Top 7 power skills employers want (and how to develop them at college)
When you think about getting a job, your mind probably jumps to qualifications, grades, and technical skills.
While those are important, there’s something else employers are just as interested in: Power skills.
What are power skills?
Power skills, sometimes called soft skills, are the personal qualities and behaviours that show how you work with others, solve problems, and adapt to different situations.
They’re not just “nice to have” – they’re often what makes the difference between landing the role or missing out.
Here are the top 7 power skills employers are looking for in modern workplaces and how you can build them while you’re still at college.
1. Communication
Whether it’s speaking clearly in an interview, writing a professional email, or listening carefully to a client, communication is at the heart of almost every job.
At college: Take part in class discussions, presentations, or student ambassador roles to practice sharing your ideas confidently.
2. Teamwork
Most careers involve working with others, so employers want people who can collaborate, respect different perspectives, and contribute to a shared goal.
At college: Group projects, volunteering opportunities or doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award are great ways to show you can work well with others.
3. Problem-Solving
Employers need people who can think critically, spot issues, and come up with solutions, especially when things don’t go as planned.
At college: Challenge yourself with coursework that requires independent research, or join enrichment clubs that encourage creative thinking like the student leadership or student union.
4. Adaptability
The workplace changes fast: within a short space of time there could be new technologies, new processes, and new priorities. Being able to adapt shows employers you can handle change positively.
At college: Try stepping outside your comfort zone by taking part in work experience, a new enrichment activity, or a different study method.
5. Time Management
Meeting deadlines, balancing workloads, and prioritising tasks are all crucial in the workplace.
At college: Managing coursework, part-time jobs, and extracurriculars is the perfect way to show you can juggle responsibilities. Use planners or apps like Todoist, Microsoft Planner or even just your email’s calendar to help you stay organised.
6. Resilience
Setbacks happen. What matters is how you respond. Resilience shows employers you can keep going, learn from challenges, and bounce back stronger.
At college: When assignments don’t go to plan, use feedback to improve. Reflecting and trying again builds resilience over time.
7. Digital Literacy
From emails to presentations to industry-specific software, digital skills are essential in almost every role today.
At college: Make the most of digital tools in your studies – whether that’s creating presentations, using spreadsheets, or getting to grips with online learning platforms we use like Google Classroom.
Why power skills matter
When employers have several candidates with similar qualifications, it’s often soft skills that make the difference. They prove you’re not just capable of doing the job, but also of growing within the role and contributing to the wider team.
Next steps at college
This week at College is Careers and Skills Week. Throughout the week, each campus will be offering more information about the careers advice and skills development we offer to help you recognise and grow these skills. Whether it’s through careers workshops, CV support, interview practice, or work placements, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stand out.
One of the best ways to develop these power skills is by signing up to our Skills for Employment programme. You’ll have ten power skills that you can work towards certification in to make you a first-class employee. Employers are supporting this by providing work experience or an industry placement to help gather the evidence required for each stamp and certificate that you’ll receive.
So, while you’re working hard on your qualifications, remember: employers hire people, not just certificates. Invest in your soft skills now, and you’ll set yourself up for success in whatever path you choose next.