Improve Your Attention to Detail
It is a very competitive job market and having the right employability skills on your CV will help you get ahead, get noticed and get a job offer. One of the top skills employers look for on a CV is attention to detail. Completing tasks on time, being able to spot and adjust to deliver better results are two ways that you are able to show your attention to detail. Not all of us, however, have this skill. But don’t worry as it is something you can work on. First of all, you need understanding what attention to detail is, why employers look for it and ways to develop and demonstrate your skills in an interview.
What is Attention to detail?
Attention to detail is having the focus to work on a task, until it is complete, to a high standard and free of errors. Attention to detail is not just one skill but a combination of soft skills. This can vary from one job to the next. It could be spotting mistakes in a report or it could be spotting there is a mistake with an order.
Why do employers value it?
Mistakes cost companies time and money, having to re-do work or having work with errors in, affects the company. The more accurate you are in your role, the more productive and efficient you are, the better it is for productivity. You can easily see why having attention to detail is a skill employer’s want candidates to have. One way you can show this is by making sure your CV is error free, by checking for spelling mistakes and grammar. Also by making sure that you have a consistent layout and format.
How can you improve your attention to detail?
Even if you think you have good attention to detail skills or they need some improvement. It is good to build good habits into your routine to strengthen your employability. Here are some points that can help you improve:
Be clear on your responsibilities
Knowing that your role and responsibilities are, is important so you don’t miss important details that could lead to mistakes. If you are not aware of what they are or you have changed roles, an easy way to reaffirm what your responsibilities you hold is by referring to your job description, speaking with your line manager or HR department.
Block out distractions
Distractions make us lose focus and this affects the quality of work you can produce. If you are getting distracted, putting in place things to help block them out will help you do your best. For example, getting notifications on your phone, chatty co-workers or a noisy family, if you’re working from home, can all add to lose of focus. For these you can turn your phone to silent or turn notifications off. You could also find a quieter space to work in or wear headphones.
Create a plan
Creating a weekly plan and having goals will help keep your focus up. You could use a journal or diary and have a to-do list. There are also a number of apps that can help organise your day. It is important to not get too stuck on these lists, as projects and task that are urgent will always land in your inbox.
Organise your space
Having a messy or unorganised work space can mean that details can easily be missed. The main cause of an untidy space is paperwork. Scanning documents or asking colleagues to send PDF copies instead of hard copies, will cut down on unnecessary paperwork. You can also keep a filing system for work and deleting non-essential files from your computer. Â Â Â
How can I let an employer know I have these skills?
In your interview is a great place to give examples for when you have used your attention to detail to help your previous business. They may not ask you directly, but questions like ‘What is your greatest strength?’ or ‘What is your most valuable skill?’ are great to talk about attention to detail.
An example answer could be:
‘My most valuable skills is my attention to detail. I spotted that customers’ orders where not getting out on time or being held up because of the labels were written by hand, as the machine was broken. I raised this issue, and the machine was fixed, meaning orders could be dispatched on time.’
You could also refer back to what the interviewer has mentioned about how they want the department or company wants to grow and link it to a skill or passion you have that could help achieve this project for them.Â
All these tips and practices can help you to show your attention to detail skills and that you are the right person for the job. At Free2Learn we want our students to have a well-rounded set of skills, so that you are ready to go in employment. Our courses in personal development and employability, will ensure you have the skills you need to achieve your goals. Go to: Government Funded Courses for Unemployed- Enquire now | Free2Learn to see which course inspires you to make it happen in 2021!
