Essential skills for your career

According to an annual survey, the following skills are essential for British employers:

1. Good communication skills
2. Good written English
3. Common sense
4. A positive attitude
5. Flexibility

The last three skills could really be defined as personal characteristics. For many British employers, it's not necessarily the paper qualifications that count, but an ability to make decisions based on common sense, or logic. Employers also appreciate flexibility. So rather than leaving at the stipulated time each day, you should be prepared to work late or come in early if there's a project deadline.

If you want to get ahead in your career, you can also concentrate on improving your work skills. For example, you should make sure your computer skills are up-to-date. Understanding how to use the features of common packages such as Excel and Powerpoint are important, and learning other packages such as Photoshop and Access are useful extras. Internet skills are also key assets. Not only do you need to know how to access and research information, but learning how to manage websites could also be useful.

Lastly, but most importantly, being able to communicate well is fundamental for today's employers. From meetings and presentations, to writing emails and reports, using English accurately and effectively is an essential skill.