Word On Work - WEEK 8
SELF MANAGEMENT
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
Let's discuss what you learnt from the movie The pursuit of Happiness last week.....
Questions - I want you to write down what is your greatest character trait? What is your most challenging character trait?
How do we go about managing those two sides of ourselves?
Questions - I want you to write down what is your greatest character trait? What is your most challenging character trait?
How do we go about managing those two sides of ourselves?
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. It is generally said to include three skills: emotional awareness; the ability to harness emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes regulating your own emotions and cheering up or calming down other people.How Does it Support Self Management?
Are you able to work effectively in a team? That’s the skill employers most want when they are recruiting their new recruits. The next most important skill: ability to make decisions and solve problems.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) a non-profit group that links college career placement offices with employers, ran a survey from early August to mid-September where it asked hiring managers what skills they prioritise when they hire college grads. Though the survey sample is small—NACE collected responses from just 200 employers—the wisdom is sound. New and recent grads should pay attention.
Despite all the emphasis in the news about the need for computer software and programming skills, the most important qualities employers seek are basic teamwork, problem-solving and the ability to plan and prioritise.
Here are the 10 skills employers say they seek, in order of importance:
1. Ability to work in a team
2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
3. Ability to plan, organise and prioritise work
4. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organisation
5. Ability to obtain and process information
6. Ability to analyse quantitative data
7. Technical knowledge related to the job
8. Proficiency with computer software programs
9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports
10. Ability to sell and influence others
The good news for graduating students: No matter what you have studied in school, whether Construction, Psychology or IPP, you will have had to learn the top five skills on the list. The trick is to demonstrate that you have those skills through your cover letter, résumé and interview. Think about class projects where you have been a team member or leader and jobs where you have had to plan and prioritise. Describe those skills specifically in your résumé and cover letter.
For instance if you staffed a canteen, say you worked on a team of five people and handled food orders. Or if you worked in the library, include the size of the staff and that you handled requests from 50 students a day at the circulation desk. Even being a peer mentor, or being a part of the School organising Committee can involve team work, decision-making and planning. Make sure you spell out those responsibilities briefly but specifically. Say you worked with a group of 15 peers, discussing and advising Governing Council on issues regarding the student body.
The survey makes clear that employers want universal skills you can learn across academic disciplines and in any job where you are working with others. The trick is to communicate clearly that you have those skills.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) a non-profit group that links college career placement offices with employers, ran a survey from early August to mid-September where it asked hiring managers what skills they prioritise when they hire college grads. Though the survey sample is small—NACE collected responses from just 200 employers—the wisdom is sound. New and recent grads should pay attention.
Despite all the emphasis in the news about the need for computer software and programming skills, the most important qualities employers seek are basic teamwork, problem-solving and the ability to plan and prioritise.
Here are the 10 skills employers say they seek, in order of importance:
1. Ability to work in a team
2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
3. Ability to plan, organise and prioritise work
4. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organisation
5. Ability to obtain and process information
6. Ability to analyse quantitative data
7. Technical knowledge related to the job
8. Proficiency with computer software programs
9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports
10. Ability to sell and influence others
The good news for graduating students: No matter what you have studied in school, whether Construction, Psychology or IPP, you will have had to learn the top five skills on the list. The trick is to demonstrate that you have those skills through your cover letter, résumé and interview. Think about class projects where you have been a team member or leader and jobs where you have had to plan and prioritise. Describe those skills specifically in your résumé and cover letter.
For instance if you staffed a canteen, say you worked on a team of five people and handled food orders. Or if you worked in the library, include the size of the staff and that you handled requests from 50 students a day at the circulation desk. Even being a peer mentor, or being a part of the School organising Committee can involve team work, decision-making and planning. Make sure you spell out those responsibilities briefly but specifically. Say you worked with a group of 15 peers, discussing and advising Governing Council on issues regarding the student body.
The survey makes clear that employers want universal skills you can learn across academic disciplines and in any job where you are working with others. The trick is to communicate clearly that you have those skills.
BUBBLE TOWER
Remember: "The More Reflective We Are, The More Effective We Are!"
RESUME TOOLS (IN CASE YOU HAVE MISSED THEM!)
Cover Letter
FURTHER RESOURCES |
One of the greatest tools for your career toolkit is a well written Resume. Please write your resume based on the job advertisement you found for a job you could apply for now. Use the word document or click the YOUR RESUME BUILDER button and watch it built magically before your very eyes!
Here are the guides of how to use those Career Match Profiles to help you improve your resume.
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TO THINK ABOUT (AND FOCUS ON) THIS WEEK
Look at a game plan to utilise our strengths more this week and reflect on your character traits and how you can gain evidence of them in a group setting. Make sure you are getting those work Experience emails out there!