Employability

Skills

The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information
only. For accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
 WHAT ARE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS?

Employability skills are those basic skills necessary for getting, keeping and doing well on a
job. These are the skills, attitudes and actions that enable workers to get along with their
peers and supervisors or to make good, critical decisions. Employability skills are general
skills that apply to all industries, businesses and job levels.

THE 3 EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

Employment skills basically fall into three categories; transferable skills, hard skills, and soft
skills. Your work experience and hard skills stated on your resume will help you get an
interview. Your soft skills earn you the job.

Transferable Skills
1. Motivate others
2. Deal with obstacles and crises
3. These skills can reflect how you deal with things
4. Skills learned from life experience or in past employment that you may apply to other
jobs
5. Examples could be: able to meet deadlines, multi-task, manage staff, problem solve
abilities, creative thinking etc

Hard Skills

1. Learned behaviours
2. Often includes some type of certification
3. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that may be required in a given context, such
as a job application
4. Relevant to a specific job. For example, an accountant’s job related skills might include
financial planning, budgeting and financial reporting
5. Other examples could be; First Aid and CPR certification, knowledge of computer
software programs, implement new mechanical tool designs, or operate kitchen
equipment such as deep fryers and grills

Soft Skills
1. Or adaptive skills
2. Things that you do that do not require formalized training
3. Being flexible and able to adapt to the changing needs of an organization
4. Includes personality traits and characteristics that determine your work style
5. Team player, honest, reliable, flexible, motivated etc
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information 2
only. For Accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
 A SKILL LIST ON A RESUME IS GREAT. NOW PROVE IT!

It’s easy to fill your resume with a long list of skills, but an employer is looking for more fact
based statements when hiring. What separates your employability list from the next guy’s
resume is HOW you use your skills and demonstrate them on paper.

You might have experience working in a fast-paced environment, but you need to give more
details.
1. Greet and register approximately 75-125 clients on a daily basis, while
understanding the nature of each inquiry and directing clients to the appropriate
department.

Excellent written communication skills would be more impressive if you say:

1. Developed creative and informative monthly newsletters for a non-profit
organization with a readership of 200 members.

Organized with good planning skills could be expanded to:

1. Coordinated daily operations in a busy trucking company, maintaining an
inventory of 2,000 parts and numerous work orders.

Reliable and honest? How about:

1. Manager of a 130 unit apartment complex; key holder responsible for the security
and safety of residents.

The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information 3
only. For Accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
 WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR IN AN EMPLOYEE?

REMEMBER
Your resume or job application should show an employer that you have the right skills for the
job. Whenever possible, show them ways you meet each of the following eight points.

1. Personal values
Employers want workers who demonstrate a positive attitude and are motivated,
honest, and goal-oriented.
 Self-esteem and confidence
 Honesty, integrity, and personal ethics
 A positive attitude toward learning, growth, and personal health

2. Problem-solving and decision-making skills

Employers need confident employees who can take on additional responsibilities.
 Think critically and act logically to evaluate
 Understand and solve problems involving mathematical and use the results
 Use technology, instruments, tools, and information systems effectively
 Access and apply specialized knowledge from various fields

3. Ability to relate to other people

Team players are needed in all fields of employment.
 Understand and contribute to the organization’s goals
 Plan and make decisions with others and support the outcomes
 Respect the thoughts and opinions of others in the group
 Exercise “give and take” to achieve group results

4. Communication skills
Employees need to do this well in a variety of ways to be noticed.
 Understand and speak the language in which the business is conducted
 Listen to understand and learn
 Read, comprehend and use written materials, including graphs, charts, and
displays
 Write effectively in a clear and concise manner
 Do not be afraid to ask for help when necessary

The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information 4
only. For Accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
 5. Task-related skills

Responsible people are highly sought after as they have:

 The ability to set goals and priorities in work and personal life
 The ability to plan and manage time, money, and other resources to achieve goals
 Accountability for the actions taken

6. Maturity
Maturity does not equate with age, employers seek individuals who are:
 Reliable, dependable, and responsible
 Take pride in their work
 Put time and effort to do a good job
 Work well with little or no supervision
 Are committed to take courses or additional training in order to develop new job-
related skills

7. Health and Safety habits

WSIB fees are enormous! Employers want people who have safe work habits.
 Follow established workplace rules and guidelines
 Understand common health and safety rules

8. Commitment to the job

Be the type of employee you would hire!
 Be enthusiastic about your work and be willing to learn
 Punctual for work and consistent effort to the team

GO TO:
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/topics/education/default.aspx, to access the skills
credentialing tool for individuals provided by The Conference Board of Canada

The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information 5
only. For Accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010
 STAY COMPETITIVE AND DEVELOP THESE SKILLS
The skills you need to enter, stay in, and progress in the world of work – whether you
work on your own or as a part of a team. These skills can also be applied and used
beyond the workplace in a range of daily activities.

Fundamental Skills Personal Management Skills Teamwork Skills

The skills needed as a base for The personal skills, attitudes and The skills and attributes
further development behaviours that drive one’s needed to contribute
potential for growth productively

Communicate Demonstrate Positive Attitudes Work with Others

Read and understand information and Behaviours Understand and work within
presented in a variety of forms (eg. Be confident the dynamics of a group
words, graphs, charts, diagrams) Deal with people, problems, and Be flexible: respect, be open
Write and speak so others pay situations with honesty, integrity to and supportive of the
attention and understand and personal ethics thoughts, opinions and
Listen and ask questions to Show interest, initiative, and effort contributions of others in a
understand and appreciate the points group
of view of others Be Responsible Recognize and respect
Share information using a range of Set goals and priorities balancing people’s diversity, individual
information and communication work and personal life differences and perspectives
technologies (eg. voice, e-mail, Plan and manage time, money and Understand the role of
computers) other resources to achieve goals conflict in a group to reach
Assess, weigh and manage risk solutions
Manage Information Be accountable for your actions Manage and resolve conflict
Locate, gather and organize and the actions of your group when appropriate
information using appropriate Be socially responsible and
technology and information systems contribute to your community Participate in Projects and
Access, analyze, and apply Tasks
knowledge and skills Be Adaptable Plan, design, or carry out a
Work independently or as a part of project or task from start to
Use Numbers a team finish with well-defined
Decide what needs to be measured or Carry out multiple tasks or projects objectives and outcomes
calculated Be open and respond Work to agreed quality
Observe and record data using constructively to change standards and specifications
appropriate methods, tools, and Adapt to changing
technology Learn Continuously
requirements and information
Make estimates and verify Be willing to continuously learn and
Continuously monitor the
calculations grow
success of a project or task
Identify and access learning
and identify ways to improve
Think and Solve Problems sources and opportunities
Assess situations and identify
problems Work Safety
Identify the root cause of a problem Be aware of personal and group
Be creative and innovative in health and safety practices and
exploring possible solutions procedures, and act in accordance
Evaluate solutions to make with these
recommendations or decisions
Implement solutions
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information 6
only. For Accurate, detailed and up to date information, consult with the actual service provider.
October 2010