Important Skills Needed to Be Successful in the Workplace

Employers are looking for talent right now. Open jobs outnumber applicants, but you still need to bring the necessary skills to the table. Today’s workplace is collaborative and technological, but what other skills should you bring to the table. Here are the essential skills you need for the modern workplace to find your next opportunity.

Active Listening

Active listening isn’t just about communication, though it is an essential part. As humans, we tend to listen to someone else only as long as it takes for us to form an answer. That means we often tune out anything else that’s said. Active listening is about being fully present for the other person. Engage with them by repeating what they’ve said back to ensure you’ve understood and asked questions for clarification.

Problem Solving

Companies are often only as good as the last problem they solve. That means you need to bring problem-solving skills to the table. How would you approach a problem? How do you take responsibility for your actions and determine the best solution? How are you able to work with a team to accomplish a better outcome?

Critical Thinking

Similarly, critical thinking is an essential part of the workplace. Employers want to know that you take steps to think about every situation with a critical eye, see it from all angles, and develop ideas and solutions around the core situation. Critical thinking is an objective analysis rather than one informed explicitly by your expectations.

Time Management

Companies also don’t want to work with employees who rush, avoid deadlines, or procrastinate. Good time management skills will help an employer see that you can work efficiently and manage your own time. Practical skills help you do this, including keeping a planner or calendar and checking off a daily “To Do” list.

Collaboration

Today’s workplace is highly collaborative. This is an evolution and partially due to the shift in generations currently working. But companies want to see their employees working together to accomplish a common goal. Healthy competition is good, but ultimately the entire team needs to be on the same page and work well together.

Are you ready to find your next opportunity? Visit our job board to view our current openings.

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Meet Shane...

Shane’s journey with Nextaff began in 2019, when he established a successful franchise in the Kansas City metro area. His experience as a Nextaff franchise owner provides prospective buyers with a completely transparent view of the Nextaff Franchise Opportunity. Prior to his time at Nextaff, Shane led large sales teams in the Financial Services and Medical Device industries, further developing his expertise in leadership and business management.

Do you play sports?

Basketball! I was fortunate enough to play college basketball all 4 years and in 2013 we won the NCAA DII National Championship.

What do you love most about your current role?

Getting to know prospective franchise buyers. I love hearing about their goals and dreams they want to achieve through entrepreneurship.

What is your favorite color?

Orange! Yes, it is one of Nextaff’s main colors but it was my favorite before coming to Nextaff. In the franchising world, I’m known as “Orange pants guy”.

Meet Cary...

When it comes to operating a staffing firm, Cary has worn every hat.  From recruiting, to sales, to management, to ownership, he has been involved in every aspect of running a successful staffing business.  He has successfully led three separate companies to the Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 lists, which puts him in an elite class of staffing entrepreneurship.  Combining that experience with a strong passion for entrepreneurs makes Cary an ideal leader for driving the Nextaff vision. 

Describe yourself in three words.

Loyal, Driven, Creative

Is there a mantra or affirmation you live by?

Do what you said you were going to do.

Do you have a celebrity doppelganger?

Back in the day, it was John Cusak.  “I want my two dollars!”