Chapter 1. What Skills and Qualifications Set You Apart?

Years of working have given you an impressive work history that any employer would be glad to utilize, right? You might think so, but that is not necessarily true. You may have years of a certain type of experience, but if the job you are seeking excludes it, your 10, 15, or 20+ years of experience will be worthless to that employer. If you hope to get hired, you will need to give the employer what she needs. Find out the requirements the employer you wish to work for has by checking the company’s website and reading its publications.

A recent scan of want ads and company websites revealed the need for these skills and abilities: organizational ability, oral and written communication skills, web-based technology, blogging, Peachtree accounting software, Peoplesoft, forensic accounting, logistics, SQL, MySQL, and Access. Depending on your field, you will need to know how to use some of these programs and possess some of these skills and abilities. Familiarity with current industry terms, software programs, and equipment in your industry will set you apart from other job seekers. Are you prepared? Skills and technical expertise are keys to landing a job. If you are not up on the technology or skills a particular employer wants, the job is not the right one for you. Desperately sending resumes to every company and every ad you see rarely works. Targeting those positions that fit your credentials and abilities is a better plan.