WHAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR

1. First and foremost, can you do the job?

2. Are you going to be reasonably easy to work with?
3. Will you be satisfied with the job or will you be looking
to leave within six months?
4. Are you reasonably likeable?
5. Do you seem like you can put up with whatever the
negatives of the job are?
6. Will you fit in with the company culture?
7. Do you have a strong work ethic?
8. How enthusiastic are you about the job?
 CAN YOU DO THE JOB?

HARD SKILLS EXAMPLES

• Technical or • Associate of Science
Academically oriented degree
• Easy to define • Able to type 50 wpm
• Measurable by tests • Certified welder
• CDL license holder
• Directly taught in
schools • High school graduate
• 10 years of clerical
experience
 EVERYTHING ELSE…

• SOFT SKILLS…
• The ability to communicate and interact positively and
productively with others
• Develop as we age
• Not directly taught in school
• Relates to our attitude and outlook on life
• Difficult to explain, but we easily recognize them
 EXAMPLES OF SOFT SKILLS

• Good Listener
• Effective communication skills
• Dependable
• Neat
• Friendly
• Organized
• Prompt
• Fair
• Hard worker
 TOP 6 SOFT SKILLS

• Communication
• Enthusiasm & Attitude
• Teamwork
• Networking
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
• Professionalism
 SOFT SKILL #1: COMMUNICATION

• Verbal • Written
• Interpersonal • Email
• Public speaking • Text messages
• Telephone etiquette • Letters/Reports
• Listening comprehension

• Non-verbal • Visual
• Facial expressions • Dress
• Body language • Personal hygiene
• Posture
 SOFT SKILL #2: ENTHUSIASM &
ATTITUDE
• All other things being equal, a candidate who can
demonstrate a positive attitude and eagerness to
tackle the job will have an advantage over one
who displays an attitude viewed by the
employer as negative or disinterested. In fact,
many employers would rather provide job skills
training to an enthusiastic but inexperienced
worker than hire someone with perfect
qualifications but a less-than-positive attitude.
DISPLAYING ENTHUSIASM
AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE
 IN A JOB INTERVIEW

• Smile
• Sit up straight
• Make eye contact…
but don’t stare, it’s
disturbing
• Discuss training and
work experiences in
an upbeat manner
 SOFT SKILL #3: TEAMWORK

• Teamwork involves building relationships and working

with other people using a number of important skills
and habits:
• Working cooperatively
• Contributing to groups with ideas, suggestions, and effort
• Communication (both giving and receiving)
• Sense of responsibility
• Healthy respect for different opinions, customs, and individual
preferences
• Ability to participate in group decision-making
SOFT SKILL #4:
NETWORKING

“It’s not what you

know, it’s who you
know”

80% of available jobs are not advertised.

 EVERYONE HAS A NETWORK
• WHAT/WHEN/WHERE:
Networking occurs every time
you participate in a school or
social event, volunteer in the
community, visit with
members of your religious
group, talk with neighbors,
strike up a conversation with
someone at the store, or
connect with friends online.
• WHY: To get those 80% of
opportunities that are never
posted online.
• WHO: People with whom you
interact regularly.
• Family/Friends, Parents' Friends/
Friend’s Parents, Friends of
Friends, Neighbors, Teachers,
Church Members
• HOW: When networking for
the purpose of career
development, this means
talking with friends, family
members, and acquaintances
about your goals, your
interests, and your dreams.
SOFT SKILL #5: PROBLEM SOLVING &
CRITICAL THINKING
• There is no shortage of
challenges and issues that
can arise on the job.

• Whether these problems are

large or small, they need to
be dealt with constructively
and fairly.

• Having the necessary skills

to identify solutions to
problems is one of the skills
that employers look for in
employees.
 SIMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING

PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Identify and Select the 1. Ask a Question
Problem 2. Do Background Research
2. Analyze the Problem 3. Construct a Hypothesis
3. Generate Potential Solutions 4. Test Your Hypothesis by
4. Select and Plan the Solution Doing an Experiment
5. Implement the Solution 5. Analyze Your Data and
6. Evaluate the Solution Draw a Conclusion
6. Communicate Your Results