Summing Up Section 12.3: Professional Skills

Taking Charge: Chapter 12

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GoalsSet your professional goals

Where do you want to be in 5 years?Set goals in measurable unitsEvaluate goals and milestones periodically

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Time ManagementDon’t be a jack of all tradesFirst things firstDo something—anythingI’m so confusedWork smarter, not harderAvoid the tyranny of the urgent

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Finances and SafetyMake the most of your salary

Budgetingsaving

On-the-job safety is importantBe awarePPE

HardhatsEyewearEar protectionGlovesProtective footwear

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Critical Thinking at WorkIntuition vs. Critical Thinking

Know the difference between fact and fictionVerify the source of your informationCheck your source for accuracyAsk questionsDon’t let your ego get in the way of logical thinking

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NetworkingMeet people in your field of interestLearn about job or internship openingsUnderstand trends in the fieldPolish communication and presentation

fieldsProve your future career really matters

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DocumentationWriting in your profession

Business and management meetingsProject documentationRecognition through publicationProfessional blogging

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Exams in the WorkplaceOn-the-job training and employee reviewsEthical tests

Speak upEscalate the issueMake a formal complaintSeek independent counsel

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Communication Verbal

Group and team environmentsCustomer servicePresentation skills

Consider your audienceDon’t speak techno-lingoUse good listening skillsRespond to the customer’s statementsRemember common courtesy

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Communication (cont.)Written communication

Resumes and cover lettersBusiness plansEmployee reviews

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DiversityEvery worker has the right to a non-hostile

environmentHarassmentIf harassment arises:

DocumentBegin your ladder of escalationFile a formal complaint with your human resources

departmentContact your state’s workforce agencyConsult a law attorneyFile a claim with the EEOC

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Avoiding Discrimination and IntoleranceWatch your wordsRespect other people’s personal spaceCensor your e-mails and keep private mail

off your company computer

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Further ReflectionWhat have you learned in this chapter that

you previously did not know?What information do you plan to implement

into your professional life?How can you ensure success in your

career?

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