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.

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.

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.

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.