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What skills do employers value most when hiring for jobs or internships?
I’m a student exploring different career options and want to be better prepared for future jobs or internships. I’d like to know which skills employers look for most so I can start developing them now through school, activities, or part-time work.
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4 answers
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Employers value a combination of hard and soft skills when hiring for jobs or internships. Foundational skills like strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, curiosity, adaptability, attention to detail, and time management are essential, while leadership, digital literacy, emotional intelligence, empathy, creativity, critical thinking, confidence, responsibility, and discipline help candidates stand out. Being a competitive candidate also involves developing relevant knowledge, experience, and expertise to contribute real value. Self-motivation, reliability, professionalism, and self-care further enhance your appeal. You can build these skills through classes, extracurricular activities, or volunteering, giving you a clear advantage in preparing for your future career.
Santiago Urra
Director of Communications, CSR and Strategic Projects
1
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Santiago’s Answer
Hello Karina,
Just to ask about this shows you are curious about labour world, with strategic view, very good skills to begin with, so good for you!
Each employer/recruter have their own requirements different according to the company culture, job, position, responsabilities, experience, and even how they feel/mood when looking for someone , etc.. so there are no tips we can give as to help you for these individual needs/mood or the specific technical skills needed for the concrete job which you should be very good at to comply 100% if possible. The key is to pass the first filter CV review so this is ver important, so this doc must be clearly autoexplicative of what you've done (experience, goals, studies and off studies), and specifically designed for the specific job you are applying to.
What employers (people or digital agents) usually look for, once you pass the filter, is people who are clever, curious, do-ers, moderately ambitious, commited to the objectives (not easyily giveup), good planners and accomplishing milestones, teamwork players, get the point across well and if with some leadership clues (not agressive), the better. If proactive and entrepeneur , much better! And for me, integrity is also critical and being positive as well (positiveness brings positiveness usually)
All theses skills can easily developped in many fields off (sports, games, volonteers, home, . Some are self character (curiosity, entrepeneurship, leadership, positivity...) but also workables... dont worry!
Lot of things to think about in our digital world (assume you are digital native so you are already working/living with digital tools AI, Prompts, Agents, etc...)
Anyway, working or paying attention a bit on some of these softskills on a daily basis and analysing results while enjoying life you will notice improvements ,... At the end, the key of learning is the process, not the final result.
Good Luck, Karina!
Just to ask about this shows you are curious about labour world, with strategic view, very good skills to begin with, so good for you!
Each employer/recruter have their own requirements different according to the company culture, job, position, responsabilities, experience, and even how they feel/mood when looking for someone , etc.. so there are no tips we can give as to help you for these individual needs/mood or the specific technical skills needed for the concrete job which you should be very good at to comply 100% if possible. The key is to pass the first filter CV review so this is ver important, so this doc must be clearly autoexplicative of what you've done (experience, goals, studies and off studies), and specifically designed for the specific job you are applying to.
What employers (people or digital agents) usually look for, once you pass the filter, is people who are clever, curious, do-ers, moderately ambitious, commited to the objectives (not easyily giveup), good planners and accomplishing milestones, teamwork players, get the point across well and if with some leadership clues (not agressive), the better. If proactive and entrepeneur , much better! And for me, integrity is also critical and being positive as well (positiveness brings positiveness usually)
All theses skills can easily developped in many fields off (sports, games, volonteers, home, . Some are self character (curiosity, entrepeneurship, leadership, positivity...) but also workables... dont worry!
Lot of things to think about in our digital world (assume you are digital native so you are already working/living with digital tools AI, Prompts, Agents, etc...)
Anyway, working or paying attention a bit on some of these softskills on a daily basis and analysing results while enjoying life you will notice improvements ,... At the end, the key of learning is the process, not the final result.
Good Luck, Karina!
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hello Karina,
Mr.Teklemuz's answer above does a great job listing many skills employers value. Rather than adding another long list, I want to give you a practical way to think and act on it.
The good news is: as a student today, you are already a digital native. That’s an advantage. The key is how you use it.
Here are three simple steps you can start now:
1. Build strong digital skills, no matter your career choice. Every job today has a digital component — communication tools, data, automation, AI, or platforms. Learn how to use technology not just to consume content, but to create, organize, and improve things. This applies whether you’re interested in business, healthcare, engineering, arts, or science.
2. Align your skill-building with what genuinely interests you. Pay attention to what excites you and what you are naturally curious about. Then look for opportunities like volunteering, part-time work, clubs, or personal projects, where you can grow those skills. Motivation follow where your learning align with your interest.
3. Add a digital element to real experiences. Whatever you do, be it organizing an event, helping a club, volunteering, or working a job. ask yourself: How can I use technology or digital tools to do this better, faster, or smarter? This mindset turns everyday experiences into career-building opportunities.
In my hiring process I don’t expect them to know everything. I look for curiosity, initiative, and the ability to learn by doing. I believe other employers do the same. So, start small, take action, and reflect often — that is how your perfect your skills.
Good luck!
– Siva
Mr.Teklemuz's answer above does a great job listing many skills employers value. Rather than adding another long list, I want to give you a practical way to think and act on it.
The good news is: as a student today, you are already a digital native. That’s an advantage. The key is how you use it.
Here are three simple steps you can start now:
1. Build strong digital skills, no matter your career choice. Every job today has a digital component — communication tools, data, automation, AI, or platforms. Learn how to use technology not just to consume content, but to create, organize, and improve things. This applies whether you’re interested in business, healthcare, engineering, arts, or science.
2. Align your skill-building with what genuinely interests you. Pay attention to what excites you and what you are naturally curious about. Then look for opportunities like volunteering, part-time work, clubs, or personal projects, where you can grow those skills. Motivation follow where your learning align with your interest.
3. Add a digital element to real experiences. Whatever you do, be it organizing an event, helping a club, volunteering, or working a job. ask yourself: How can I use technology or digital tools to do this better, faster, or smarter? This mindset turns everyday experiences into career-building opportunities.
In my hiring process I don’t expect them to know everything. I look for curiosity, initiative, and the ability to learn by doing. I believe other employers do the same. So, start small, take action, and reflect often — that is how your perfect your skills.
Good luck!
– Siva
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Karina,
The most important is mindset, always open mind to learn anything, what you learn during your education could help you to enhance your knowledge, but you will encounter much more that you never learn from your education.
If you already have a target job, you can refer to the JD and learn what the job required, if not yet decide the specific job you plan to apply, just keep learning and think about what is your strength can contribute to the company and team, embrace change because things always change and may be very fast, so the most important is to prepare your mindset.
Hope this is helpful
Mark
The most important is mindset, always open mind to learn anything, what you learn during your education could help you to enhance your knowledge, but you will encounter much more that you never learn from your education.
If you already have a target job, you can refer to the JD and learn what the job required, if not yet decide the specific job you plan to apply, just keep learning and think about what is your strength can contribute to the company and team, embrace change because things always change and may be very fast, so the most important is to prepare your mindset.
Hope this is helpful
Mark