15 professional skills that will close the gap between the skills employers seek and the skills applicants have. Individuals who understand and can demonstrate the following professional skills will be in high demand.

• Drug-Free – The individual commits to being drug-free.
• Reliability – The individual has integrity and responsibility in professional settings.
• Work Ethic – The individual has positive work habits, personal accountability, and a determination to succeed.
• Punctuality – The individual arrives to commitments on time and is ready to contribute.
• Discipline – The individual follows guidelines, demonstrates self-control, and stays on task.
• Teamwork/Collaboration – The individual builds collaborative relationships with others and can work as part of a team.
• Professionalism – The individual demonstrates honesty. He or she dresses and acts appropriately and responsibly. He or she learns from mistakes.
• Learning Agility – The individual desires to continuously learn new information and skills.
• Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving – The individual uses strong decision-making skills, evaluates issues effectively, and thinks creatively to solve problems.
• Leadership – The individual uses the strengths of others to achieve common goals. He or she coaches and motivates peers and can prioritize and delegate work.
• Creativity/Innovation – The individual is original and inventive. He or she communicates new ideas to others, drawing on knowledge from different fields to find solutions.
• Oral/Written Communications – The individual expresses thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms.
• Digital Technology – The individual has an in-depth understanding of emerging technology and uses technology to solve problems, complete tasks and accomplish goals.
• Global/Intercultural Fluency – The individual values, respects, and learns from diverse groups of people.
• Career Management – The individual is a self-advocate. He or she articulates strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to success in a job or postsecondary education.