employability

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “employability” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the quality of being ready or able to be employed—such as when a person has the necessary skills and experience to work in a certain field. Example sentence: My main goal is to improve my employability by gaining more experience in the marketing field.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Around 60 per cent of the country's top employers indicate that international study enhances employability, according to research from the Council for Industry and Higher Education.

Independent

"Competition is fierce so it's crucial that students focus on building up their employability skills throughout university," says Les Rees, director of careers and employer services at Cardiff University.

Independent

And with findings from a recent report by PA Consulting Group showing that 40% of students struggle to secure the right placements, how can academics, careers advisors and leaders of higher education and employability work together to support the specific needs and ambitions of individual students?

The Guardian

In an NUS survey 70% respondents said they took the [teaching] job to improve their employability.

The Guardian

The focus on productivity and employability doesn't factor in time for taking care of yourself: you're a cog in the university system, being prepped for becoming a cog in the working world.

The Guardian

In this week's live chat we want to look at what universities are doing to help students gain the experience they need to get ahead of the game and enhance their employability opportunities.

The Guardian

The right algorithms can crunch this information into almost any context, from credit scores to health and motor insurance premiums; from indexes of employability and influence to net worth.

The Guardian - Opinion

– Monitoring dropout rates, employability and loan repayment outcomes for students on different courses.

The Guardian

"Neither the employability nor NSS [student satisfaction] data sets are perfect - no data is - but universities do care a lot, and more so.

The Guardian

Michael Farthing, vice-chancellor of Sussex University, says the university's recovery is down to its increased efforts to boost the employability of its graduates.

The Guardian

International students are often denied internships, placements and other opportunities that would enhance their employability.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing educational outcomes, emphasize specific skills gained that directly contribute to a graduate's "employability". This adds concrete value to your argument.

Common error

Don't assume increased "employability" automatically translates to job placement. "Employability" refers to the potential to be hired, while placement is the actual act of securing a job.

Linguistic Context

The word "employability" functions as a noun, representing the quality of being employable. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in describing someone's capacity to secure employment, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "employability" refers to the quality of being employable, commonly used in discussions about education, skills, and job prospects. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It's important to remember that "employability" focuses on potential and qualifications, not guaranteed job placement. Enhancing "employability" involves gaining skills and experiences that make one a more attractive job candidate. The term appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academic contexts. Improving "employability" can also be expressed as increasing "job readiness" or "career readiness", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

job readiness

Focuses on the immediate preparedness for a job.

workforce preparedness

Highlights preparation for entering the workforce.

career readiness

Emphasizes readiness for a long-term career path.

marketability

Stresses the ability to be easily sold or promoted to employers.

hireability

Directly refers to the likelihood of being hired.

professional competence

Highlights the skills and abilities needed for a profession.

skills proficiency

Focuses on the level of skill and expertise.

vocational fitness

Emphasizes suitability for a particular vocation.

occupational competence

Highlights competence in a specific occupation.

suitability for employment

Directly states the appropriateness for being employed.

FAQs

How can I improve my "employability"?

Focus on developing key skills, gaining relevant experience through internships or part-time jobs, and building a strong professional network. Present these achievements clearly in your resume and during interviews.

What skills are most important for "employability"?

Employers often seek a combination of technical skills, soft skills (like communication and teamwork), and adaptability. Emphasize both your hard and soft skills to maximize your appeal.

Which is correct, "employability" or “employableness”?

"Employability" is more commonly used and widely accepted in professional and academic contexts. While “employableness” also exists, "employability" is the preferred term.

What can I say instead of focusing on "employability" in education?

Consider alternatives such as improving "job readiness", enhancing "career readiness", or increasing "workforce preparedness" depending on the context.