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It wasn’t too long ago that a job was considered a good job
if it had a lifetime of secure and permanent employment, a clearly defined
job role and opportunities for promotion. How things have changed! The
new world of work is complex and dynamic, contains limited job security
and has a growing number of temporary and contract based opportunities.
The emphasis is on each individual managing her or his career and means
maintaining personal employability to access the wonderful range of
labour market opportunities.
Because employment generates income it is an important activity! And
when people are not earning an income they speak of being un-employed
which has a focus on getting a job, keeping a job and getting a better
job. But the emphasis with this perspective is of waiting for an opportunity
to come, rather than creating opportunities by:
- being aware of personal strengths, skills and abilities being aware
of what employers and industry require
- maintaining skill currency in the labour market to close the gap
between personal skills and what is attractive to the labour market
Employability skills are relevant to work experience since the skills
developed through finding and participating in work placement reflect
the ability to:
- get a job
- retain employment
- maintain independence in the labour market
- affect the work quality produced when in a working environment
Employability, Experience and Employment
Employability skills are those skills and experience required not only
to gain employment, but also to progress within a business and to manage
your career direction in the open labour market! This involves not only
the technical skills required in a job, but also that are more general
in nature. These are often referred to as employability skills and personal
attributes because they may be applied across a range of industries
and occupations. They include communication, team work, reliability
and commitment and need to be developed and refined within personal
practice, interpersonal relationships and business dealings.
Understanding and consciously developing your employability skills
is a key indicator of your personal ability to assert resilience in
times of labour market uncertainty. This means that the probability of
being unemployed (for anything more than a short while) will decrease!
So when deciding what kind of work experience is appropriate for you,
think about what you want to achieve from it and how it fits in with
your interests and other commitments. By doing this you will be maximising
the learning value of your work experiences.
Attached below is a one page matrix indicating the key skills and attributes
that are attractive within the current labour market. Take the time to
reflect on your own skills and attributes and consider how you might
use them in your own self-marketing plan!
What is work experience for you? ... a reflection
I completed a Bachelor of Commerce, double majors in Management and
Marketing a few years ago but was unable to put it into practice. I
was seeking employment in my field of study but found employment in
an office administration role. I am currently studying a Diploma of
Event Management as this is more specific to the career path I want
to take.
I wished to put my degree to good use so I asked friends if they knew
of any work experience possibilities at their workplaces. I was offered
work experience at the Department of Education and Training, organising
promotional materials and assisting in events. Here I was able to acquire
skills and knowledge and apply them in the workplace, and I obtained
a greater understanding in my choice of career. My valuable work experience
was attained through the pursuit of my contact involved in a career
exposed to the field of work that I desired.
Work experience is a fantastic opportunity to learn important skills
and build on your knowledge gained through practical application. If
you show a keenness and determination you may be offered a placement
in the company. Work experience is an asset to your resume and makes
you more job marketable! Anna Sharkey
Resources:
Employability Skills for
the Future - Matrix - [.doc | 51 kb]
The matrix is a quick guide to the personal attributes and skills
that aid individual employability in the market place. They also reflect
the attributes and skills required by business to achieve strategic
goals. Note: this matrix has been developed from the Employability Skills
for the Future project.
Develop
the skills and attributes that employers value
This link to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) contains useful
information abut the skills and attributes that employers value highly.
Developing
skills that work for the future
What are skills? Why are skills important? Which skills should you
be developing? When and how should skills be learned? While this article
is written with tertiary students in mind, the questions are relevant
to everyone!
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