Career Advice

Utilizing Non-Degree Skills for Temporary or Permanent Employment

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We all have an innate set of skills that develop as we go through life. They develop as we grow and learn, and have a lot to do with how we are brought up and raised. Skills such as communication, organization, and professionalism, are very underdeveloped but with experience become stronger. Whether a degree is in your future or not, these skills are housed somewhere within you; that’s not to say that experience from college or university won’t strengthen them. Knowing how to correctly use these fundamental skills will be an advantage when looking for temporary or permanent employment.

Communication

When looking for employment, effective communication is a key ingredient to landing the job. In fact, employers who took part in a job survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers placed communication skills at the top of desired skills among future employees. As a prospective candidate, effective communication with employers is necessary – employers are interested in those who can speak, listen and write, in addition, to think and communicate above their job title.

Whether a degree is in your future or not, these skills are housed somewhere within you; that’s not to say that experience from college or university won’t strengthen them. Knowing how to correctly use these fundamental skills will be your advantage.Click To Tweet

Communication is considered a “soft skill,” which means that it’s a skill employers desire regardless of the type of job or your knowledge. With experience, we are able to strengthen our communication skills as we interact with different types of people; when it comes to employment, how we are communicating with future employers needs to be perfect if we desire a seat at that new desk.

Organization

We all know people who are sloppy, unorganized, and never have a plan – and sometimes in their personal lives that works for them; however, it often transfers over to your career. Some people can separate the two, but employers really want someone who can think logically, and in an orderly fashion. Organizational is a skill some people really have to work at, for others, it comes naturally, or outsiders see it as OCD.

For those who have some problems with organization, it can be developed in a way that can benefit you. Any employer wants to see prospective candidates as put together, with their own organization method. This comes especially handy when in a job where you’re multi-tasking – being able to differentiate different projects to items you are working on is absolutely necessary, especially in a busy work setting.

Professionalism

Professionalism is another natural skill we possess that only continues to develop as we go through life. Professionalism encompasses two different areas – appearance and behavior. I don’t know anyone that would attend an interview dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with their hair looking like they just rolled out of bed. In this society, that’s not even considered an option when it comes to finding temporary or permanent employment.  Sometimes, the job you are applying for has a very casual and laid-back attitude, but making yourself look professional for the interview, and even if you land the job is vital, at least until otherwise noted by your superiors. Secondly, professional behavior is a crucial skill when it comes to finding employment.

Respect, politeness, punctuality, and being well-spoken are all very important. There are many factors within professional behavior, and being aware of your actions and manners when in a professional setting will be to your benefit.

In order to gain employment knowing how to utilize these skills will be to your advantage. Good luck in your search!

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