EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

Skills, Attitude, and Qualities to

Get and Keep a Job.
(Myth) Once a career is chosen, then the person is stuck with it.
Universal Employability Skills
1. Communication Skills
2. Teamwork Skills
3. Self-Motivated/Ability to work with little or no supervision
4. Problem-Solving/Decision-Making, Reasoning/Creativity
skills
5. Dedication/Hardworking/Work Ethic
6. Planning/Organizing Skills
7. Dependability/Reliability/Responsibility
8. Adaptability
9. Availability/Flexibility
10. Honesty/Integrity/Morality—Character Counts!
11. Computer/Technical Skills
12. Interpersonal Abilities
Universal Employability Skills
13. Self Presentation Skills
14. Multi-Tasking Skills
15. Positive Attitude/Motivation/Energetic
16. Self-Confidence
17. Leadership/Management Skills
18. Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness
19. Loyalty
20. Professionalism
21. Willingness to Learn
22. Customer Service Skills
23. Common Sense
Employability
 Having and using your life skills and abilities to be
hired and stay hired.

 (Truth) Most people change careers at least 5-7

times in their lives. Skills developed in one job can
be used in different lines of work or industries.
 1. Present positive qualities

 2. Communicate effectively with ALL

employers, co-workers, and consumers
(i.e. customers, clients, patients, users, etc.)

 3. Meet your responsibilities at work

What are employability skills?

 Knowledge in a specific career.

 Examples:
 An electrician knows wiring
 An auto mechanic knows engine repair
Includes Life Skills
 1. Decision Making - Shows you know how to
evaluate options.

 2. Problem Solving - Shows leadership role to find a

positive solution.

 3. Goal Setting - Shows you know how to set up a

plan to achieve specific goals.
 4. Critical Thinking - Shows you know how to be
objective and think logically

 5. Communicating Effectively - Shows you know how

to work with others.
Employability Characteristics
 1. Positive Attitude - Do not criticize others

 2. Cooperative - Shows respect for employer

 3. Accepting and using Feedback - Shows you

want to learn and are willing to improve.
 4. Flexibility - Accept change and adapt to new
situation

 5. Leadership - Able to make decisions and solve

problems. Shows others respect and people want to
work with you.
How to Build Employability Skills?

 Conflict Resolution - Look for ways to reduce conflict

with siblings and communicate more effectively with
parents.
 Set Academic Goals - Create a plan to achieve.
 Be Active in a Club - DECA, Cyber Security, Team
Sports, 4-H, Student Cabinet, and more.
 Participate In Some Form of Community Service -
Dedicate your time and energy toward improving
the community.
When looking at Job Description
 What are the responsibilities?
 What kind of education or training is required?

 What is the pay range?

 What is the work environment?

 Where is the job?

Realistic Career-Related Goals
 1. One that you can plan for and actually achieve.
 2. You have the resources to accomplish.
 3. Uses your skills and abilities.
 4. Should be specific
 State
exactly what you want to accomplish
 When you believe you could achieve the goal
 Where you hope to live and work
Haven’t Chosen a Career?

 Set goals for academic achievement

 Set goals for volunteering

 Set goals for researching different types

of careers.
 Set goals for building skills and abilities

 Set goals for earning and saying money

A Career Plan

 A map that can show you a way to reach

your goals.
 First, write a statement describing your
ultimate career goal.
 Example: I will be an Occupational
Physical Therapist in Colorado by the time I
am 30 years old.
Add Short-Term Career Goals

 Include a timeline, for example:

 1. Get an “A” in health class this semester
 2. Volunteer at a physical rehabilitation center

 3. Research Colleges and Universities that offer

physical therapy degrees by the end of this year.
Plans change over time

 Goals and/or resources can change so

remain flexible and be ready to
implement your plan “B.”
Trade Offs

 Giving up one thing to get something else

 Focus on things that are most important

 Create your own opportunities