Discovering Skills to SucceedinaJob

WHATSKILLSDOEMPLOYERSWANT
Everyonetalksaboutskillsbut,whataretheyandwhatdotheymean? Peopleskills: TeamworkLeadershipInterpersonalSkillsoralcommunicationwrittencommunication. SelfRelianceSkills:SelfAwarenessNetworking TimeManagement. GeneralistSkills: ProblemSolvingIT/ICT/ComputerLiteracyFlexibility/AdaptabilityNumeracy Commitment/MotivationCommercialAwareness. Youneedtoknow whatyouaregoodatandhavetheevidencetoproveit.Ifyourecordallyourskills gained throughyourworkexperience,parttimework,voluntaryworkorsocialactivities,inoroutofuniversity,itmakesit easiertocompleteCVs,resumesandapplicationforms. PeopleSkills Teamwork: Theabilitytoworkcooperativelywithotherstoachievesharedgoals,showingdiplomacyand flexibilitywhenthereareconflictingopinionssupportingotherpeoplesperformancetoachievethebest possibleresults. Leadership: Theabilitytotakecontrolofasituationandtoleadbyempoweringothersintoaneffective team.Inspiringandenergizingotherstocarryouttasksandachievegoalsbydisplayingaclearsenseof directionandvalues. Interpersonal:Theabilitytorelateto,andfeelcomfortablewith,peopleatalllevelsandto beableto makeandmaintaingoodworkingrelationships. OralCommunication:Theabilitytoverballyexpressideasinawaythatiseasilyunderstoodbyothers whoareunfamiliarwiththetopicincludingdeliveringapresentation,givingaccurateinformationoracting asaspokesperson. WrittenCommunication:Theabilitytowriteconciselyandconveymeaninginamannerappropriateto differentreaders,presentingapersuasiveargument. SelfRelianceSkills SelfAwareness: knowingyourstrengthsandskillshavingtheconfidencetoputtheseacrossinawork setting. Networking: Theabilitytobuildandmaintaincontacts that areready,willingandabletohelpyouthrough yourworkinglife. TimeManagement: Theabilitytoplanandprioritizeyourworkload andtojudgeseveraltasksatonce. GeneralistSkills ProblemSolving:Theabilityto analyze problematicsituations,seekingrelevantdatadiagnosing informationinordertosolveproblemsgeneralizingalternativesolutionstofindthebestsolution. IT/ICT/Computerliteracy: Theabilitytoaccept,learnandadapttonewtechnology. Flexibility/Adaptability: Theabilitytorespondto,anticipateandmanagechange. Numeracy: Theabilitytohandlenumbers,gatheringstatisticaldataandbeingabletoanalyze,interpret andpresentitinaclearandaccurateway. Commitment/Motivation:Anenthusiasminpursuingaproject,task,subjectoractivity. CommercialAwareness:Anunderstandingofthevaluesofanorganizationanunderstandingofan organizationsgoals,priorities,marketpositionandfuturedirection.

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SkillsMostSoughtAfterbyEmployers
CommunicationsSkills(listening,verbal,written).Byfar,theoneskillmentionedmostoftenby employersistheabilitytolisten,write,andspeakeffectively.Successfulcommunicationiscriticalin business. Exceptionallistenerandcommunicatorwhoeffectivelyconveysinformationverballyandin writing. Analytical/ResearchSkills.Dealswithyourabilitytoassessasituation,seekmultipleperspectives, gathermoreinformationifnecessary,andidentifykeyissuesthatneedtobeaddressed. Highlyanalyticalthinkingwithdemonstratedtalentforidentifying,scrutinizing,improving,and streamliningcomplexworkprocesses. Computer/TechnicalLiteracy.Almostalljobsnowrequiresomebasicunderstandingofcomputer hardwareandsoftware,especiallywordprocessing,spreadsheets,andemail. Computerliterateperformerwithextensivesoftwareproficiencycoveringwidevarietyof applications. Flexibility/Adaptability/ManagingMultiplePriorities.Dealswithyourabilitytomanagemultiple assignmentsandtasks,setpriorities,andadapttochangingconditionsandworkassignments. Flexibleteamplayerwhothrivesinenvironmentsrequiringabilitytoeffectivelyprioritizeand jugglemultipleconcurrentprojects. InterpersonalAbilities.Theabilitytorelatetoyourcoworkers,inspireotherstoparticipate,andmitigate conflictwithcoworkersisessentialgiventheamountoftimespentatworkeachday. Provenrelationshipbuilderwithunsurpassedinterpersonalskills. Leadership/ManagementSkills. Whilethereissomedebateaboutwhetherleadershipissomething peoplearebornwith,theseskillsdealwithyourabilitytotakechargeandmanageyourcoworkers. Goaldrivenleaderwhomaintainsaproductiveclimateandconfidentlymotivates,mobilizes,and coachesemployeestomeethighperformancestandards. MulticulturalSensitivity/Awareness.Thereispossiblynobiggerissueintheworkplacethandiversity, andjobseekersmustdemonstrateasensitivityandawarenesstootherpeopleandcultures. Personableprofessionalwhosestrengthsincludeculturalsensitivityandanabilitytobuildrapport withadiverseworkforceinmulticulturalsettings. Planning/Organizing.Dealswithyourabilitytodesign,plan,organize,andimplementprojectsandtasks withinanallottedtimeframe.Alsoinvolvesgoalsetting. Resultsdrivenachieverwithexemplaryplanningandorganizationalskills,alongwithahigh degreeofdetailorientation. ProblemSolving/Reasoning/Creativity.Involvestheabilitytofindsolutionstoproblemsusingyour creativity,reasoning,andpastexperiencesalongwiththeavailableinformationandresources. Innovativeproblemsolverwhocangenerateworkablesolutionsandresolvecomplaints. Teamwork.Becausesomanyjobsinvolveworkinginoneormoreworkgroups,youmusthavetheability toworkwithothersinaprofessionalmannerwhileattemptingtoachieveacommongoal. Resourcefulteamplayerwhoexcelsatbuildingtrustingrelationshipswithcustomersand colleagues.

PersonalValuesEmployersSeekinEmployees
Ofequalimportancetoskillsarethevalues,personalitytraits,andpersonalcharacteristicsthatemployers seek.Lookforwaystoweaveexamplesofthesecharacteristicsintoyourresume,coverletters,and answerstointerviewquestions. Hereisourlistofthe10mostimportantcategoriesofvalues. Honesty/Integrity/Morality.Employersprobablyrespectpersonalintegritymorethananyothervalue, especiallyinlightofthemanyrecentcorporatescandals. Adaptability/Flexibility.Dealswithopennesstonewideasandconcepts,toworkingindependentlyoras partofateam,andtocarryingoutmultipletasksorprojects. Dedication/HardWorking/WorkEthic/Tenacity.Employersseekjobseekerswholovewhattheydo andwillkeepatituntiltheysolvetheproblemandgetthejobdone. Dependability/Reliability/Responsibility.Theresnoquestionthatallemployersdesireemployeeswho willarrivetoworkeverydayontimeandreadytowork,andwhowilltakeresponsibilityfortheir actions. Loyalty.Employerswantemployeeswhowillhaveastrongdevotiontothecompanyevenattimes whenthecompanyisnotnecessarilyloyaltoitsemployees. PositiveAttitude/Motivation/Energy/Passion.Thejobseekerswhogethiredandtheemployeeswho getpromotedaretheoneswithdriveandpassionandwhodemonstratethisenthusiasmthroughtheir wordsandactions. Professionalism.Dealswithactinginaresponsibleandfairmannerinallyourpersonalandwork activities,whichisseenasasignofmaturityandselfconfidenceavoidbeingpetty. SelfConfidence.Lookatitthisway:ifyoudontbelieveinyourself,inyouruniquemixofskills, education,andabilities,whyshouldaprospectiveemployer?Beconfidentinyourselfandwhatyoucan offeremployers. SelfMotivated/AbilitytoWorkWithLittleorNoSupervision. Whileteamworkisalwaysmentionedas animportantskill,soistheabilitytoworkindependently,withminimalsupervision. WillingnesstoLearn.Nomatterwhatyourage,nomatterhowmuchexperienceyouhave,youshould alwaysbewillingtolearnanewskillortechnique.Jobsareconstantlychangingandevolving,andyou mustshowanopennesstogrowandlearnwiththatchange. FinalThoughts Employabilityskillsandpersonalvaluesarethecriticaltoolsandtraitsyouneedtosucceedinthe workplaceandtheyareallelementsthatyoucanlearn,cultivate,develop,andmaintainoveryour lifetime.Onceyouhaveidentifiedthesoughtafterskillsandvaluesandassessedthedegreetowhich youpossess,themremembertodocumentthemandmarketthem(inyourresume,coverletter,and interviewanswers)forjobsearchsuccess.

SkillsChecklist
Gothroughthelistofskillsbelowandcheckallskillsthatyoupossess.Theseare valuableskillsthatcanhelpyouinmanydifferentjobs! Abilitytoworkindependently Agreeable Ambitious Assertive Basiccomputerskills Bilingual Confident Cooperative Decisive Detailoriented Diplomatic Energetic Flexible GoodCommunicationskills GoodReader Honest Organized Positiveattitude Punctual Reliable Respectful Selfdisciplined Tolerant Versatile Additionalskills&resourcesIhave _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Adaptable Alert Approachable Attentive Basicmathskills Committed Consistent Curious Dependable Determined Empathetic Enthusiastic Friendly Goodlistener Goodsenseofhumor Openminded Patient Problemsolver Quicklearner Resourceful Responsible Sociable Trustworthy

_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

CONFIRMATIONSTATEMENTS
Nowthatyouhaveidentifiedyourskills,itisimportanttodevelopconfirmationstatementsthat willhelpyouproveyouhavetheseskills.Selectfiveofyourstrongestskillsandwritea statementthatproveseachone. Example: Iampunctual,becausewhileworkingatLucysFlowerShopasadeliveryperson,I alwaysarrivedearlyandalwaysmademydeliveriesatthescheduledtimes.

1.Iam/have______________________________becausewhileworking/volunteeringat _______________________asa____________________________,I____________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 2.Iam/have______________________________becausewhileworking/volunteeringat _______________________asa____________________________,I____________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 3.Iam/have______________________________becausewhileworking/volunteeringat _______________________asa____________________________,I____________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 4.Iam/have______________________________becausewhileworking/volunteeringat _______________________asa____________________________,I____________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 5.Iam/have______________________________becausewhileworking/volunteeringat _______________________asa____________________________,I____________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Exercise:RecognizingYourStrengths(SAMPLE)

RecognizingYourStrengths: TranslatingPersonalityStrengthsintoJobSpecificSkills
JobPositionandTitle:AdministrativeCoordinator

JobQualifications

EmployeeSkills

PersonalExampleofHowMy EmployeeSkillsTranslateintoJob Qualifications

1.Abilitytoprioritize work,meetdeadlines, andgreatattentionto detail

Organized Flexible

EverydayIcoordinatemyschedule withmychildren'sschedule.Iam abletochangemyscheduletopick upmychildrenatschoolandtake themtothedoctor'soffice.Ikeep trackofallmyappointmentsinmy datebook,whichIcarryaroundand consistentlycheck.

CustomerService OrientedAbilityto workwellwithothers

Enthusiastic Helpful Friendly

Everyday,someonenewasksme aboutthecurrenthappeningsinour neighborhood.Theresidentskeep referringpeopletomebecausethey sayIamreadytolendahelping handandalwayshaveasmileon myface.

Exercise:RecognizingYourStrengths RecognizingYourStrengths: TranslatingPersonalityStrengthsintoJobSpecificSkills

JobPositionandTitle: _______________________________________________

JobQualifications

Personal Skills

ExampleofHowMyEmployeeSkills TranslateintoJobQualifications

1.

2.

3.

4.

ExploringYourCareerOptions
Usethislistofwaysyoucanexplorecareerstohelpyoufindtherightjob. Gotothelibraryforyourresearch.YoucanusethebookOccupationalOutlook Handbook. LookforjobtitlesusingtheONET(www.onetcenter.org)andOOH(www.bls.gov/oco/) databases. VisitthenearestWorkforceSolutionsCenterforemploymentcounseling. ContacttheSmallBusinessAdministration. Readbusinessmagazines. Readthebusinesssectionof newspapers. Attendtrainingorapprenticeshipprograms. Askrelatives,friends,andothersabouttheirworkandcareers(calledinformational interviews). Tryajobsharingarrangement. Getinternships. Makearrangementstowatchanotherpersonwhilesheorsheisatwork(jobshadow). Dovolunteerwork.

SetCareerGoals
Decidingwhatyouwanttodoandhowtodoitissettinggoals.Peoplesgoalsvary,depending onwheretheyareinthejobsearchprocess. Tosetgoals,thinkaboutwhatyouwant.Thenthinkaboutwhatyouneedtodotoday(shortterm goal),nextweek,nextmonth,nextyear(intermediategoal),andfiveyears(longtermgoal)from nowtogetwhatyouwant.Thejobsearchgoalsyousettodaywillhelpyoudecidewhatactions youneedtotake. Keepinmindthatashorttermgoalforonepersonmaybealongtermgoalforsomeoneelse. Foryou,gettingajobmaybeashorttermgoal.Forsomeoneelsewhowantstogotoschool, gettingajobmaybealongtermgoal.