Professional skills: how to stand out in the workplace

When hiring, companies look for candidates who have the necessary technical knowledge, as well as the professional skills and competencies that can add value to the workplace. While these abilities vary depending on the sector, industry and specific needs of each role, their importance is universal.

 

Continuously working on and strengthening these competencies can improve your candidacy and help you stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. In this article, we will explore why these competencies are so important, which ones are most valued, and how you can develop intrapreneurial skills.

 

 

Why are professional competencies important for employees?

 

Professional competencies are essential for overcoming work-related challenges, adapting to change and collaborating effectively with colleagues. They also play a key role in personal and professional growth by enabling skills to be applied effectively to achieve better results.

 

Intrapreneurial competencies are particularly valuable: individuals who can propose new ideas, lead projects and drive innovation bring undeniable added value to any organisation.

 

 

The 8 most sought-after professional competencies

 

• Problem solving: Critical thinking and the ability to identify and find effective solutions are essential in any professional environment.

 

• Emotional intelligence: Managing your own emotions and understanding those of others is key to effective communication, teamwork and leadership.

 

• Communication: Expressing ideas and thoughts clearly and efficiently.

 

• Teamwork: Collaborating and working with other professionals is fundamental, especially in multidisciplinary environments.

 

• Adaptability and flexibility: The ability to adjust to changes, new developments and unforeseen situations demonstrates resilience in the face of constant evolution.

 

• Customer orientation: Understanding and meeting customer needs by providing a quality service.

 

• Technological skills: It is important to develop both general digital competencies and sector-specific skills.

 

• Creative thinking: Generating innovative ideas and solutions to solve problems or optimise processes.

 

 

How to improve your professional competencies

 

Developing your professional competencies can make you stand out from other candidates with similar experience and qualifications. Some effective strategies include:

 

• Participating in specialised training and courses, such as the Intrapreneurial Competencies course offered by Axxon.

 

• Developing skills that are not your strongest.

 

• Being open to continuous learning and constructive feedback.

 

• Applying intrapreneurial competencies to drive projects and generate value within the company.

 

 

Improving your professional competencies increases productivity, enhances job satisfaction, and improves your ability to adapt to new challenges. This commitment to continuous improvement will help you grow as a competitive and valuable professional throughout your career.