The Top Organization Skills That Employers Value

17 Feb The Top Organization Skills That Employers Value

As you’re polishing up the resume in preparation for looking for a new job, you’ll want to highlight all the impressive skills and experiences obtained during your career. 

Most ads will indicate the skills that are key to the job, and for HR and administrative positions, organizational skills will be at the very top of the heap. Keeping things on track, on schedule, and budget could not be more critical for an office, and the sharper your organizational skills, the more you’re likely to stand out from the rest of the applicants. 

But which skills are most important? And what, exactly, are organizational skills? 

It’s more than just a clean desk. It’s more than just orderly folders. Having those are great, and will be an outward reflection that you’re on top of everything, but being organized is more than that. 

Organizational skills mean being able to see a project as both the sum of its parts and all the little pieces that make up the big picture. It’s knowing where and how everything fits together and where each part of the project stands in terms of completion. It’s also keeping extra information in proper place and perspective and knowing when to delegate tasks to keep things on track. 

Among the key organizational skills employers want: 

Time management

The cliche “time is money” is a tried-and-true saying for a reason. If someone needs more time to complete a job, it means they’re not working on the next project and delaying the current one. Being able to allocate and use time efficiently properly keeps everything moving smoothly and on schedule. Proficiency in programs like Google Calendar, Trello, and Outlook, when called out on your resume, will show you understand how important time management is and what you’ve got useful tools in your toolbox to implement. 

Prioritization 

When there are multiple projects in the works at once, you need to be able to identify the most crucial tasks and separate those from a long to-do list. Being nimble and adjusting priorities quickly and decisively is key here, as is being able to delegate tasks to other members of a team who can help out in a pinch. Discuss your ability in setting and maintaining deadlines and times you’ve completed major projects to impress your future employer. 

Team management

A good team has people who have diverse and complementary skills who work well together, and each has a specific, well-identified role to play. Being able to see and understand a team’s makeup and strengths and to assign tasks accordingly to the best person for them will keep everyone working hard and feeling like they’re contributing.

Communication

It cannot be stressed enough that clear, effective, and concise communication can make a project successful, while the lack thereof can stonewall something before it begins. Use tools that have been proven to work, including mind maps and flowcharts, to outline a project from start to finish, detailing every step, and indicating when something’s been completed. Any experience with software like Creately or MindManager should be highlighted. 

Be very specific when touting your organizational skills. Talk about successes and victories and be precise about your role in them. Use numbers when possible and quantify all you can when applying, and you’ll be able to make a great impression before you get on the phone for an interview. 

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For more advice on how to write a stellar resume, or to get an inside track on available jobs that match your expertise, contact LeadingEdge. We’re standing by and ready to help you find that perfect new job today!