Soft Skills for Career Success

10th Grade Informed Career Decisions #1

(Microsoft, 2011)

Pre-Test
1. What are two soft skills employers mention most often? 2. What are three steps to manage a conflict? 3. ______________ diversity is an important soft skill for most employers.

Soft Skills Survey

Tabulate Soft Skills Survey

Add scores for eight items
36 and Above: Excellent Soft Skills 30 to 35: Good Soft Skills 29 and Below: Need to Improve Soft Skills

Objectives
Learn more about the importance of soft skills
o Communication o Teamwork o Work well with diverse populations o Empathy o o o o Positive Attitude Growth Mindset Self-Control Out-of-School Activities

Communication and Teamwork

The soft skills employers reference most often is
Communication Teamwork

These 2 skills are becoming increasingly in the workplace Watch The Power of Soft Skills Video

Is a Canadian IT program video but outlines soft skills well Pay close attention to communication, teamwork & points about
Good attitude Verbal and written presentations Working well in a diverse workforce

Important Communication Skills

Speak clearly and succinctly
Provide a compelling message Deliver essential details while monitoring number of words

Provide specific details with concrete examples

People like to hear short stories Examples raise understanding and support for your ideas

Be a good listener
Helps build strong relationships Team members often have good ideas

Important Teamwork Skills

1. Do Your Part
Avoid not doing enough and taking over projects

2. Compromise at appropriate times

Balance compromising and supporting your good ideas

3. Get along well with team members

Focus on the positive traits of co-workers Make time to have fun and laugh together Manage conflicts well
1. Talk it out effectively 2. Know when to ignore small things 3. Get help when the first two steps do not work

Groups: Pick 3 Most Important Skills and Explain Why

Speak clearly and succinctly Make time to have fun and laugh together Provide specific details with concrete examples Focus on the positive traits of co-workers Be a good listener Do your part on projects Compromise at appropriate times Get along well with team members Manage conflicts well

Work Well with Diverse Populations

The workplace is becoming increasingly diverse Most employers want workers who work well with diverse populations
Race, sexual orientation, gender, disabilities, religion, age, geographic area, educational level, etc.

Watch the Embracing Diversity video

Pay special attention to how this center embraces diversity

Group Activity: Answer 2 Questions

The last line of the video is
As long as you are a person, you are invited to the Howard Thurman Center

Why do you think that this attitude is important to most employers? How might this attitude help increase production at the workplace?

Positive Attitude
Some things that people might believe with a positive attitude
Mother Teresa quote: Every time you smile at person, it is an action of love and a gift to that person I see opportunities in every problem I am grateful for all my gifts Watch the Employee Career Tip Video
Notice how a positive attitude helps in this business

Growth Mindset
People with a growth mindset believe that
Intelligence is something that you become through strong effort and persistence People with a growth mindset & optimistic attitude tend to Have a more positive self-image Look at others in a more positive light Show more tenacity in complex group tasks

Empathy
Empathy: the ability to see another persons point of view Empathy is helpful on the job because it helps create a positive work environment Most employers want someone who can see others point of view and uses that ability to gain more understanding Watch the No Empathy Video
Do not do this

Self-Control
Watch The Hard Facts Behind Soft Skills Video
Students with high amounts of self-control tend to practice more habits of success

3 Ramp-Up Habits of Success are

1. Use a planner and binder 2. Take notes 3. Have a set study time every night

Students that have low self-control are more likely to drink and do drugs in college
This is too often a main factor when students have academic and personal problems in college

Out-of-School Activities
Watch the Alcohol: True Stories video

Video details very bad stories about alcohol abuse

Results in students not reaching their academic & personal goals First select friends who are a positive influence Join clubs in your areas of interest Participate in intermural activities/Stay physically active
You will have just a few classes and a lot of free time

What is more common is when alcohol and drug abuse Positive out-of-school activities in college

Balance these activities with your daily study time

Group Activity: Pick Individual 3 Strengths

Explain How You Demonstrate These Soft Skills
Good communicator Valuable team member Work well with diverse groups of people Participate in positive after-school activities Have positive attitude Have a growth mindset Show empathy toward others Practice habits of success Others

Sample Student: Update Postsecondary Plan

Update Your Postsecondary Plan

Update the Strengths section
Write 3 Soft Skills strengths

Post-Test
1. What are two soft skills employers mention most often? 2. What are three steps to manage a conflict? 3. ______________ diversity is an important soft skill for most employers.

Review
Two soft skills employers mention most often
Good communicator and team player

Three steps to manage a conflict

1. Talk it out effectively 2. Know when to ignore small things 3. Get help when the first two steps do not work

______________ diversity is an important soft skill for most employers.

Embracing