Introduction : One of the goals of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is to prepare their graduates to be workplace ready. Previous studies have established connections between work-ready graduates and sustained economic growth (Clarke, 2018). In periods of economic growth, employers can seek employees with well-developed transferable skills in areas beyond the discipline (Huang, Fisher, Ding, and Guo, 2021). However, there is no single set of skills that employers want from graduates (Maxwell and Armellini, 2018). Nonetheless, in periods of economic uncertainty and unpredictable labor markets, employers may adopt different measures or criteria for recruitment (Clarke, 2018), and potential employees may seek work elsewhere. The Covid-19 pandemic epitomizes the most significant moment of uncertainty the global economy has ever witnessed. With the ever-changing sanitary conditions and new waves of Covid-19, there is a lack of information on the necessary skills for workplace success or the future of the workplace (in general). This paper aims to bridge the gap between the skills that are (still) taught in graduate programs and the skills graduates genuinely need in the post-Covid workplace. Purpose : Since early 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected all industries worldwide. Airplanes were grounded, travel was halted, and many professionals were furloughed or simply out of work. Some of these professionals converted to other industries during this time or retrained for new opportunities. They were not prepared to routine to their ‘old’ jobs or ‘traditional ways of working. The previous dilemma of retaining talent has been overshadowed by the need to attract talented graduates to work in specific industries. Thus, the purpose of this ongoing research project is three-fold: 1. to identify the employability skills necessary to flourish in a post-Covid-19 workplace, particularly in STEM disciplines, 2. to attempt to fill the gap between STEM graduate student perspectives and employers’ perspectives, and 3. to make a stronger link between STEM HEIs and the real world. In this developmental paper, we will focus on an initial reflection on the first objective, i.e., identifying the skills needed to be successful in the 21st-century workplace. Contribution : Previous studies have addressed employability skills needed to be successful in the workplace. While earlier studies cited skills such as being a team player, self-motivation, communication, problem-solving, being proactive (McGunagle, 2016; McGunagle and Zizka, 2018), entrepreneurship, and self-management (Ng, Chan, Wut, Lo, and Szeto, 2021), this study aims to confirm if these skills are still the most relevant or determine the new skills that are more important in a post-Covid-19 economy. The findings from this study will be used to create a roadmap to help STEM attract talented employees again. The objective of this developmental paper is to narrow the gap between the skills graduate students acquire in STEM programs and the skills that employers seek. This study will contribute to the existing literature on talent management by co-creating an employability skills roadmap. Although this study is focused on STEM HEIs, it will interest all educational institutions regardless of level or discipline. Employability- The Focus on Soft Skills According to a report by Deloitte (2017), almost 2/3 of employment opportunities in 2030 will require soft skills because they have the potential to increase revenue and customer satisfaction (leading to further profits and retention). However, in the same report, ¼ of employers reported having difficulty filling entry-level vacancies because applicants lack soft skills. Thus, finding candidates with hard skills or skills that could be taught on the job is less complicated than finding candidates with softer ‘people’ skills that enhance a company’s reputation and success in employability. Figure 1 demonstrates how these soft skills can contribute to business success.