Employability skills
What are employability skills? The skills, knowledge and personal attributes you have developed inside and outside of school, college or university that can help you get a job and be successful at work. The skills and knowledge that are related to doing a particular job, and doing it well. The ability to present yourself (written and spoken) effectively in job applications and interviews. You ll probably have many of the employability skills that employers look for but you just don t realise it!
Employability skills and personal attributes Employability skills are also known as: Soft skills Transferable skills Key behaviours Competencies Personal skills Personal attributes are your: Positive qualities Behaviours Personality
Employability skills and personal attributes Competencies and attributes that employers look for in candidates will vary according to the job role, sector etc. Do your research for each job you apply for what skills and qualities does that employer or role require? Then tailor your application or CV to demonstrate how you have these. Use real examples.
Examples of transferable skills Time management Drive, ambition, initiative Teamwork Commercial awareness Self-aware Goal orientated Resilient Reliable Good communicator Problem-solving Leadership Honesty and integrity Flexibility Motivation Analytical Organisation Numerate Literate Confidence Building relationships Networking Planning
Relevant skills in business and finance sectors Verbal communication Written communication Planning and organisation Problem-solving Commercial awareness Flexibility Investigating / analysing Self aware Drive and ambition Numeracy Professionalism, integrity Self-motivation Resilience Computer skills
Examples of personal attributes Resourceful Confident Honest, trustworthy Adaptable, flexible Intelligent Logical Organised Sociable Practical Quick-thinking Inquisitive Ambitious Responsible Warm, friendly Resilient Persuasive Determined Optimistic Hard-working Thorough Efficient Etc.
Identifying your transferable skills/attributes A SWOT analysis can help you identify your which skills or attributes you have and which you may need to develop: S = Strength W = Weakness O = Opportunity T = Threat Focus on your strengths, reduce your weaknesses and take advantage of opportunities available to you.
What can you gain from a SWOT analysis Strengths Understand your skills/attributes: you may have more than you think! Which skills/behaviours do you have that match what employers want and how to evidence this on your CV Opportunities What opportunities are there to help you develop, which goals should you pursue and how will these opportunities help you reach your goals? Weaknesses Skills/attributes you need to develop or improve upon to boost your skills Any skills or behaviours you might need to tone down or keep control of to help your career Threats Are there any threats you need to manage? How can you use your skills or attributes to overcome these threats?
SWOT analysis: an example Strengths I enjoy being part of a team I communicate well I have great computer/it skills Opportunities There is an opportunity to do a presentation as part of my assignment at school/university. I should volunteer for this to practise my skills and gain confidence speaking in public Weaknesses I m scared of presenting I don t cope well with pressure I lack confidence in a group Threats I may not have the right skills for the role They may be stronger candidates applying for the same role
Employability skills in.sports / societies Being part of a sports club, doing sports, club competitions, team events, student societies etc can help you develop key skills such as: Teamwork Communication Organisation Time-management Leadership (eg, for team captain, coach, tour organiser etc) Responsibility Motivation / Dedication.
Employability skills in.work experience Part-time or full-time work at a restaurant, bar, supermarket, call centre, petrol station, hairdressers, shop assistant will all have been a valuable way to help you develop key skills that most employers will look for: Communication Customer service Time-management Responsibility Self-motivation Problem-solving
Employability skills in.other experiences You may have developed good transferable skills/attributes through some of the other activities you do or have done: Volunteer work Communication, dedication, teamwork, responsibility, reliability, patience, building relationships etc Baby-sitting Communication, responsibility, reliability, time management, trust and integrity etc Paper round Responsibility, reliability, time management, motivation etc Anything else?
Ask yourself What do I know about the profession/sector I m interested in? What are the skills/behaviours that are particularly important for that sector or profession? Where/how can I find out more? Do I have the right skills? Is this sector/profession right for me? What skills do I need for the role/position I want to apply for? Do I have them? What examples do I have to show employers I have them? What can I do to develop my existing skills? How can I develop more of the skills that employers look for?
What employers look for? There are three main things that employers will look for whether this is in your application, at interview or in an assessment centre. Can you do the job do you have the skills, knowledge, experience etc to do the job. Will you do the job do you have the motivation, attitude etc to be able to do the job. Will you fit in here do you have the personality, confidence, outlook to fit in with the company culture, team dynamics etc.
Next steps Get involved in school/university life, sports clubs etc Develop your soft skills Gain work experience What type of jobs / careers are there? Research jobs / careers that interest you why interesting, what skills would you need, ask someone you know who has that same career Prepare a good CV and describe your achievements and competencies clearly in your CV Always keep your CV up to date Look at typical job application forms and practice how you would fill one out
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