01/1. Prepare for your job search

Transcription

1 01/1

2 01/2 Module 01: Prepare for your job search Identify your skills

3 01/3 introduction technical personal transferrable marketable Find out what sets you apart from other candidates - the unique abilities, skills, and experience you have to offer an employer. One of the most important things you can do before looking for work is to take the time to identify what skills and abilities you already have, and how you can best communicate them to employers.

4 01/4 Introduction: Types of skills Technical: are the specialized skills and knowledge required to perform specific duties, sometimes referred to as occupational or work skills Transferable: are the skills required to perform a variety of tasks. They are your greatest asset as they can be transferred from one area of work to another Personal: are the individual attributes you have such as personality and work habits. These often describe what you are like and how you would naturally go about doing things

5 01/5 Technical Skills Are: The abilities and knowledge needed to perform specific tasks Specific to an occupation or industry Obtained through on-the-job training, education and/or work experience

6 01/6 Technical Skills TO DO WORKSHEET Examples: A warehouse worker has to be certified to operate a forklift A bookkeeper must be able to perform full cycle day-to-day payroll, accounts payable/receivable accounting functions a car mechanic uses a variety of technical tools to diagnose and repair mechanical problems a software developer uses computer-based tools and technologies to deliver software Self-Assessment Technical Skills Note: Computer-based skills are sometimes referred to as technical skills. But there is a difference - Computer skills are just a type of technical skills.

7 01/7 Personal Skills Are: Techniques and personal qualities you use every day to manage your life Not hard (or technical) skills, they are instead the soft (qualities or attitudes) skills that a person demonstrates Required to successfully interact with co-workers, managers, and others in the workplace

8 01/8 Personal Skills TO DO WORKSHEET Personal Skills Assessment Examples: Employers want someone who is dependable, reliable and responsible Many jobs require employees to juggle multiple tasks at the same time Employees with good communication (interpersonal) skills are likely to work well in teams

9 01/9 Transferable Skills Are: Talents and abilities you have developed over time through a variety of work-related and personal activities Transferrable from one situation to another, or one job to another Used in a wide array of work settings and the skills all employers look for in a potential hire Especially important if you are applying for that first job or changing careers

10 01/10 Transferable Skills Examples: Work effectively in a group or team Manage and prioritize workload and time efficiently Listen effectively Communicate clear and concisely TO DO WORKSHEET Self-Assessment Transferable Skills

11 01/11 Marketable Skills Determining your most marketable skills is an important step in the job search cycle Many people have difficulty identifying the skills they possess, and as a result, may not be able to market these skills effectively to prospective employers Your marketable skills will set you apart from other candidates! Employers are more likely to hire candidates that can demonstrate that they have the skills required, rather than those that do not Select your top skills in each category (Transferable, Personal and Technical) and then ensure that they are marketable in the industry in which you are seeking work

12 01/12 Marketable Skills Skills Statements Often an employer wants to know how you have applied specific skills in a previous position. This makes it easier for an employer to understand how you might apply the same skills in their workplace. A skill statement shows when, where and how a skill was used in the past. Choose one your skills from each of the categories and write out a skill statement for each. Ensure that you include when, where and how you have used the skill in the past. TO DO WORKSHEET Self-Assessment Marketable Skills Skills Statements Example: I have strong customer service skills. For example in my last position as a sales assistant at Purdy s, I always greeted the customers, asked what type of product they were looking for and ensured that they received prompt and polite service.

13 01/13 Additional resources and worksheets Resources: There are no additional resources associated with this module Worksheets: Technical Skills Personal Skills Transferable Skills Marketable Skills Skills Statements Please proceed to Module 02: Build your toolkit