Life skills are abilities and behaviors that help you effectively deal with the events and
challenges of everyday life. They are the skills that allow you to handle everything from
interactions with others to identifying and processing your emotions.
“Life skills” is a broad category, because any skill that is useful in your life can be considered a
life skill. Necessary life skills also vary by culture and by a person's age.
However, there are certain life skills that almost every employer looks for in his or her employees.
After all, employers want job candidates to be able to handle common challenges that might come up
at work, and life skills help employers do just that.
Read below for a list of life skills that employers seek in job candidates. Included is a detailed
list of the five most important life skills, as well as a longer list of even more life skills.
You can use skills lists throughout your job search process. Firstly, you can
use these skill words in your resume. In the description of your work history, you might want to use
some of these keywords.
Secondly, you can use these in your cover letter. In the body of your letter, you can mention one or
two of these skills, and give a specific example of a time when you demonstrated each of those
skills at work.
Finally, you can use these skill words in an interview.
Make sure you have at least one example for a time you demonstrated each of the top five skills
listed here.
Of course, each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read the job
description carefully, and focus on the skills listed by the employer.
Also review our other lists of skills listed by job and by type of skill.
Communication skills are critical for life and work. Communication refers to one’s ability to convey information to others, either verbally, in writing, and through body language. These are important abilities in the workplace, no matter what your job. You need to be able to communicate with your employer, your colleagues, and your customers and clients.
In life, you need to be able to get along with others. Cooperation is especially important at work. You need to be able to work well and get along with others in meetings, on team projects, and in other collaborative settings.
There are countless times in your life that you will have to make important decisions. This is true in the workplace as well. Employers want job candidates who can analyze situations, weigh options, and then make decisions on important matters. They do not want candidates who waffle and can’t make clear choices.
In work, you will have to receive lots of feedback from your employer. It is important that a job candidate thoughtfully and professionally receives feedback, and grows from it. Being able to handle criticism well takes a number of other life skills, including self awareness, thoughtfulness professionalism.
In this day and age, information technology (IT) is definitely an important life skill. People need to know how to use smart phones and the Internet in countless situations. IT skills are also critical for almost every job. You should be able to use common computer programs like Microsoft Word and Excel. Any additional IT experience typically makes you an even stronger candidate.
