4 traits that make you more employable

These skills are crucial - regardless of where you’re at in your career

By jitendermittal

Published 10 July, 2025

4 traits that make you more employable

These skills are crucial - regardless of where you’re at in your career

By jitendermittal

Published 10 July, 2025

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Here is the inside scoop from an employment expert… being employable is not the same as being employed. Having a job doesn’t necessarily make you employable. Conversely, you can still be highly employable if unemployed, even if you have taken extended time off for caregiving responsibilities.

At its core, employability is the set of attributes that make someone more likely to gain employment, keep employment and succeed in their chosen occupation. Employability transcends job sectors and levels. It is as relevant to a school-aged person starting their first part-time job as it is to seasoned professionals in senior roles. Sometimes, as we progress in our jobs, we may inadvertently lose touch with some of these important employability traits.

1

Dependable

I love this attribute. And so do employers. When you are dependable, it means your employer trusts you to do your job; you are on time, meet deadlines and are accountable. It gives them peace of mind.

But what about when the going gets tough? That is when the dependability attribute really kicks in. Be the employee your boss can come to for extra help, support and assistance. It might mean working extra hours and putting yourself out at times – but that’s how strong working relationships are formed.

2

Self-awareness

This quality extends beyond merely understanding how others perceive you, it’s about recognising the impact you have on them. Cultivating self-awareness involves actively seeking feedback.

You can ask directly for feedback from work colleagues or even friends – but be prepared to receive feedback the right way. Try not to be defensive. Instead, be open to hearing the feedback. Ask for examples to understand better and most importantly, ask what the ‘impact’ was. See feedback as a gift and a window to view yourself as others do.

3

Forever learning

Curiosity and learning go hand in hand. If you doubt your learning capability – please don’t. We are all able to learn. Numerous studies consistently show that learning is achievable at any age.

When you are curious, you investigate further and question assumptions – an essential quality to support fresh ideas and current needs in our changing work arena. The pursuit of learning, the acquisition of knowledge and mastering new skills are crucial to being employable.

4

Interpersonal skills

Communication in its basic form is listening and speaking. At a higher level, it correctly interprets situations, has empathy, puts yourself in others’ shoes and reads the not-so-obvious cues and signals. Those who “read” your mind are great communicators, picking up on the silent messages that even you are unaware of sending. It is a beneficial skill for negotiation and team dynamics.

Seeking employment can be daunting. Skills are a given, but to be employable requires more than just skills. It relies on our beautiful human skills. Just as a 16-year-old starting their first job at a café learns the value of punctuality and volunteering for extra shifts, the same principles apply throughout our careers. It’s about how we show up, the attitude we bring and the effort we put into our roles.

Roxanne Calder is the Founder and Managing Director of recruitment agency EST10. She’s a recognised workplace expert, writing regularly for national and international publications and working with global players and boutique businesses throughout Australia, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Roxanne’s passion for supporting women in their professional growth has led her to author two books: ‘Employable: 7 Attributes to Assure Your Working Future’, and ‘Earning Power: Breaking Barriers and Building Wealth for Women’.

Work In Progress is an FW series in which people we admire turn their specialist knowledge and leadership wisdom into practical, accessible advice that you can tap into.