When you think about the skills needed to advance your career, what comes to mind? Often, we jump straight to technical qualifications, or big-picture competencies like strategic thinking or leadership. While these are essential, there’s another category of skills that quietly shapes your day-to-day performance and long-term impact.
These micro-skills are the foundations of professionalism. They’re the small, practical habits that influence how effectively you communicate, collaborate, and manage your workload - whether you’re working in the office, remotely, or somewhere in between. Mastering them doesn't just make you efficient; it makes you someone colleagues can depend on, trust, and want on their project teams.
Writing effective emails (even in an age of instant messaging and AI)
Even with Microsoft Teams chats, DMs, and AI writing tools, email remains a core communication channel in finance, accounting, data and tech roles. How clearly you write often reflects how clearly you think.
A strong email is concise, structured, and easy to action. It includes:
- A clear subject line
- A short, relevant introduction
- Key information presented logically
- A clear request or next step.
AI tools can help you tidy your writing, but you’re better off deciding what’s important or setting the right tone. Every well-written email strengthens your professional reputation and helps projects move faster.
Creating useful meeting notes (not just recording the discussion)
In hybrid teams, meetings can quickly become information-heavy. Being the person who can capture the essential points, decisions, data, actions, and owners, adds real value, or the person who reviews any AI note-taking summary to check it correctly represents the key points.
Good note-taking or AI review isn’t transcription, it’s analysis. It requires:
- listening for what matters
- summarising complex points
- identifying responsibilities and deadlines
- clarifying actions so nothing gets missed.
Sharing a short action summary afterwards makes the whole team more accountable - and shows your growing confidence and communication skills.
Asking good questions (the underrated skill of future leaders)
Curiosity is one of the most powerful drivers of progress, especially in technical industries like accounting, data, and technology. But impactful questions are intentional, not random.
Instead of asking, “Is this right?” Try asking: “Can you talk me through why we’re approaching it this way?”
Good questions demonstrate critical thinking, help you understand the “why” behind processes, and often show senior colleagues that you’re thinking beyond the task in front of you.
People who ask thoughtful questions tend to learn faster, adapt quicker, and contribute more meaningfully to discussions.
When you’re in meetings, pay attention to how questions are asked by others to see how they best.
Mastering time blocking (a productivity strategy that actually works)
With multiple tasks, shifting priorities, and notifications constantly competing for your attention, managing your time intentionally is crucial. Time blocking is a straightforward but powerful method used by professionals, managers, and productivity experts.
Divide your day into clear blocks dedicated to specific tasks - financial analysis, revision, data modelling, email admin, or project work.
Time blocking helps you:
- maintain focus
- stay organised
- work proactively rather than reactively
- reduce cognitive overload.
It’s especially effective when studying while working, helping you protect both revision time and personal time.
Your path to progression
These micro-skills won’t transform overnight, but small improvements compound quickly. They’re the habits that support exam success, strengthen your workplace relationships, and prepare you for more responsibility as your career grows.
Start by choosing one micro-skill to focus on this week. Practice it intentionally, build it into your routine, and notice how it changes the way you work.
Because progress doesn’t always come from big moves - often, it’s the small skills that make the macro difference.
Interested in an apprenticeship?
If you think an apprenticeship might be the right fit for you, have a look at our apprenticeship programmes to see if there’s one that would suit you. If you’re already employed, find out more about how to discuss starting an apprenticeship with your employer.
Employers can also learn more about our apprenticeship offerings by contacting our team for further details.