Assignment Two

Employability Tool Kit

Student ID: R1710D3613374
Introduction:

The Employability Toolkit is designed to help individuals to increase their

employability. It can be used when making career plans or looking for a new job.
The job market can react fast to global changes. It is therefore important to be able
to make the most of the professional opportunities available at different times. You
need to know what your competence is in relation to any particular job.
Challenges are differ depending on situation. You should have a better
understanding into your competences, goals and job opportunities available for
you. To achieve this, there are 3 simple steps to follow, Find out your competencies,
determine your future and develop other competencies to match that future. These
three steps guide you through a SWOT analysis of your professional situation and
prospects.
Employability Toolkit
IN THIS PRESENTATION WE WILL DISCUSS :
• EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY
• EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
• EMPLOYABILITY TOOLKIT
• HOW ORGANISATIONS USE THE EMPLOYABILITY TOOLKIT
• PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW
Employment and Employability

Employment is all about getting or searching for a job.

Employability:  is an effective mix of skills, attributes and attitudes that allows an
individual to be employed and function successfully in required roles. The skills can be
transferable from job to job or industry to industry.

Between the 1950’s and 1980’s, employment was considered one’s ideal path and
success was determined by seniority of position. By 1990, technological advances sped
up market cycles and companies started going out of business, reorganising and new
companies emerged. The labour market had to respond by being more flexible, providing
talents where needed. Workers were therefore rewarded based on performance and not
seniority. To be more competitive, workers now have to be Able to develop proficiency in
transferable workplace skills which has replaced seniority as a barometer for
employability. Sills have become necessary for career success at all levels.
Employability Skills
What do employers look for

Employability skills are the transferable skills that are required by an individual to make
them employable. Employers often outline a set of skills that they require from an
employee to take up a particular position. These are what the employers believe will allow
the employee to carry out the duties that have been determine for the role.
A range of UK-based companies compiled a list of top 10 employability skills which they
look for in potential employees. They further defined what the skills meant and expressed
how you could express evidence of the skills in an interview or application for a job.
1. Communication and interpersonal skills – this is the ability to explicitly explain what
you mean through written and spoken means. An individual should be able to listen
and relate to other people an act on the key information and instruction they receive
2. Problem solving skills – an individual should be able to understand a problem by
breaking it down and identifying key issues, implications and identifying solutions. An
individual should apply knowledge from different areas to solve a task.
Employability Skills

3. Using initiative and being self motivated – Individuals should have new ideas of
their own which can be realised to come up with new realities. They should show
strong personal drive and not wait to be told to do things.
4. Working under pressure and to deadlines – The ability by an individual to handle
stress that comes with deadlines and ensuring that they are met.
5. Organisational skills – being organised and methodical. Individuals should be
able to plan work and meet deadlines and targets. They should monitor progress
of work to ensure that they are on track in meeting objectives.
6. Team work – working well with other people from different disciplines,
background and expertise to accomplish a set objective or goal.
7. Ability to learn and adapt – an employee should be enthusiastic about work and
identify ways to learn from mistakes and from new developments in relation to
the work.
Employability Skills

8. Numeracy – this is an ability to use data and mathematics to support evidence or

demonstrate a point. And individual should be able to back up assertions with
facts and figures
9. Valuing diversity and difference – understand the value of diversity and what it
can bring. An individual should be considerate of different needs of different
individuals
10. Negotiation skills – expressing requirements in an unemotional clear fashion to
achieve a win-win outcome.
The list is not exhaustive. Organisations will change their skills requirement to match
the ever changing business process.
The Employability Tool Kit

The employability toolkit is designed to help individuals increase their employability.

It can be used to assist in making career plans and when looking for a job. It was
initially developed by the FEANI continuing professional development committee.
Today's labour market is restless and is reacting fast to global changes. It therefore
is very important for an individual to be able to make the most of the professional
opportunities that become available. They need to understand what their
competence is that will give them a competitive advantage when doing or looking
for a job.
To have abetter insight into one’s professional competence, goals and opportunities
available, an individual has to follow 3 steps
1. Find out your competence
2. Find out your future career
3. Develop your competence
The Employability Tool Kit
1. Finding out your competence

An individual should know their professional competence and be able to

communicate it to employers verbally and in writing. This is usually done through
a CV and an application letter. Nowadays, this is done through electronic systems
but you still give the same information as it was done previously.
The CV should explain;
• Who you are
• What you have achieved
• What you are able to do
• Why you should be chosen
• Why you would like to work for that particular employer
The Employability Tool Kit
1. Finding out your competence

As an individual, you need to be able to answer these basic questions. It is

important to have a clear message and make the recruiter interested in you
enough to invite you for an interview.
Your verbal skills come into use at the interview. It is rare nowadays to be
interview once. Interviewers may require you to return to highlight some things.
You need to impress them with your self appraisal. Ensure to prepare in advance
as the interview will dig deeper into your competences and personality. Ensure
that you have written down your answers to be able to determine if your answers
are logical. You can use another person to help you get prepared. Use active
words when describing what you have accomplished.
Analyse your strengths and weaknesses and things that are important to you. This
will help youin writing a CV and application letter.
CVs can also be used as a marketing tool to convince clients about how
competent you are in your current position.
The Employability Tool Kit
2. Finding out your future career

A dream job cannot just be handed to you. You need to be proactive. Identify what your ideal
career is then check what is realistic considering your strengths and weaknesses. Ensure to
have options of a career path. Be prepared for changes in your professional life brought about
by changes in the working life. Do not stick to one way of doing things or thinking. Be
innovative. Find answers to what your present and future career opportunities are and be
ready to change according to what the job market wants.
Build a personal information databank and keep in touch with people who can give
information on companies and organisations. Identify the typical career paths in your field.
Alternative job profiles can be able to offer the right career.
By doing such an exercise, you can get started planning your future career. By doing a SWOT
analysis analyse the past jobs , looking at positives and negatives on tasks performed,
possibilities of professional development, possibilities for career development, salaries and
benefits, organisation, supervisors, colleagues, clients, products and services, networks and
other relevant aspects you can identify.
After this analysis, set up a career goal for yourself but keep it broad.
The Employability Tool Kit
3. Develop your competence

A life long learning is continually becoming a norm in todays job market. To gain competitive
advantage, an individual needs to find out ways to develop their professionalism. Keep an eye
on developments in your field and others including technology and start preparing in advance
for change. Learn to live in uncertainty and understand that competencies will be changing as
the time goes. Always remember that in addition to technical competence, other skills and
knowledge are also important. Successful completion of tasks requires a multi disciplinary
approach.
Age is no longer a determining factor in self improvement. There are different ways that an
individual can acquire knowledge regardless of age. Some get through thinking and
processing information received, some like working in groups and discussing while others opt
for writing things down and rereading. Sharing information, knowledge and experience is also
an important way to learn.
The Employability Tool Kit
3. Develop your competence

Ways to develop competence

• On the job learning and training
• Participating in new projects or working groups
• Attending courses, seminars and conferences
• Pursuing further studies (Masters or Doctoral)
• Studying for another complementary degree
• E-learning (studying by self)
• Web surfing on specific professional topics
• Writing articles
• Networking
• Expert groups
The Employability Tool Kit
Curriculum Vitae

When applying for positions in organisation, you may be required to submit a Curriculum
Vitae (CV). A CV should be clear and concise, complete and up to date with current
employment and educational information. The elements that are included in a CV depends
on the type of job that you are applying for. It is therefore good to ensure that the most
relevant information to support your candidacy is incorporated in the CV.
Information in a CV include;
• Personal details and contact information – this is mostly how you start a CV. Avoid
unnecessary details like religion, names of your children, etc.
• Education and qualifications – always include names of the institutions and dates when
the course was attended. This should be done in reverse order from the most recent.
• Work experience – this outlays your employment history. Chronological presentation is
the most accepted with your most recent job coming first.
• Skills – all skills should be included especially the ones that are relevant to the role
being applied for
The Employability Tool Kit
Curriculum Vitae

What not to include;

• Photos
• Salary history
• Reasons for leaving previous job

In other organisations, like in the US, they do not require references to appear on
the CV. They however should be listed separately and submitted upon request.

Requirements differ depending on organisations to which you are applying. In

other countries, private information like date of birth, nationality, marital status,
number of children and a photograph may be required
The Employability Tool Kit
Curriculum Vitae

Length of a CV
Ideally, a CV should be two to three pages long. However CVs for some
professionals may be longer especially in academia and medical research. Always
ensure that the content is clear, structured, concise and relevant. Bullet points,
rather than full sentences can assist in minimising word usage
The Employability Tool Kit
Cover letter

A cover letter is a tool that helps an individual introduce themselves in a job

application. A well written letter goes over information in the CV and expands it
for the reader guiding them through some of your great achievements. Always
plan the content of your letter based on the requirements of the role you are
applying for.
Your CV is intended to lay out the facts, but the cover letter needs to convey
personality. This is the first point of contact with a potential employer therefore it
needs to be memorable.
The format of the letter should match the organisation and industry you are
applying to. While there is no official format, your letter should be organised and
orderly in presenting its information.
A cover letter should have the following;
• Memorable introduction
• Specific organised examples of relevant work done and problems solved
The Employability Tool Kit
Cover letter - best practices

• Show how you can sole specific problems – explain the details of a particular
problem you were key in solving and how exactly you used your skill solve it. If
you know the company has a particular problem you could help to solve.
Outline how you can help them.
• Pick an appropriate tone and voice – researching the company will help dictate
the tone you can use in your letter. The tone of a letter to a legal firm should
be different from a letter to a school
• Tell your story – always compare your skills to the requirements of the position
in the job description. Describe how in your previous roles how you conducted
similar responsibilities with specific numbers where possible. Demonstrate your
skills and showcase how you are a fit to the position.
• Be honest – Dishonest isn’t in your best interest. Lies will come back to bite you
during the interview or on the job when you can’t be able to back up your
assertions.
The Employability Tool Kit
Cover letter - best practices

• Don’t be like everyone – Hiring managers read a lot of letters. Adding a little
variation will helps you stand out from the rest
• Finish with a call to action – end your letter with a reason for them to call you.
Suggest that you can offer more information and looking forward to talking
with them
• Proof your cover letter – always proof read what you have written. Have an
independent person go through your letter
• Tell a compelling story - Everyone loves a good story. Just be sure to
demonstrate proficiency with the skills, tools and concepts that are being
requested
How organisations use the employability toolkit

The employability toolkit allows organisations to do the following;

• Planning and preparation – an organisation will be able to plan according to the
type of individuals that are available on the job market. Different toolkits
submitted can allow organisations to plan on the type of positions they create
in their organisation.
• Recruitment and selection – A good toolkit will allow organisations to select the
best person for the job that they are recruiting on.
• Trainings – Depending on the toolkit you submit for employment, an
organisation can plan trainings that can enhance your capacity to successfully
allow you perform the required tasks.
• Career development – If you need other qualifications, the organisation can use
your toolkit as a standard to assist you in improving your qualifications to
better serve on a higher position.
Preparing for an interview

You have prepared your CV and submitted an application and now you have been
invited for an interview. There are some things you need to do to prepare for it to
create a good impression on your prospective employer/
• Dress well – what you wear to your interview is very crucial. Make sure it is
suitable, clean and fits. Ensure to put on appropriate accessories.
• Practice your communication skills – ensure to greet your interviewer with a
friendly smile and a firm handshake. If done right, it will set of the right energy.
• Study your CV and understand everything in it – anything that has been listed
in your CV can be questioned at the interview. Understand them and be able to
explain them
• Practice your answers to common questions – do your research and find out
common questions for the type of job you are applying for. There are also other
common questions that are asked in interview. While you should not memorise,
have a clear idea of what you will say.
Preparing for an interview

• Research the company and the position you are applying for – find out as much
information as you can about the company and the job you are applying for.
Write down questions you may have about either to be able to ask in the
interview. However, don’t ask questions for the sake of asking, they interviewer
usually sees through that.
• Find out the type of interview you will be attending – there are several types of
interviews including one on one, written, behavioural or group. Ensure that you
understand the type of interview you are going to so that you prepare
accordingly.
• Know your interview place – make sure you know exactly where an interview
will be conducted before hand. Arrive at the place beforehand to get settled. If
you are delayed, ensure to let the interviewer know beforehand.
These tips will assist in successfully preparing for a job interview.
 Conclusion

Different professions and positions will have different set up of toolkits and
outlines. It is up to an individual to tailor their employability toolkit to the type of
job the are applying for. To prepare your employability toolkit, you need;
• Know your skills and competencies and develop on them
• Know your career path and align yourself to the requirements
• Prepare action plans and back up plans for obtaining and maintaining your
skills.
• Understand what employers are looking for when applying for employment
• Upgrade yourself where requires to remain relevant
• Prepare well for your interview
References:

 Employability Tool Kit, European Federation of National Engineering Association, available at:
http://www.feani.org/site/index.php?id=222 , http://www.feani.org/site/index.php?id=155 ,
http://www.feani.org/site/index.php?id=156, http://www.feani.org/site/index.php?id=157
 Employability Skills, University of Kent, available at: https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm
 Hind, D. and Moss, S. (2011) Employability Skills. 2nd Edition. Sunderland, Business Education
Publishers.
 Ingbretsen R., (2013), Build up your Employability Tool Kit, Word Press, August 29, available at:
https://ingbretsen.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/employability-tool-kit.pdf
 Lees, J. (2012) How to find the right job for you. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/careers/how-to-find-right-job-for-you (Accessed: 4 September 2016).
 Overtoom, Ch., (2000), Employability Skills: An Update. ERIC Digest No. 220., Eric Digests, October,
available at: https://www.ericdigests.org/2001-2/skills.html
 Professional Etiquette How to dress for success, available at:
https://www.sbu.edu/docs/default-source/life-at-sbu-documents/professional-wardrobe-nbsp-.pdf?sfvrs
n=0