What is Employability: Why Are Employability Skills Important?

Do you want to stand out in a crowded job market? Are you aware of how you present yourself in job interviews? It’s time to learn about employability, and how you can elevate your employability skills to get your dream job!

Employability is not just about finding the right job for you; it involves a wide range of skills, attributes, and personal qualities that can aid your success in any career. In this article, we will explore what employability means in today’s competitive world, why it’s crucial for students and employers alike, and how you can cultivate these skills to not only land your dream job but excel in it in ways that you would not expect.

Key Points:

What Does Employability Mean? 

Employability involves possessing a range of skills, knowledge, and personal attributes that make you a desirable candidate in the workforce. These become especially evident during your job interview.

Employability also extends to the capacity to remain employed, as well as to move between roles, adapt to changes, and progress throughout one’s career. This comprehensive approach ensures that employees or those looking for a job are not only equipped to secure positions but also to perform and contribute meaningfully to their fields.

Why Are Employability Skills Important? 

The importance of employability skills cannot be overstated—after all, these are the tools and traits that help you navigate the professional world and the complexities of various industries. 

In recent years, employers have struggled to find the right candidates suitable for their workplace due to the COVID-19 pandemic alongside the cost of living crisis, and more people preferring to work from home. This has caused a tonal shift in employability, causing job hires to look towards new skills, or upskilling, individuals looking for work, keeping an eye out for skills including:

“1. The opportunity to shape young talent (55%) 

2. The ability to upskill existing staff members (52%) 

3. Opportunities to address skills gaps in  businesses (50%) 

4. Access to a new talent pool (49%) 

5. An economic way of upskilling and recruiting (48%)”

A lot can be learnt from this data, such as the fact that the employment sector is changing and evolving to cater for a new generation of employees, whereupon their skill sets will be different to those from the previous fifty years. This is not to say that age is also a troubling factor. In fact, the data below also suggests that different age groups each offer varied skill sets:

• “18–24-year-olds see the most value in them encouraging new ways of working (58%) 
• 25–34-year-olds believe they will improve wider staff productivity (52%) 
• 35–44-year-olds feel new staff will increase employee morale (51%) 
• 45–54-year-olds hope new staff will develop management skills for the existing workforce (53%) 
• 55–65-year-olds expect them to upskill the existing workforce via skills and knowledge sharing (53%)”

This is promising to see, as it proves that there is plenty of hope for employability across various age groups without the worry or concern of employers appearing prejudiced or misguided during interviews. However, this data also suggests that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to employability skills.

Integrating Employability into Your Career Development 

Improving your employability is not something that is just learnt overnight; it involves knowing how to correctly present these skills throughout your career journey. From crafting a compelling CV to acing job interviews and embracing continuous online learning courses, every step is an opportunity to showcase your employability. 

Here are some helpful articles available on our blog that can help you on your employability journey:

• CV writing tips
• How to write a personal development plan
• Ultimate job interview guide

Stage 1: Application and CV Preparation

Your journey to demonstrating employability starts with the application. What does employability mean in this context? It means presenting yourself as the ideal candidate through meticulously crafting your CV using the above tips.

Ensure your application is flawless, with no spelling errors, and adheres to the format preferred by the employer. 

Submitting your application before the deadline shows your time management skills and eagerness for the role.

If the job advert includes a contact name or number, take the initiative to learn more about the position and the organization. Inquire about aspects as specific as the interview panel or as general as company parking—this not only demonstrates your proactive nature but also your excellent communication skills over the phone.

Sometimes, you have the option to use a cover letter. A cover letter or email accompanying your application serves as a personal introduction and highlights your suitability for the position. This document should reflect your understanding of the role and align your skills with the job requirements. Use a clear and persuasive tone to encourage recruiters to delve deeper into your application.

Your CV’s personal statement should also echo the employability side of yourself: a mix of achievements, skills, and personal attributes tailored to the job you’re applying for. Highlight skills like strategic thinking, flexibility, and a willingness to learn.

Stage 2: The Interview

The interview is your opportunity to bring your employability skills to life. Beyond discussing job-specific knowledge, the way you present yourself speaks volumes. Punctuality and professional attire are non-negotiable, projecting a strong personal organization and presentation.

Be sure to show genuine interest in the organisation and ask insightful questions about its structure, decision-making processes, or current challenges like market conditions. 

Highlight your adaptability and eagerness to develop professionally by discussing potential areas for skill enhancement and training opportunities. 

Furthermore, discuss non-work-related achievements that can demonstrate your reliability, honesty, and teamwork skills. Whether it’s volunteering, participating in sports, or leading a project in a community group, these experiences reinforce your employability by showcasing a well-rounded character.

Top 7 Employability Skills for Career Success

Now that you are well aware of how employability works and why employability skills are important, here are the top number of skills that you need to improve now to ensure you can land your dream job: 

1. Communication: Effective communication is integral in any job market. It involves expressing ideas clearly and listening actively. Learn how to improve listening skills.
2. Personal Development: Continuously improving your skills and overcoming professional challenges can help your employability and prepares you for unforeseen career opportunities.
3. Problem Solving: This skill not only helps climb the career ladder but also contributes to the innovation and efficiency within your workplace by being able to identify problems, data analysis, and more.
4. Teamwork: Being able to work well in a team, understanding diverse working styles, and accommodating them are essential for completing projects efficiently and fostering a harmonious workplace.
5. Adaptability: In today’s fast-evolving work environment, adaptability is crucial. Your ability to respond to changes and pivot in your role keeps you relevant and in demand.
6. Commercial Awareness: Understanding the market and how your role and industry operate is vital. This awareness helps you make informed decisions that align with business goals and demonstrates your value to potential employers.
7. Technical Skills: Specific to your field, technical skills can include software expertise, data analysis capabilities, or language proficiency. These skills are often measurable and directly contribute to your effectiveness in technical roles.

Investing in Employability for Long-term Benefits 

Why are employability skills important? Investing time in developing these skills translates into numerous career benefits:

• Job Security: Being adaptable and skilled ensures you remain employable, regardless of market conditions.
• Competitive Edge: Continuous learning and adaptation help you stay ahead in your field.
• Self-Improvement: Developing a wide range of skills contributes to personal growth and job satisfaction.
• Career Development: Employability skills open doors to new opportunities and career paths, enabling you to navigate through various industries and roles.

Increase Your Employability Success Rate

In conclusion, understanding how employability works involves analysing yourself as a person and being able to adapt more in a competitive job market to ensure you stand out from the crowd. In today’s world, too many of us strive to be the same as everyone else, but when applying for a job, being your own unique individual self has never been more important. Remember, investing in your employability today is investing in your career future.

Have you recently been to a job interview and wondered why you weren’t offered the role? Discover these common job interview mistakes that you could be making…

FAQs

Sources

HM Government. (2024) SME Skills Horizon 2024. [online] Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65eed7215b6524100bf21a76/SME_skills_horizon_2024.pdf [accessed 06/02/2025]

McDermott, J., (2024) Failed Job Interview? Unveiling 8 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. Interview Gold. [online] Available at: https://www.interviewgold.com/advice/failed-job-interview/ [accessed 06/02/2025]