7 Skills You Need in the Real World of Work

It takes more than a college degree to make it in the real world of work. Employers look for a variety of soft skills to back up the technical training and education you receive in pursuit of your degree.

Here are seven real-world business skills to master before you graduate. For even more helpful info, check out Monster's grads site.

How to Network

Learn how to shake a hand, make strong eye contact and dress well for a business event. Attending networking events can help you connect with alumni and professionals in your chosen field. When you attend a networking event, set a goal of having two or three meaningful conversations about your experience and goals for the future.

How to Leverage Relationships

As you network and make connections, you’ll need to know how to draw upon them to build your career. Keep track of the people you’ve met, how you can help them, and how they can help you.

Advocate for others, especially when they may be in a position to return the favor. At the same time, be cautious about putting your credibility on the line. As a young professional, you don't have the stock to vouch for just anybody.

How to Write Effective Emails

Strong written communication skills are essential in the real world of work. A clear email or cover letter can help open doors.

No one wants to read long or poorly written emails in the workplace. Use exclamation points sparingly and never write in all caps.

How to Make Small Talk

Also known as making chit-chat and shooting the breeze, small talk can help you build meaningful relationships. A few causal exchanges and soon you're introducing yourself to prospective employers, meeting team members, and finding contacts at networking events. Instead of asking what someone does at work, make your questions more specific. For example, try asking,"What's the coolest thing you've worked on in the past three months?"

And when someone asks you a question, give an interesting answer—tell the story around your achievements.

How to Solve Problems

You might know how to interact professionally with customers, write effectively, and work within a team, but the skill that come sin handy in the real world of work is the ability to problem-solve: Identify an employer’s challenges and offer a workable solution.

People often want to talk about themselves and their accomplishments, including their degrees. But lots of people out there have degrees—and the years of experience that you don't have yet. What employers want to hear about is how you can solve their business problems.

Do some homework, discover an employer’s business problems, and come to the interview armed with solutions.

How to See the Big Picture

Young employees may struggle to see the reasons why things are they way they are at a new employer, and can get frustrated. To counter that, focus on the big picture. Imagine you're a researcher as you read up on businesses and companies. Ask yourself:

• why the company does things the way it does
• what are industry standards
• how does the person at the lowest ranks contribute to corporate strategy

Doing so can help you understand the soft skills and social norms you need to follow within the company.

How to Set Realistic Expectations

Undergraduates need to learn to set realistic expectations for their professional growth and development, and this is trickier than it seems. You aren't going to walk into the workforce and immediately score the title, salary, or responsibility that tenured employees have.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Ready to get going? Make a free profile on Monster, and we can hook you up with recruiters, send you custom job alerts, and much more.