A recent Wall Street Journal article addressed how the landscape has changed for both employers and entry-level new hires.  The expectations for skills will obviously vary based on industry, but there are some key categories of skills that people moving into entry-level positions should be able to exhibit in order to secure a job.

• Communication - Even if your comfort zone is minimal contact outside your workspace, employers are expecting you to be able to interact. This can include communication with clients, internal contacts, and vendors.
• Listening - This should probably more accurately be phrased ‘active listening/problem solving'. Being able to hear what issues are occurring internally or externally and then determine an action plan to move forward is an important skill in the workplace.
• Numeracy - You don't have to be an accountancy major or have a background in math to show your abilities in this area. Knowledge of software programs using numerical information such as Excel will allow you to analyze information effectively.
• Adaptability - Do you consider yourself a lifelong learner? Are you willing to take on a project even if you need to learn a new process or method to achieve the goal? Employers want to know that their team is going to learn new skills as their job changes and they move into greater areas of responsibility.