strengths of a Bachelor's Degree is the breadth of your skills and experience.

Your degree is designed, in part, to prepare you for jobs that don't yet exist and so that you can be adaptable as the job market shifts with new technologies and changes. Some of the top skills you're developing and that translate directly to employable traits are included below:

Highlighted Skills Canadian Employers Look For	Ways to Improve or Gain Experience
Communication Skills Ability to write, speak, and listen effectively	Practice giving presentations Get support and feedback on your writing Develop good email etiquette Practice your active listening Find more tips
Adaptability Ability to adjust and react well to unexpected changes or conditions, including transitioning to a new workplace or managing a variety of projects	Get experience through volunteer or exchange Respond to unexpected challenges Try out and accept different roles or strategies Brainstorm different methods of solving a problem Navigate group projects in class
Motivation Willingness to work hard and push boundaries through initiative	Set and accomplish SMART goals Get experience through volunteer or exchange Learn how to beat procrastination Demonstrate tenacity and follow through (e.g., complete a certificate program)
Organization Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize work to achieve goals; demonstrates reliability and ability to work in a timely manner	Write down goals and how to manage work Create to-do lists and schedules Keep your workspace tidy Learn how to manage time better Manage your emails effectively Meet coursework deadlines
Teamwork Ability to collaborate successfully, including with people of varied ages and personal/professional backgrounds	Participate in group projects Delegate and do tasks in the group Outline clear roles in the group Attend career education/networking events Form a study group Develop a LinkedIn profile and actively engage with others Contribute to shared outcomes
Willingness to Learn Readiness and enthusiasm to gain new knowledge and adjust to change or a new work environment	Be open to advice and feedback, even negative ones Step out of your comfort zone Go on exchange/study abroad Join a new club Try a new intramural sport Explore and try new things or ways of doing things
Analysis and Problem Solving Ability to work through a problem to find a solution, including synthesizing information, critical-thinking, and troubleshooting	Break down the problem into key components Explore alternative methods of solving the problem Create mind maps to visualize the problem Practice this in class or by participating in a case competition

*The skills above are presented in random order and do not indicate rank of importance.

Adapted from National Association of Colleges and Universities (2013), University of Toronto Career Centre (2011), Millennial Branding and Experience Inc. (2012), Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (2012), University of Victoria (2012), Association of Graduate Recruiters (2006), Council for Industry and Higher Education (2008) and University of Alberta Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (2011).

Tagged Under Gain career experience

What Employers Are Looking For

Highlighted Skills Canadian Employers Look For

Ways to Improve or Gain Experience