Here are eight of the most desirable skills to mention in an interview, along with examples of how to include them in an answer.

1. Communication

Excellent communication skills are vital in any job. Your answers should demonstrate your ability to deliver information clearly and concisely. Talk about verbal and nonverbal communication skills relevant to the role, including writing, active listening, and presentation skills.

Example answer: I’ve always prioritized communication and becoming a more effective communicator. I continue to take writing and presentation courses, and I am one of the best at creating and delivering presentation decks at my current company.

2. Business acumen

Show off your knowledge of the industry, as well as your understanding of the organization’s mission and vision, the markets it serves, the competition, and the strategies for generating revenue. Business acumen or commercial awareness skills are especially vital in sales and other customer-facing positions. Researching the company will turn up insights that will help you use this skill to your advantage in an interview.

Example answer: This company serves a hyper-specific niche with fierce competition. In my experience, most players in the industry are trying to reach the market through social media. I believe a more conservative approach is more productive. In my previous role, I was able to customize prospecting methods to sign more clients and increase our business by 15%, despite the stiff competition.

3. Collaboration or teamwork

Teamwork and collaboration skills are also vital for success in any position, especially for roles that require working as part of a team. Most roles require regular work with fellow contributors. Emphasize your ability to build and maintain positive working relationships for the benefit of the organization.

Example answer: I value teamwork and enjoy working with others. In my previous role, my supervisor depended on me to organize the team’s work schedule and assign tasks based on each individual’s skills and experience. I can work independently, but I thrive when I’m working with like-minded people toward a bigger goal.

4. Adaptability

Employers value highly-adaptable employees, and they succeed in a wide range of roles and instinctively pivot to find solutions when situations call for them. In fast-changing business environments, flexible workers help their organizations turn roadblocks into opportunities.

Example answer: I’m a very flexible person. Regardless of the situation, I always strive to get results. For example, last year, one of my contractors backed out of our contract in the middle of a project. As the project lead, I already had a backup plan, and we were able to switch to a new vendor to meet our deadline. We delivered on schedule, and that helped us secure a new, larger deal with the client.

5. Problem solving

Companies value employees who can solve problems because they can identify potential opportunities before others. Great problem-solvers make outstanding leaders because they are adept at helping the company manage difficult situations. These employees take initiative, are innovative, and understand their organization’s vision.

Example answer: My current team thinks of me as the go-to person for solving problems because I’m good at modeling multiple solutions to determine the path to the best result. I’ve also got a deep bench of contacts and colleagues within the industry, so I can quickly build a team to execute a new strategy.

6. Positivity

Optimistic employees are assets to their companies because they learn from setbacks and use challenges to grow and support their peers and organization.

Example answer: My positive attitude has always helped me overcome problems. For instance, a client once rejected the work I did because of an internal dispute at their company. I was able to market the same project to another client and only had to change a few parameters to meet their specific requirements. For me, challenges are just a tunnel to new opportunities, so I always focus on getting to the end of the tunnel.

7. Organization

An organized employee can prioritize effectively, work efficiently, and meet deadlines. Interview skills answers about organization should highlight how you manage time and prioritize projects.

Example answer: Early in my career, I had a boss who was a stickler for protocol. Everything had to be done in a certain way at a specific time. My time with her helped me appreciate the importance of organization, and I still get more work done in less time because of my time management and prioritization skills.  

8. Leadership

Whether you are applying for an entry, middle, or senior role, employers love employees who can lead others. Leadership skills include the ability to delegate, assign tasks, set deadlines, motivate and support, and provide constructive feedback to colleagues and team members.

Example answer: As a mid-level manager, I provide motivation and feedback to my teams, and help eliminate obstacles that hamper their productivity. Happy employees stay at a company longer and produce better work, so I make an effort to acknowledge and reward excellence.