Which employment skills do employers ask for?
Job ads rarely use the phrase employment skills. They ask for the skills one at a time, in their own shorthand. Here are eight that turn up, the wording to watch for and what counts as proof.
- Communication
- In a job ad: "clear written and verbal communication". Proof: a message that got the right reply first time or a handover nobody had to ask about.
- Teamwork
- In a job ad: "works well in a team". Proof: a shift you covered, a job you shared or a mix-up you sorted out between you.
- Problem solving
- In a job ad: "able to resolve issues as they arise". Proof: what went wrong, what you tried and how it ended.
- Reliability
- In a job ad: "punctual and dependable". Proof: a referee who will say you turn up, on time, every time.
- Time management
- In a job ad: "can prioritise in a busy environment". Proof: how you fitted work around study, family or a second job.
- Initiative
- In a job ad: "self-starter, keen to learn". Proof: something you taught yourself and then put to use.
- Digital basics
- In a job ad: "comfortable with email and common software". Proof: the programs and apps you already use, by name.
- Numbers and money
- In a job ad: "accurate cash handling" or "attention to detail". Proof: a till that balanced, stock counted right or a timesheet with no errors.
How are employment skills different from technical skills?
Technical skills belong to one job: driving a forklift, writing code, cutting hair. Employment skills belong to every job. A licence or a certificate usually proves a technical skill. Employment skills are proved by examples, which is why so many interview questions begin with "tell me about a time".
How do I show employment skills with little experience?
Use any setting where people relied on you: school, sport, volunteering, caring for family, casual shifts. Then give each example three parts.
- The situation, in one sentence.
- What you did, in plain verbs.
- What changed because of it.
Example Two people called in sick on a Saturday. I rang the casual list and reshuffled the breaks. We opened on time.
That is teamwork, problem solving and reliability in three short sentences. Keep a list of examples like it and add one whenever something goes well.
How do I build the ones I am missing?
Pick one skill, not eight. Find a place to use it this week, ask someone how it went and do it again. A course gives you the method and the words. Practice in real conversations, messages and shifts is what makes it stick.
Four small ways to practise this week:
- Communication: rewrite one message so it can be understood without a reply.
- Reliability: arrive ten minutes early to everything for seven days.
- Digital basics: learn one new feature of a program you already use.
- Numbers and money: check a payslip or a receipt line by line.
From the course: professional tone
Written communication is an employment skill you can start sharpening today. This extract is from Professional Tone and Email Structure, the demo lesson of the Communication course.
Writing at work is different from texting your mates. Every email, message or note you write creates an impression. A clear, polite message makes you look competent and trustworthy. A sloppy one can cost you credibility before you have even started.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia (2024), communication and interpersonal skills are among the top five qualities employers look for, both when they read applications and at interview. A big part of that is written communication. Even if your job is mostly hands-on, you will still need to write emails, fill in forms and send messages.
Professional tone means writing in a way that is respectful, clear and appropriate for the situation. It does not mean being stiff or overly formal. Think of it as talking to someone you respect but do not know well.
Open the Worthy Courses demo to read the remainder of this lesson, free.
Your options
The list was judged on plain language, fit with Australian workplaces and what you can show an employer afterwards.
Why Worthy Courses
We make practical training in employment skills, here in Australia. Worthy Courses runs online as 9 courses and 52 modules, from Getting a Job and Job Readiness to Communication, People Skills and Numbers & Money.
Lessons are written in plain English, at a Grade 6 to 9 reading level, so they make sense the first time. Learn at your own pace, on any device. Each module has a quiz, and the course ends with a scored final assessment. Pass it and you earn a verifiable certificate of completion you can show an employer.
You can buy one course for $299 and keep access until you finish it. The 3 course pack is $599 and the full set of 9 is $799, each with lifetime access. Every full-price purchase funds one free place, given through an eligible organisation. Try the free demo lessons: one real lesson from each course, no account needed.
Further questions
Is this course accredited or nationally recognised?
No. It is not a nationally recognised qualification and it is not accredited training. Worthy Courses is not a registered training organisation. Pass the final assessment and you earn a Worthy Courses certificate of completion.
Are employment skills the same as employability skills?
Yes, in everyday use. Both mean the general skills that carry across jobs, not the technical skills of one trade.
Will this course get me a job?
No course can promise that, and we do not. It teaches practical skills you can use in a job search and at work.
Are employment skills the same as soft skills?
Not quite. Soft skills usually means the people side, such as communication and teamwork, while employment skills also takes in practical basics like timekeeping, digital tools and numbers.
Can I learn employment skills online?
Yes, a course can teach the method and the words. You make it stick by using it in real messages, conversations and shifts.