What do employers look for in potential employees? That was the question that was posted recently on a career discussion forum online. Naturally, for each different position, the particular answers to that question would be different. However, there are some common skills that employers look for in all employees, whether the employee happens to be a network engineer or a fry cook.
The Role of Soft Skills in Career Success
In-Demand Skills for Success
1. BASIC SKILLS
Reading, writing and arithmetic! Believe it or not, a good portion of high school graduates (and some college grads) do not read at an 8th grade level and cannot do multiplication in their head.
Employers are seeking employees who can read well, can write coherently, and who can calculate mathematics in a business environment (fractions, percentages, etc.)
Add to that the modern basic skills of keyboarding skill, basic computer knowledge, and ability to use most computerized tools (e.g. fax machine, basic word processing program, etc.) to round out the basic skill sets needed for employment success.
2. PERSONAL SKILLS
It Can a potential employee speak well? Can he/she answer questions of customers in a positive, informative manner?
Can the prospect provide good customer service?
While not everyone has an outgoing sales’ personality, successful employees can communicate in a non-confrontational, positive manner with their coworkers, team members, subordinates, management, and customers.
Being able to work well with others is a vital skill for success in all jobs.
3. JOB ATTAINMENT
Job search is a process that requires a great deal of dedication and attention to be conducted successfully.
It follows the old principal that many veteran programmers refer to as GIGO ‚ Garbage In, Garbage Out.
If you put lousy effort in, you will receive lousy results. Employers are seeking employees who know how to present themselves in a positive manner and who display enthusiasm and knowledge about the companies they approach.
Not only do candidates get evaluated on their skills and experience, but also on how they are approaching the job search.
Enthusiastic candidates with fewer skills have an even chance of getting the job as dull candidates with better skills.
4. JOB SURVIVAL
Now there’s a hot topic in this period of layoffs. Who gets the ax and who doesn’t is often a matter of numbers, but it is also often a matter of performance.
Employees who have consistently demonstrated their worth, taken initiative, and made themselves a valuable asset to the company have lower incidences of being downsized than employees who put forth mediocre or average effort in their jobs.
Surviving within a company through layoffs or moving up the career ladder is a success skill that is learned and is consciously cultivated among successful professionals.
5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
As all high tech and engineering pros know‚ it’s learn or burn in today’s work environment.
Attaining new skills, applying new concepts, updating established skills is an absolute necessity to succeed in today’s work force.
The successful individual is constantly attending seminars, taking classes, attaining training on new products or releases, and otherwise learning new skills that will keep them marketable in their careers.
Successful people are lifelong learners. Employers are looking for people who have the training necessary to fulfill their needs.
6. CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Career Development differs from Professional Development. Professional Development is learning while Career Development is a planning and goal setting process.
Successful individuals design a career plan with written goals for short term and long term.
They lay out the steps needed to move their careers from Point A to Point B within Time Frame C and plan how they are going to achieve those steps.
Successful people have someone to whom they are accountable for their progress and who will monitor their success in achieving their goals. Employers are seeking individuals who (believe it or not) wish to commit to the company for a long period of time.
Good career progression is a high selling point of candidates to prospective employers.
How do you measure up? Do you have the 6 In-Demand Skills for Success?
Based on the provided search results, here are some key takeaways and tips for achieving career success:
Defining Success
- Define career success for yourself, rather than relying on external definitions or expectations.
- Identify what success means to you, and prioritize your own goals and values.
Taking Risks
- Be willing to take calculated risks to achieve your career goals.
- Step outside your comfort zone and try new things.
- Don’t be afraid to fail, as failure can be a valuable learning experience.
Goal-Setting
- Prioritize goals and focus on achieving them.
- Set both short-term and long-term goals, and track progress.
- Celebrate small victories along the way to stay motivated.
Self-Awareness
- Recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and use this self-awareness to improve.
- Advocate for yourself and your worth in the workplace.
- Continuously learn and develop new skills to stay competitive.
Networking
- Surround yourself with fulfilled and successful people who can offer guidance and support.
- Build a strong professional network that can help you achieve your goals.
- Seek out mentors and role models who can provide valuable insights and advice.
Mindset
- Cultivate a growth mindset, focusing on progress rather than perfection.
- Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations to stay motivated.
- Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth.
Actionable Steps
- Seek out new challenges and opportunities for growth.
- Prioritize continuous learning and skill development.
- Focus on the process, rather than just the outcome, to stay engaged and motivated.
Additional Tips
- Don’t get complacent – push yourself to continue growing and improving.
- Practice self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Stay adaptable and open to change, as it can often lead to new opportunities.
Remember, career success is a personal and ongoing journey. By incorporating these tips and principles into your approach, you can set yourself up for long-term success and fulfillment.
Related
Related Posts:
- 300 Best Mother’s Day Quotes About Moms - Meaningful Happy Mother Day 2022
- 265 MAGICAL Good Night Messages, Wishes, Quotes, Greetings
- 100 Broken Heart Quotes And Heartbroken Sayings
- 240 Heart Touching Birthday Wishes for Brother - Happy Birthday Brother
- 300 Good Luck Wishes and Quotes - All The Best Images Best Messages
- Top 55 Hilarious Funny Memes Of All Time