Job Success Series: Top Non-Job-Specific Skills that Employers Want (Skill 2 of 5)
When things get busy and your to-do list is long, do you panic – or plan and manage your time effectively?
Obviously, employers want to hire people with strong time management skills. And if you want to land your dream job, you need to show them that you “have the right stuff.” Today, PrideStaff continues our series of posts for job seekers on the transferable job skills today’s employers want most.
If you missed the first installment in this series, read how to showcase your self-confidence and assertiveness here.
Skill 2: Time Management
Whether you’re a machinist, an administrative assistant, an accounts receivables specialist or a manager, you need to use your time effectively – getting your most important tasks done in the minimum amount of time. Today’s hiring managers are looking for candidates who:
- Establish goals. When things get busy, an employer wants to know that individuals can take stock of responsibilities, set clear goals for what must be accomplished, and then break big goals into smaller, discrete tasks. Once tasks are created, employees with strong time management skills are able to set and stick to the deadlines they establish for completing those tasks.
- Set priorities. High performers are able to identify which tasks are essential/urgent, which are important and which can wait. Then, they set larger chunks of time aside for accomplishing their highest priority tasks first.
- Don’t procrastinate. Exceptional candidates tackle the toughest, most important jobs first – even when those tasks are unpleasant.
- Block out distractions. Most jobs require some type of focus work. Effective time-managers know how to prevent technology, people and low-priority tasks from disrupting work which requires undivided attention.
- Resist the urge to multitask. Research has proven that multitasking actually undermines productivity. Employers want employees who take a focused approach to work, as opposed to “ping-ponging” from one task to another.
- Delegate tasks effectively, when it’s a required part of the job.
How can you highlight your time management skills during your next job interview?
- Arrive a bit early. Make a great first impression by showing up 10 minutes to your interview. To be on the safe side, arrive at least 15 minutes early and then time your entrance into the building.
- Be ready to answer common time management interview questions, especially those related to planning, prioritizing and organizing your work.
- Prepare and practice. Come to your interview armed with two or three clear examples of how you established goals, set priorities and stayed focused to complete a task effectively and on-time.
Shorten your search for work with PrideStaff.
Looking for a job? PrideStaff’s recruiting experts can make your search more productive and efficient. With offices from coast to coast, we offer temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire opportunities at all skill and experience levels. Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities.
