Adaptability: a major asset to hold as an employee

The world of work never stops. New technologies, changing customer needs, reorganisations: it seems like there is something new coming at you every month. And this is precisely why adaptability, or agility, is one of the most important soft skills you can possess today.

But what does being agile really mean?  How do you develop this skill? And how do you make sure you score with it during a job application? Recruitment specialist Robert Walters explains.

Adaptability in practice

Adaptability is your ability to move with changes in your environment, both expected and unexpected. In the workplace, this means being open to new ideas, being flexible to changing priorities and reacting proactively to uncertain situations.

A few examples:

• You learn to deal with a new manager's style and approach, and contribute to new ways of working together.
• You take on additional responsibilities due to system changes or new compliance guidelines.
• You shift priorities when an urgent business need suddenly arises, for instance due to geopolitical changes or market volatility.
• You respond smoothly to the increasing use of digital tools, such as ChatGPT.
   

Why adaptability is increasingly important

Organisations are permanently in a state of evolution: digitalisation, economic uncertainties, social trends - everything changes at lightning speed. Those who adapt easily remain relevant and become a valuable link within the team.

Strong adaptability helps you:

• keep up with technological advances and sector trends.
• collaborate better by being flexible and communicative.
• confidently deal with stress or uncertainty.
   

Here's how to build up your adaptability

Adaptability is not a given - you can train it, just like a muscle. By making conscious choices, you become increasingly resilient in dealing with change.

Delve into change management or agile working, for example. Models such as ADKAR or Kotter's 8-step model help you understand how change works and how to respond to it effectively.

It also helps to step outside your comfort zone once in a while. Collaborate on a project in another team, or take on a task outside your normal role. This way, you get to know yourself better, build new skills and become more comfortable with the unknown.

And perhaps the most important tip: keep learning. The world is changing rapidly. Staying curious and investing in your development - through platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Coursera, for example - will ensure you don't fall behind.

Show your adaptability while applying for a job

It is one thing to be agile, but how do you show that to a potential employer?  Simple: be concrete.

In a job interview, it is smart to be prepared for questions like, ‘How do you deal with sudden changes?’ or ‘What do you do when multiple priorities land on your plate at the same time?’ Beforehand, think of a concrete example in which you successfully adapted. What was the situation? What did you do? And what was the result? Real stories make an impression.

In your CV, you can reinforce your adaptability with actionable language. Words like adapted, transformed, developed or implemented show that you are not afraid of change. Clearly state which situations called for flexibility, and how you responded to them.

Your cover letter allows you to go one step further. Explain how you saw a changing environment as an opportunity. Or how you quickly mastered a new tool to keep performing effectively. By doing so, you show that you don't just survive change - you thrive in it.

More information

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