Employability Skills Study Guide

You should be proud of the good grades you get in school. But although getting good grades is important, that’s not all you need to be successful in your career. Each career has its own distinct skill set. Also, your skills in working with others and your personal work habits are just as important to a future employer as your academic ability is.

Successful people have good “team skills.” If you have team skills, you understand the importance of working cooperatively with others and contributing ideas, suggestions and efforts to complete a task.

Successful people also have good attitudes and positive work habits, such as coming to work on time, being organized, and using time wisely. These are good habits to have as a student, a family member and a member of the workforce.

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT?

Employers look for their prospective employees to possess the following:

  • Math, reading and technology skills.
  • Willing and able to learn.
  • Able to work cooperatively with others.
  • Be punctual, dependable and hard-working.

WORKING IN GROUPS

Listed below are several reasons for needing to be able to work in a group.

  • Some projects are large and require large groups to work together.
  • When efforts come from many people, the result is even greater because of skills and talents performed.
  • Different people looking at the same problem may find different solutions.
  • There are more people to share the responsibilities.

TEAMWORK SKILLS

Skill – is the ability to do something well, usually gained through experience and training.

These skills are important in the workplace.

  • Goalsetting
  • Listening
  • communication

Problem Solving

Step 1 – Identify the problem.

Step 2 – Negotiate. Ask for solutions. Discuss them calmly.

Step 3 – Decide on a solution.

ACADEMIC SKILLS

The classes that you excel in at school are a good indication of what your course of study might be during high and school and eventually into the workplace or college. Pay attention to what classes you do the best in and work on the classes that you perform poorly in. This will help you to be a well rounded student.

Skills

  • math
  • reading
  • use of technology (computers, typing, Microsoft Office Suite, other software programs)

WORK HABITS

Good work habits will help you be successful in school, work and relationships.

  • Punctual
  • Prepared
  • Keep work area clean
  • Organized
  • Follow directions
  • Cooperate with others
  • Manage your time well
  • Obey the rules
  • Positive attitude

ETHICAL BEHAVIOR

  • Honest
  • Fair in dealings with others
  • Show respect to other people
  • Don’t complain
  • Trustworthy
  • Don’t steal
  • Don’t take credit for someone else’s work

ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS

  • Say please and thank you
  • Say I’m sorry
  • Hold the door open for someone whose hands are full
  • Write thank you notes
  • Don’t point at people
  • If you knock something over, pick it up
  • Don’t touch someone else’s belongings without asking first
  • Don’t chew gum with your mouth open or talk with your mouth full
  • If you bump into someone, say “Excuse me.”

In social situations…

  • Make introductions when there are new people in your group.
  • Always look at the speaker. Don’t fidget or look around the room or check your cell phone for text messages. Wait until the speaker is finished before making comments or conversation.
  • When leaving a party, always seek out the host and say thank you.