In previous posts on the eSight Network Forum, Jake
and Jennifer have wondered if the skills they use in
volunteer positions are transferable to paid positions
and valued by employers.
That's the burning question most job seekers wonder
about in bad times or good times. How can I apply the
skills I've developed in various situations to the job
I'm currently seeking?
In other words, what do employers really want?
Here's a list of skills employers have said are most
important to them in a job candidate:
1. Communication skills.
This means excellent verbal or oral skills, effective
listening skills and excellent written skills.
2. Analytical and research skills.
These skills deal with the ability to assess
situations, look at and understand multiple
perspectives, identify any and all key issues and
do all pertinent research for the problem or
proposal at hand.
3. Computer literacy.
This involves the basic understanding and use of
hardware, software, adaptive technology,
assistive devices, word processing, spread
sheets, and e-mail.
4. Flexibility, adaptability, managing
multiple priorities.
These skills look at your ability to handle many
tasks at once, change direction if you need to,
decide on priorities and effectively managing your time.
5. Interpersonal skills.
These skills involve your ability to work with
others effectively, to empower and encourage your
colleagues or team members, and to motivate
others to participate in discussions and meetings.
Interpersonal skills also include your ability to
handle and manage conflict with others without
taking it personally or getting emotionally
involved. Are you good at conflict resolution and
problem solving?
6. Problem solving, reasoning skills and
creativity.
Such skills involve being flexible in problem
solving. It's using reasoning and experience to find
creative solutions. With these skills, you'll be able
to spot future trends ahead of others. You will be
able to use "synergy" to find practical
applications to solutions that you have found.
7. Teamwork.
Teams have become an integral part of education,
business and, of course, sports. These skills
involve being able to work with many individuals
or groups where you can help them and they can
help you. Good teamwork eschews cliques or
favorites or those with closed-minded attitudes
such as "been there, done that; it doesn't work."
Good teamwork skills mean you're proactive and
positive and are able to pursue common goals
without hoarding all the credit or trying to bully
others to work the way you want to. As the old
maxim goes there's no "I" in team or teamwork.
We often hear people say that employers value soft
skills -- that if a person has the right attitude and is
willing to learn they can teach the specific job
related skills.
Employers value soft skills because they make a real
difference in how well you perform a job and the added
plus is that they are transferable to other jobs and
work situations.
That's why I'd like to tell you about Vicky from Ohio.
Vicky called Member Services this week. She
has been working as a nurse for years, and, when she
could not longer do her job to her satisfaction, she
started teaching.
She has a hearing problem and Parkinson's. She said it
is now too hard to teach because her hearing has
gotten worse.
She is looking for advice about how she might transfer
her skills into a new work situation which can be more
manageable for her.
What advice do you have to offer her?
Please post your advice at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1539
Read all the postings at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1540
Invite your friends and acquaintances to
submit their comments at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1545
Liz Seger
Facilitator
eSight Careers Network(tm)
http://www.esight.org/
PS: Please pass this on to friends in CT, DE, FL, GA,
MA, ME, MD, NC, NH, NJ NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, WV and
VT, or Washington, DC. who you think can benefit
from our 2009 Lighthouse International Scholarship
and Career Awards.
Learn more about these scholarships, which reward
excellence, recognize accomplishments and help
students who are blind or partially sighted
achieve their career goals.
Download an application at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1536
Deadline: Sunday, March 1, 2009.
eSight Resources
Community News
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1541
Resource Sharing
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1982
Job Postings
http://www.esight.org/search_jobs.cfm
Resources for Job Hunters
http://www.esight.org/job_resources.cfm
Networking Forum
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1542
Job Seeker's Network
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1543
Archives for eSight NetWork News
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1544
Share Your "Aha! Moment."
It's another form of virtual
mentoring for our eSight community.
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1297
About eSight NetWork News
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which is brought to you from Lighthouse International,
a leading non-profit organization located in New York
City at 111 East 59th Street.
Through services, education, research and
advocacy, the Lighthouse helps people with low vision
and blindness enjoy safe, independent and productive
lives.
For more information about vision loss, its
causes and what you can do about it, contact
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