What Employers Want: The employability skills handbook
What Employers Want: The employability skills handbook
SKU:9781911724575
Formats Available: Paperback | eBook
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Paperback Edition
Hugely anticipated fully updated edition of the bestselling guide for school and college leavers, which includes new material on apprenticeships, using AI, cybersecurity, emotional wellbeing and the job market.
Moving from school or college into work is one of the biggest steps you'll ever take as a young person. It's an exciting time but it's also a challenging one - where you'll be fighting off competition to get that crucial first job. But what skills are employers really looking for when they search for new recruits, and what makes you employable?
Uniquely written for students and college leavers and brimming with activities and case studies, What Employers Want 3rd edition is your practical one-stop shop for helping you to identify and improve the skills, attitudes and behaviours required by today's employers. Helping you to secure your first job and equip you for the world of work, this invaluable handbook will guide you to:
- recognise the skills that you already have and what you can already do
- understand how your existing skills will be useful when you look for a job or start work
- build on those skills, so that you become the sort of person that an organisation wants to employ
- help you to create a skills profile that you can use when you apply for jobs and go for interviews.
If you're looking for a job or about to start work, this book will help you to ensure that employers know just how capable you are and why you're exactly the sort of person they need to hire!
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Product Information
Published: 01 August 2025
Edition: 3rd
Length: 164 pages
Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.6 cm
Key Reviews
“What Employers Want: The Employability Skills Handbook is an invaluable resource for young people making the transition from education to the workplace. Packed with relatable case studies and interactive activities, it serves as a supportive and practical guide during this crucial stage.
Karen’s engaging and accessible style expertly leads readers through the key skills and insights needed to secure their first job. A welcome, friendly and empowering handbook.”
Karen Merrifield is Director of Innovate Educate Ltd and founder of The Artery.
Gatsby Benchmarks
This book will help your school meet the following Gatsby Benchmarks:
- Benchmark 2: Learning from careers and labour market information
- Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees
- Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces
Sample Chapter
Download here.
Free Resources
View the resources here.
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Table of Contents
About the author
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1. What skills do you need to succeed at work?
Chapter 2. Where are you now?
Chapter 3. Where do you need to be?
Chapter 4. Using numbers effectively
Chapter 5. Using language effectively
Chapter 6. Digital literacy
Chapter 7. Self-management
Chapter 8. Thinking and solving problems
Chapter 9. Working together and communicating
Chapter 10. Understanding the business
Chapter 11. Write your own profile
Chapter 11. Further information
Meet the author: Karen Holmes
After thirty years writing about employment, Karen is passionate about the need for education, training and fulfilling careers for everyone.