Top skills employers look for in job candidates in the Philippines

Today's job market is competitive, so a strong employment and education history may not be enough. Many employers in the Philippines want workers who can command a room with strong interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and communication. These skills are becoming more important due to a growing digital economy. Many industries look for technically proficient professionals with effective soft skills. 

Developing your skills and applying them is essential for fresh graduates and seasoned professionals to stand out in the workplace. Here's a review of valuable skills you can develop to progress in your career, some soft skills examples, and tips on how to use them. We'll cover: 

• Communication skills 
• Technical skills 
• Problem-solving skills 
• Teamwork and collaboration skills 
• Adaptability and learning skills 
• Time management and organizational skills 
• Leadership skills 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

1. Communication skills 

Communication is an important skill in the workplace, which many recruiters look for when hiring for a role. Effective communication is exchanging information and interacting well with those around you. 

You can apply communication skills in the workplace in many situations, such as writing a monthly report, managing customer feedback, collaborating cross-functionally, or performing a presentation to your clients and colleagues. 

There are five primary communication skills to develop: 

• Verbal communication: This is how you speak to others, often during interviews or meetings.
• Nonverbal communication: Also known as body language, nonverbal communication encompasses your facial expressions and gestures.
• Written communication: This includes writing the message you want to convey in reports, emails, and letters. 
• Visual communication: This type of communication is all about what the other party sees, such as presentation slides or infographics. 
• Aural communication: Active listening helps you process what others say and understand their meaning to prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication. 

How to apply communication skills? 

Learning how to apply your interpersonal skills can help you communicate with colleagues. For example, it's essential to adapt your tone and language when speaking with people from different cultures. In the digital industry, you might use simple terms and sentences to help business teams better understand your reports. You can practice or improve your communication skills in various ways: 

• Take courses on e-learning platforms such as Udemy or Coursera. 
• Practice your verbal communication skills by joining public speaking groups or chatting with your colleagues in informal settings. 
• Ask your supervisor for feedback on your presentation and writing skills. 

2. Technical skills 

With the world becoming more technologically advanced, employers expect their employees to have at least some basic technical knowledge. This could include using basic computer software or artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance your work. Many companies are undergoing digital transformation and hiring for technical roles, so developing your technical knowledge can set you apart. High-demand technical skills include: 

• Cloud computing: Cloud computing technicians deliver computing services over the internet. 
• Knowledge of enterprise applications: It's important to develop competency in systems, applications, and products in data processing (SAP). 
• Data analytics: Data analysts use tools such as Structured Query Language (SQL). 
• AI and machine learning: AI is increasingly used in many industries, so developing skills in this area can help you get noticed. 
• Coding: Developers of digital projects write code to improve their products. 

How to apply technical skills?

There are many ways to apply basic technical skills across industries, such as managing POS systems or e-commerce platforms if you work in a retail company or using telemedicine apps if you work in the health care sector. Human resources professionals use application tracking systems to scan through resumes, so knowing how to use this software can be valuable. Here are ways you can improve your technical skills: 

• Take technical courses in e-learning platforms such as Udemy or Coursera. 
• Join hackathons to get hands-on experience. 

3. Problem-solving skills 

Problem-solving skills are critical, and many employers include interview tasks to test for them. They show that you can analyze a situation, think quickly, and find solutions during unexpected challenges. Problem-solving abilities also help in decision-making and innovation. 

Customer service personnel may solve problems when identifying the cause of customer complaints, or a shipping executive may come up with alternative delivery routes due to sudden weather changes. A marketer may put new strategies in place to target customers based on past campaign analytics. 

Here are ways to improve your problem-solving skills: 

• Go through online case studies and attempt to solve their problems. 
• Journal often to reflect on how you overcame past challenges. 

4. Teamwork and collaboration skills 

In a Filipino context, many people believe in the spirit of Bayanihan, which is to work together toward a common goal. This encompasses teamwork, collaboration, respecting each other's ideas, and providing a positive contribution. Effective collaboration can also include resolving conflicts in a constructive manner. Teamwork and collaboration are important skills in many industries, especially in companies that work across teams. 

How to apply teamwork and collaboration skills? 

Industries apply teamwork and collaboration skills differently. For example, nurses require close coordination with doctors and other medical staff to ensure they communicate patient records clearly. Departments often collaborate cross-functionally on company-wide projects to meet all project requirements. Another good example of collaboration in the workplace is in the retail sector, where salespeople often support each other when a store has high customer traffic. 

Here are ways to improve your teamwork and collaboration skills: 

• Join your community as a volunteer for group projects. 
• Make use of project and collaboration tools such as Trello or Slack to practice task sharing. 
• Sign up for team-building workshops or watch TED talks on collaboration and teamwork. 

5. Adaptability and learning skills 

With technology advancing and the economic market shifting every few years, it's important to learn how to adapt to changes so that you don't get left behind. Companies are looking for employees ready to face challenges and learn new processes and tools. 

How to apply adaptability and learning skills? 

Applying adaptability and learning skills can include learning how to use online tools for meetings and collaborative work, or a new software system. In the banking industry, adapting can also mean learning to adapt to a different process because of stricter data security protocols. 

Here's how you can improve your adaptability and learning skills: 

• Write a weekly journal on how you've adapted to past challenges and what helped you. 
• Ask for feedback from your supervisors and teammates after taking on a new responsibility. 
• Learn new skills from short online courses so that you're constantly improving. 

6. Time management and organizational skills 

Time management and organizational skills can improve your productivity and efficiency. These skills include prioritizing, strategic planning, meeting deadlines, and multitasking. Organizational skills are common in the workplace, especially if you handle multiple tasks in your role. 

How to apply time management and organizational skills? 

There are several ways you can apply organizational skills at home or in the workplace, such as planning a work calendar, scheduling your tasks and appointments to ensure you meet deadlines, or managing different tasks, such as working on a project while coordinating with stakeholders. 

Here's how you can develop your time management skills: 

• Prioritize your tasks using methods such as the Pomodoro Technique or Eisenhower Matrix. 
• Schedule your tasks and work with online planners such as a digital calendar. 
• Break tasks into small steps so you don't overwhelm yourself.  

7. Leadership skills 

While leadership may seem like a management skill, everyone can benefit from developing it. Being a leader isn't just about managing a team. It takes initiative to work on tasks, accept accountability for them, and inspire others to improve. Learning and applying your leadership skills can help you grow into management roles naturally. 

How to apply leadership skills? 

Leadership isn't only about managing a team – it can include stepping up to train a new hire in their role or suggesting some strategies to your team in the latest marketing campaign. Taking the initiative to improve current and dated processes and systems is also a good example of applying leadership skills to your daily tasks. Here are other ways you can improve your leadership skills: 

• Read self-help books on leadership to help cultivate a leadership mindset. 
• Join mentorship programs that coach you on strategic thinking. 
• Practice making decisions and setting goals in your team. 

Conclusion 

Standing out in the competitive job market requires educational achievements, industry experience, and a good mix of technical and soft skills. With the digital economy growing in the Philippines, investing in developing these skills can help you in your workplace and when looking for a new job. 

With communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration, and adaptability skills, you can progress in the workplace to find new opportunities and leadership roles. Measure your progress and track your growth in these skills to ensure that you continuously learn and improve yourself. 

FAQs 

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about skills in the workplace: 

1. What are the current trends in communication skills requirements for job seekers in the Philippines? 
   ⁠⁠In the Philippine job market, employers are looking for people who can communicate effectively across different cultures and time zones. They also want employees who can adapt to communicating across different mediums, such as email and virtual meetings. 
2. How has the demand for communication skills in the Philippine job market changed in recent years? 
   ⁠Since COVID-19, the rise of remote working and global collaboration has made virtual communication as important a skill as in-person communication. 
3. What are the most in-demand technical skills in the Philippines? 
   ⁠Some of the most in-demand technical skills in the job market include data analytics, AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. 
4. How are Philippine companies investing in employee technical skill development? 
   Many companies are forming partnerships with online learning platforms, such as Udemy, to help employees develop their technical skills online. Some companies may also sponsor in-person training workshops for their employees to learn these skills. 
5. How do Philippine employers assess problem-solving skills during the hiring process? 
   ⁠During interviews, the hiring manager may assess your problem-solving skills by asking situational questions or case studies to see how you use critical thinking or decision-making. 
6. What are some innovative teamwork practices in successful Philippine companies? 
   ⁠Innovative teamwork practices in companies may include using agile methodologies or brainstorming sessions to promote cross-functional teams. 
7. How does cultural diversity impact teamwork in Philippine workplaces? 
   Having a culturally diverse team in the workplace can help to bring fresh perspectives and innovation. However, it's also important to be sensitive to different cultures and communicate clearly to prevent misunderstandings.
8. How are Philippine educational institutions preparing students for adaptability in the workplace? 
   Some schools are leveraging educational technology to help prepare students to adapt to the workplace. This teaches digital and soft skills to help prepare them for a working environment. 
9. What are some effective time management techniques for successful professionals in the Philippines? 
   Effective time management techniques include using the Pareto analysis, Parkinson's Law or Pomodoro technique. You can also use digital productivity tools, such as Trello or Asana, to help you organize your work.