Australia is a land of opportunity. Potential and progress are being made in every field, no matter where you look.
This is reflected in the number of Indian students and immigrants who either choose to study or move to Australia seeking a better life. The landscape has never been more conducive.
Australia is one of the most lively and culturally diverse lands, boasting of a high standard of living, stunning natural beauty and some of the most liveable cities in the world.
All this and more make Australia a very desirable destination to live and work in.
That being said, there are a few specific skills that employers in Australia look for in job candidates no matter what the open position is, and having these skills can make you more marketable to recruiters. These skills include soft skills like communication, problem solving and teamwork as well as hard skills.
Having these skills in your locker could set you apart from the competition and fast-track your progress, helping you land your dream job sooner rather than later.
Isn’t that what we all want?
So let’s dive into the top 5 skills that Indians should possess while seeking a job in Australia.
- Communication
Communication skills are essential in virtually every job. Employers desire team members who can successfully interpret what is being asked of them as well as effectively communicate with others.
Being able to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills to possess while seeking a job. Communication itself is defined as transferring information to produce greater understanding.
From a business standpoint, all transactions result from communication. Common communication skills that employers seek include writing, speaking, listening and negotiating.
In contrast, poor communication skills lead to frequent misunderstandings and frustration. In a 2020 survey conducted in Australia, communication topped the list of the most sought-after soft skills among employers.
2. Leadership
Leadership skills are one of the soft skills that many employers look for in candidates and that can be helpful at all levels of your career. From managing a team to contributing to a project in a leadership role, leadership skills help you motivate others and ensure tasks are completed promptly and to the best of one’s ability.
An effective leader of a team has a variety of traits and characteristics that encourage team members to follow him or her. Team leaders naturally possess certain qualities, such as compassion and integrity.
Being an effective leader can instil confidence in the team as well as contribute to the growth of the department through improved team productivity.
Good leaders are often known to lead not just by words, but by action. This tends to have a domino effect on the rest of the team, thus spurring everyone to deliver their best.
Common leadership skills include active listening, dependability, the ability to give and receive feedback and patience.
3. Open Mindedness
Open-mindedness is an important skill for anyone who is entering a new position. Even if you have held the same position at a previous company, the new company you work for may do things differently.
Being open-minded to learning a new way of performing your duties and being willing to learn and try new things is essential for job candidates.
Business can be unpredictable. There’s no telling what’s around the corner.
Being receptive to the views, ideas and knowledge of others is key to a positive and healthy environment. An open mind can be an unstoppable force in driving business strategy, building effective company culture and enhancing the financial performance of the firm.
Leaders are responsible not only for being the best they can be but for bringing the best out of those around them. A leader who listens and empowers employees to bring new ideas to the table is an invaluable asset.
It helps team members build confidence that their voices will be heard, and fosters a sense of loyalty to the business, which is key to long-term growth.
Being open-minded also helps in making one more tolerant, by understanding and appreciating different backgrounds and schools of thought.
4. Problem Solving Ability
Problem-solving skills refer to the ability to manage challenging situations productively and positively.
This is especially important for employees in large organisations or being part of a team, but they are often considered essential skills for all occupations.
It is especially considered a must-have for all senior-level roles in organisations. The best can leverage the limited resources available at the given time and uncover a solution at the earliest, all while remaining composed.
The way you handle even the smallest of problems will demonstrate to an employer how well you can deal with larger ones. If your boss doubts your ability to overcome minor difficulties that come your way, they may not trust you with more responsibility or consider you for a managerial role later on.
Demonstrate your ability to think on your feet, remain calm in stressful situations and contribute to finding a solution effectively. This will help you stand out to employers and make you a real asset to any organisation or firm.
Common problem-solving skills to include on your resume are communication, decision making and research skills.
5. Digital Literacy
We live in a technology-driven age that demands digital literacy in nearly every profession. Demand for digital literacy goes far beyond just a technology-centric career.
In today’s day and age, digital literacy is so important in the workplace, for everyone from the bottom to the top of the ladder.
Being comfortable with computers, online research and apps, not to mention industry-specific software is the norm and is expected in the workplace today.
Nearly every occupation requires the use of a computer in some capacity. Some jobs require more in-depth knowledge of computers than others.
If the job you are applying for requires more advanced computer skills, be sure to highlight these on your resume as well if you possess them.
Knowledge of correct email etiquette and when it is appropriate to communicate via social media are invaluable soft skills that employers look for.
Computer-based communication can even be in the form of multimedia where you can compile your different thoughts and ideas into slideshow presentations and videos. Effective communication is directly related to your computer skills.
Computer literacy helps not only in landing jobs, but it may also increase your salary as you can take on more responsibilities and perform more complex tasks.
Computer skills to highlight include being able to use word processing, spreadsheets, social media, data visualisation and email communication.
6. Strong Work Ethic
A strong work ethic is another excellent skill to highlight when applying for jobs. Employers want employees who they can trust to perform their duties and meet deadlines without having to micro-manage them.
Having a great work ethic ensures you can complete your tasks and manage your work effectively even when no one is regularly checking your progress.
When employees and leaders act responsibly and ethically, work culture within organisations improves significantly. This creates a robust ethical culture where everyone from stakeholders to employees feels safe, protected and secure, thus driving the company to success.