Are You Really “Teachable”?

Here’s the scenario.

You see a job post that is completely up your alley. You decide to apply, but before you submit your CV, you scan through what you’ve written. You tweak a few phrases, add a couple of skills - ones you know might catch a recruiter’s eye.

You pause.

Hard worker? That’s a given.

Team player? Everyone writes that.

Then another word hits you: teachable.

Yes. That’s the one.

You save the document and submit it.

Organisations are constantly inundated with job applications, and candidates are faced with the difficult task of standing out in a crowded market. CV formats keep changing, trends come and go, and many people have become increasingly creative - sometimes overly so - when listing their skills.

But here’s the real question: Do you truly understand what you are communicating when you list a skill on your CV?

What Are You Really Saying When You Say “Teachable”?

Let’s zoom in on the skill of being teachable.

What is it that you’re actually communicating? More importantly, how does that skill show up in your everyday work life when it’s no longer a word on a page, but a behaviour that needs to play out in real time?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “teachable” means:

a) capable of being taught

b) apt and willing to learn

At first glance, this feels like an easy box to tick. Most people would say they’re open to learning. But being teachable isn’t passive, it’s active, and it hinges on a skill that is often overlooked.

Communication. More specifically: listening.

Teachable = Listening in Action

If you are not an effective listener, you will struggle to be teachable.

Why? Because being teachable isn’t about nodding along or agreeing, it’s about genuinely receiving information, processing it, and adapting your behaviour as a result.

In the workplace, learning is constant. You’ll be learning:

• new ways to complete tasks

• new approaches to problem-solving

• new systems and processes

• new ways to navigate difficult colleagues

• new expectations from managers or clients

If you struggle to listen, without interrupting, defending, or dismissing, you will struggle to learn. If you struggle to learn, you’re not teachable in practice, no matter what your CV says.

So How Can You Develop This Skill?

If being teachable relies on listening, then improving your listening skills is non-negotiable. Here are three practical ways to start:

1. Listen to understand, not to respond: Most people listen while mentally preparing their reply. Teachable people listen with the intent to understand first. This means pausing, asking clarifying questions, and resisting the urge to immediately justify or explain yourself.

2. Seek feedback and sit with it: Being teachable means actively inviting feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable. The key is what you do after you receive it. Can you reflect on it without becoming defensive? Can you apply it going forward?

3. Observe before you act: In new environments or situations, teachable individuals take time to observe how things are done before trying to change or challenge them. They recognise that learning the context is just as important as contributing ideas.

Don’t List It If You Can’t Live It

If you genuinely believe you are teachable, and that listening is a strength you consistently demonstrate, then list it on your CV with confidence. But if it’s something you struggle with, don’t. Your CV isn’t just a marketing document; it’s a promise. You can be strategic and put your best foot forward, but what you write is what you will be expected to model in the role. Misalignment doesn’t stay hidden for long.

Before You List “Teachable,” Ask Yourself:

1. How do I typically respond to feedback, especially when I disagree with it?

2. Do people feel heard and understood when they work with me?

3. Can I point to a real example where I changed my behaviour based on what I learned?

   
   

If you can answer these honestly and positively then “teachable” isn’t just a word on your CV. It’s a skill you bring to the table.