Cox

While academic qualifications are important requirements that employers look for in choosing workers, these are not the only ones they seek.

There is another set of skills that employers deem to be just as important as CXC and CAPE examination passes. Known as soft skills, or employability skills, these skills can be described as the attitudes and behaviours that employers look for in all employees, whether they are new recruits, or current employees.

In studies conducted with employers, they assign employability skills higher priority than job specific technical skills. These critical aptitudes can be divided into ten broad areas. They are:

Personal and career development skills. These include being able to encourage one's self when necessary and develop one's talents and abilities.

Personal and professional management skills. These include being able to work effectively under pressure; manage time and stress effectively; take the initiative in job-related duties; and arrive on time for work.

Human relations and interpersonal skills. These include being able to delegate tasks and responsibilities; understand the feelings of others; and demonstrate effective social behaviour in a variety of settings and under different circumstances.

Work habits. These skills include being flexible and receptive to changing technologies, processes, organisational structures and other workplace factors; working cooperatively with peers; and prioritising and scheduling tasks well and carrying them out in an appropriate, logical sequence.

Planning and organisation skills. These skills include being able to follow up with and evaluate one's progress on set tasks; motivate others on group projects; and give constructive feedback.

Oral and written communica-tion skills. These include being able to organise and present ideas effectively, participate effectively in group discussions as well as listening and communicating actively and politely with customers, supervisors and peers.

Decision-making supervisory management and/or leadership skills. These include being able to understand the steps involved with effective decision making.

Critical thinking, problem solving and conflict resolution. These include being able to anticipate problems before they occur and finding solutions.

Teamwork and team-building skills. These include being able to motivate team members towards common goals and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of members.

Ethics and tolerance skills. These include being able to define and explain ethical behaviour and appreciate and respect diversity.

Employers tend to discharge or fail to promote most employees because of inadequate employability skills.The good news is that while some employability skills come naturally to some people, overall, these are skills that can be learned over time through experience. They are the skills you must hone if you want to improve your chance for career success.

Kareen Cox is coordinator of the career resources department within the HEART Trust/NTA. Email: kareen_cox@heart-nta.org.

Top employability skills

Human relations and interpersonal relationship skills

Oral and written communication skills.

Decision-making supervisory management and/or leadership skills.

Critical thinking, problem solving and conflict resolution.

Teamwork and team-building skills.

Ethics and tolerance skills