Employability Skills

1. EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
(Myth) Once a career is chosen, then the person is
stuck with it.
Skills, Attitude, and Qualities
to Get and Keep a Job.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5.  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

6. What are employability skills?
 Knowledge in a specific career.
 Examples:
An electrician knows wiring
An auto mechanic knows engine repair

7. 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.

8.  4. Critical Thinking - Shows you know how to
be objective and think logically
 5. Communicating Effectively - Shows you
know how to work with others.

9. 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.

10.  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.

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Plans change over time
 Goals and/or resources can change
so remain flexible and be ready to
implement your plan “B.”

18. Trade Offs
 Giving up one thing to get something
else
 Focus on things that are most
important
 Create your own opportunities