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Soft Skills to Learn Before Entering into the Workforce
Unfortunately, job candidates' soft skills have gotten worse in the past five years. The industry demand for soft skills has caused a severe soft skills gap between what is being taught in high schools and what industry demands.
What do you need to brush up on?! Now is the perfect time to sharpen your skills to close gap making yourself more marketable. Your goal is to be as career-ready as you can by acquiring the soft skills necessary to become successful employees...and leaders tomorrow...and better people today! information resource here
Hard skills are what you DO. Soft skills are HOW YOU DO IT! a few points to prepare yourself... ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION ARE "SOFT SKILLS"
One of the most common methods of communication in today's hiring process is email, and managers are constantly shocked at applicants' inability to communicate effectively in writing. Many common sense soft skills, such as making eye contact, refraining from looking at a cell phone, and the ability to communicate and compose thoughtful answers to questions, are lacking and can cost a candidate a job offer. "This mode of communication is vital to so many parts of the workforce, yet I see a lack of email etiquette and basic grammar and spelling skills leading to many misunderstandings and misinterpretations." - Jan Riggin resume writing, interview etiquette and other workforce skills
Students should invest in learning the basics of how to find a job. Candidates without soft skills are often passed over for a position they are qualified for on paper, but still have work to do on their presentation in the hiring process. "Of the last eight interviews I have done, only one person has followed up with an email or phone call to thank me or express interest in the job. I know they are interested because they tell us a friend in the office referred them, but they have never been taught basic interview skills." - Daniel Morgan, franchise owner. Set realistic expectations for first jobs after graduation
Schools often give the impression that when you graduate, you will be entering into a managerial or high-level role upon entrance into the workforce, and this is not always the case. Your teachers may encourage you to go after that dream career, but you have to understand that all dreams take work to acquire. You have to take responsibility for your own success! "School is important for that and will definitely help you gain an understanding of some of the concepts needed, but companies require experience for those more advanced positions." - Todd Issacson, franchise owner learn to "disconnect" from electronic devices
While younger generations can often multi-task, hiring managers are actually looking for the person who can best focus on the situation at hand, starting with the interview. Technology is important, but it shouldn't take the place of traditional interaction. Learn basic personal finance
To go along with teaching students realistic expectations about first jobs, schools need to prepare students for the realities of cost of living expenses and managing unexpected expenses. "I often feel that a lack of 'life skills' leads to many other issues preventing workers from being successful in their careers and in life," Riggins said. "Understanding budgeting, planning, car maintenance, health insurance, taxes, etc., can help in so many ways, including how to successfully manage and keep a job." Develop proficiency in basic business economics
Workers need to know where their contributions fit into the overall vision and operation of the company and how their actions directly affect the bottom line. "Schools don't teach students how companies need to make money in order to pay their workers more money," Morgan said. "Basic economic skills are lacking." collaboration and problem solving through real-world applications
Just as important as knowing their contributions are valued at businesses, however, is teaching students that companies thrive on collaborative efforts. And that teamwork is something Jill Loveless, Express franchise owner in Tigard, Oregon, notices workers are often missing. "Many have a solid customer service disposition, but finding someone who can problem solve and troubleshoot different situations with various people and departments can be difficult," she said. technical education offerings
Four-year colleges aren't the only avenue to career success, and with a growing shortage of skilled workers, schools can better educate students on the benefits of attending a career and technical education institute instead. "We need more of a balance in education to match learning to actual career options," said Janis Petrini, Express franchise owner, Grand Rapids, Michigan. "This means more skilled trades and technical programs to give students the actual skills they will need for the jobs of the future." MAKE LIFELONG LEARNING AN EXPECTATION
It's rare for graduates to land their dream job at the top of the career ladder immediately upon graduation. They should understand that constantly learning new skills and enlisting the help of a mentor will get them there a lot faster. "Students should not get discouraged if after graduation, they find they still need to gain some more experience," Isaacson said. "It is not that companies don't want their skills and ideas; it is that they need more real-world situations before they are truly ready for some of those higher-level roles." information resource here
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RESOURCESTop Soft Skills Employers Want:
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UA Little Rock Children International - Career Crash Course
hosted by Susanna Creed, College & Career Program Specialist
hosted by Susanna Creed, College & Career Program Specialist
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Types of Employees
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Creating a Successful Resume
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Choosing a Career
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Workplace Communication
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Interview Tips & Tricks
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Budgeting
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University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Children International
2510 Fair Park Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: 501-663-5541 | Email: [email protected] | http://ualr.edu/children
2510 Fair Park Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: 501-663-5541 | Email: [email protected] | http://ualr.edu/children
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Think you need a little one-on-one coaching? Try
A B Consulting! |
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“The skills gap-which involves both ‘hard skills’ and ‘soft skills’-is a call to action for all of us. If we fail to act, and if schools fail to adapt, we will leave a whole generation ill-prepared to reach their full potential.”
- Express CEO, Bill Stoller |
