Sponsored byJob Readiness Program

JOB READINESS PROGRAM

MEETING EMPLOYERS’ EXPECTATIONS: “KNOWING WHAT EMPLOYERS

REALLY WANT"

Seminar Section 1 Objective The purpose of this section is to: Identify the skills, qualities and

characteristics employers look for in job candidates

Discuss the various types of skills Identify and evaluate your skills

A two-year study of businesses found that employers wanted their workers to have seven common characteristics:

1. SOMEONE WHO CAN LEARN TO DO THE JOB

Ask yourself: what helps you learn things quickly?

Remember, everyone learns differently

Identify actions you can take that will help make you a better learner

Ask yourself if you should take notes the first day of my new job

2. SOMEONE WHO HAS READING, WRITING, AND MATH SKILLS Do you have

reading, writing, and math skills?

Do you need to improve these skills?

What action can you take?

3. SOMEONE WHO HAS COMMUNICATION SKILLS The average person

spends…

○ 55% of their communications time listening

○ 23%-speaking ○ 13.3%-reading ○ 8.4%-writing.

Are you a good listener?

4. SOMEONE WHO CAN PROBLEM-SOLVE

Employers look for adaptable workers who can think on their feet and solve problems quickly

It is important to be able to respond to new opportunities at work

5. SOMEONE WHO CAN MANAGE THEMSELVES AND HIS OR HER JOB

Employers look for workers who care about themselves, their job, their employers’ goals, and their future

Also, it is important to be able to make good life/work choices

6. SOMEONE WHO CAN WORK WELL WITH OTHERS Employees need

to be able to work things out with others when conflict arises

7. SOMEONE WHO CAN UNDERSTAND THE ORGANIZATION

Sometimes it is hard to understand and influence where the organization is, where it is going, and how it is going to get there

How Do You Measure Up as an Employee?

Now that you know what employers want, where do you need to improve?

Can you work on some of these things?

Skills Self- AssessmentHire Me

Learning Task

TEAMWORK

Teams are an…

What We Know About Teams… • Each worker must do his/her share of

the work in order for the team to be successful

• We are greater collectively than individually

• All of our decisions will be better when some degree of collaboration is applied

How Do Employees Benefit From Teamwork?

• Enhanced creativity and motivation • Trusting relationships • Increased efficiency and less duplication • Better solutions to challenges • Shared knowledge throughout the organization• Reduced costs • Improved quality of services • Increased employee involvement • Reduced conflict • Enhanced creativity • Better adaptability and flexibility in the

organization

“SUCCESS THAT LASTS”

ADVANCING ON THE JOB:

Section Objective

The purpose of this module is to: Identify methods to achieve job success Avoid the pitfalls of absenteeism Understand company protocol Provide tips and techniques for job success Retention and advancement

HOW TO ADVANCE ON YOUR JOB

• Always dress and groom for your next promotion

• Seek out additional assignments and responsibilities

• Arrive early and stay late if possible

• Maintain a positive attitude

• Don’t be a “know-it-all” • Have a sense of humor

FOLLOW THE RULES:

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE COMPANY

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

INCLUDING PERSONAL CALLS AND

CELL PHONE USAGE

HOW TO ADVANCE ON YOUR JOB

• Be a big picture visionary thinker See beyond your current role/position

• Find a mentor • Set clear personal and professional career goals • Ask for advice in getting a pay increase or a

promotion • Work on any weaknesses

Long-term Goals and Strategies:

Common Reasons People Are Fired

• Dishonest: lied or stole things • Unreliable: were excessively tardy or

absent • Unable to get along with supervisor or

co workers • Used work time for personal business • Worked too slow or made too many

mistakes • Unable to perform job functions or

failed to meet expectations

Common Reasons People Are Fired

• Abused alcohol or drugs • Did not follow safety rules • Misrepresented skills,

experience, or training• Dressed inappropriately;

had poor grooming • Refused to do the work

.Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

Do Be Careful What You Tweet

Be really careful what you tweet. You don't know who might read it.

Don't Spend Time Online on Your Boss's Dime

Many people review and post on social media sites from work, but given the way companies monitor employees it's not wise especially with your activity being timed stamped!

The Right Way to Leave a Job

• Don’t react; think before you quit

• Clearly define why you are unhappy

• Carefully consider your options before deciding to leave Seek external

employment opportunities

Explore internal (lateral) positions

DISCUSSION & QUESTIONSLearning

TaskLearning

Task