Interpersonal and teamwork skills are the most highly sought after, according to a survey of 4,500 employers.

A report, by Job Centre Plus, found that regardless of occupation, whether unskilled or professional, teamworking and interpersonal skills were highly sought after by employers.

Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus Lesley Strathie said that the research would help the organisation understand employers' needs.

"This research is important in helping us understand the choices employers make about where to recruit from and which candidates to take on. We will repeat the survey annually to provide a benchmark for future years and to track recruitment trends."

Jobcentre Plus' list of key skills for main employment areas (the percentage of employers that cited the skills are in brackets).

Service (bar staff, packers, unskilled labourers):
* Interpersonal and teamwork (42%)
* Motivation and flexibility (38%)
* Verbal communications (35%)

Sales and customer service (sales assistants, checkout operators, telesales, call centre staff):
* Verbal communications (66%)
* Interpersonal and teamwork (53%)
* Motivation and flexibility (44%)

Operative (process, plant and machine operatives and vehicle drivers):
* Motivation and flexibility (40%)
* Job-specific skills (30%)
* Interpersonal and teamwork (25%)

Skilled trades (chefs, electricians, construction):
* Job-specific skills (45%)
* Motivation and flexibility (41%)
* Interpersonal and teamwork (36%)

Professional occupations:
* Verbal communication and job specific skills (both 67%)
* Academic/professional qualifications and motivation and flexibility (both 63%)