The Top 5 Skills You Need to Get Hired in Operations

The Secret Sauce That Sets Great Hires Apart

I feel like every job posting these days is looking for someone with good communication skills, but do you know what that really means? It’s a bit of a catch-all, like saying you’re a “people person” or that you “work well under pressure.” (After all, who’s going to admit they panic at the thought of deadlines?) But in operations, communication—and a few other key skills—aren’t just buzzwords; they’re essential tools you need in your back pocket.

Through my years in operations, both as a hiring manager and someone navigating the trenches, I’ve seen firsthand which skills make a difference. If you’re looking to get hired in operations, here’s my rundown of the top five skills you need—and why they matter.

1. Active Listening: It’s More Than Just Nodding

Active listening in operations isn’t just about hearing someone out; it’s about tuning in to the details that aren’t being said. One of my favorite examples? A time when I almost hired someone who told me they didn’t “love” Excel. Now, in any other industry, maybe that’s forgivable. But in operations, it’s almost a love language. Active listening is about catching those subtleties. Are they comfortable with ambiguity? Do they like solving complex puzzles? Or are they just saying they do because it’s what they think I want to hear?

When you actively listen, you’re not just building rapport—you’re uncovering real insights into processes, issues, and how to make things run better.

2. Good Communication: (No, It’s Not a Cliché)

You’re right. Communication skills are on every job listing out there, but in operations, they take on a unique flavor. Here, “good communication” means you need to be able to pivot between speaking with an engineer about process specifics and briefing a senior leader on why a three-week delay isn’t the end of the world. Operations folks often serve as the bridge between different teams, which means you’re constantly translating and distilling information for different audiences.

Good communication isn’t just about delivering information; it’s about knowing the right way—and the right moment—to deliver it. Picture this: we were days away from a major launch, and I knew the new process documentation had a few rough edges. Instead of firing off a quick update and risking a wave of confusion, I pulled together a simple checklist, highlighted only the critical points, and scheduled a quick huddle with the team. By the end of it, everyone was clear on their roles, and no one felt like they’d been hit by a firehose of information. That’s the trick—knowing when less is more and making sure the message lands smoothly. If you can do that, you’re well ahead of the pack.

3. Team Building & Management: The Art of Herding Cats

Operations is full of “one-man army” types. I’ve seen brilliant ops managers who prefer solo problem-solving—until they realize they need a team to scale. That’s where team-building and management come into play. You’re not just recruiting people who can do a job; you’re creating a group that functions smoothly under all kinds of pressure. And if you can keep morale high while troubleshooting a process breakdown at midnight, even better.

Being able to build and manage a team is a skill that’s often learned in the fire. I remember the first time I had to mediate a debate between two team members over the “best” project management tool. Spoiler: it got heated. The real skill lies in helping everyone feel valued while keeping the train moving. You don’t have to be best friends, but fostering respect and alignment on goals is key.

4. Organization & Process Improvement: Yes, We Do This for Fun

If you’re going into operations, you should probably enjoy color-coding spreadsheets and finding flaws in workflows. Organization is your bread and butter, and process improvement is the butter on top. Operations is about looking at a process and knowing you could shave off five minutes here, reduce a step there, or automate the whole thing. And if you don’t spot these things instinctively, don’t worry—you will, eventually.

Early in my career, I thought organized chaos was just as good as organized order. Yeah, it’s not. There’s an art to keeping everything moving in the right direction. In fact, I’d argue that mastering process improvement is a lot like learning to play jazz. There are rules, but knowing when to break them to get things moving is where the magic lies.

5. Empathy: The Most Underrated Skill

In the end, operations is about people. And if you’re managing processes without understanding the humans behind them, things can go south pretty quickly. Empathy helps you get ahead of potential issues, build trust, and, most importantly, avoid burnout—both yours and the team’s.

When I took on my first big leadership role, I thought I had all the answers. But then I met a team member who was struggling, and instead of sticking to my agenda, I took a step back and listened. That small gesture helped build trust and respect. Empathy is about creating an environment where people feel safe to bring up issues, knowing that you’re not just a problem-solver but someone who genuinely cares about making things better for everyone involved.

So, there you have it. Operations isn’t just about keeping the wheels turning; it’s about the skills that make that possible. With active listening, communication, team building, organization, and empathy, you’re not just filling a role—you’re driving change and ensuring everything runs like a well-oiled machine. And if you can do all that without breaking a sweat? Congratulations, you might just be ready to dive into operations.