就业技能

There are two types of skill sets that are required to do most jobs. The ones that usually come to mind first are called Technical (or Hard) Skills. 这些都是具体的, job-specific skills which require varying degrees of expertise and they usually have been developed through experience or some amount of study and training. Whether it be wiring a building for electricity, preparing taxes for businesses, 或者做手术, you can only do these things if you’ve been properly trained or have studied it long enough. 

The other set goes by several different names: Soft Skills, 就业技能, 生活技能和更多. They are considered transferable skills; that is, they are skills that can be used in any job setting, regardless of the technical skills required. That is why learning these skills now, 还在上学的时候, can help prepare you for a future career, regardless of the type of work you choose.

• 生活技能vs. 软技能vs. 职业技能vs. 就业技能 — What Are the Differences?

Interestingly, there is no such thing as a “set list” of employability skills. Do a search of the top employability or soft skills and you’ll likely get a few different skills on your list every time. Even still, you’ll usually find the same core skill sets brought up time and again. So while a few may vary from list to list, and several go by different names, here are 8 of the most commonly mentioned “critical” skills:

1. 团队合作(.k.a. 协作) - involves two or more people working together to complete a shared goal or task. Each person contributing to the whole for the good of the group 
2. 沟通 - the way we interact and, 更多的技术, share information with others; making sure all parties are “on the same page.” Presented in a variety of formats from the written word to speaking effectively, and from active listening skills to nonverbal cues
3. 适应性(.k.a. 灵活性) -表现成熟, poise and restraint when having to adjust to new or different conditions; Effectively coping with pressure, 压力, 批评, 挫折, 等.
4. 创造力(.ka. 创新) - the ability to generate new and imaginative ideas, processes, products, 等.; “outside-of-the-box” thinking that produces different results than before
5. 解决问题 & 批判性思维(a).k.a. Reasoning or Decision-making) - the ability to identify a problem, analyze it and work through possible scenarios to find a potential solution
6. 时间管理 - the process of organizing and prioritizing how to best use time effectively; begins with attendance and punctuality, but also includes appropriately handling various tasks & deadlines in a timely manner
7. 积极主动(a).k.a. 自主性) - seeing a need and doing it without being told to do so; the desire to act or go “above and beyond” what is expected or required; internal motivation
8. 可靠性(.k.a. 可靠性) - the quality one demonstrates that they can be consistently trusted or counted upon. This trait usually grows over a period of time

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Employers say that they are more concerned with the level of 就业技能 employees have than ever before. They argue that certain technical skills can be taught more easily than soft or employability skills and that today’s employees are found to be more and more lacking in these skills. Yet, it’s these very skills that can make or break a team or even a company’s culture.

Businesses have gradually begun to shift in placing more and more value on culture and community in the workplace, attributes that are defined by such 就业技能 as Teamwork, 沟通, 完整性, 和问责制. They have found that people who can effectively demonstrate these skills tend to be happier with their work, have good working relationships and feel valued by others are more productive and tend to stay with the company longer. This is why companies are placing a higher priority on such skills. Technical Skills are not enough any more. As one employer put it, “We don’t want any brilliant jerks working here.”

• Perkins Collaborative Resource Network
• Soft skills in the workplace: How to develop them and why should you care?
• Can Soft Skills Be 学习ed? 

It can be frustrating when a teacher or parent says, “You need to be more responsible” but doesn’t explain to you how to improve that skill. Keep in mind that while some soft skills may come more naturally than others due to personality traits and habits, 和任何技能组合一样, growing these skills requires both time and effort. Below are a few suggestions for how you can improve any of these critical skills:

• 寻求帮助 - Have friends/family point out skills of strength they see in you. Ask them for specific examples. Ask for feedback on areas of weakness and ways to improve. Want to work on a particular skill? Ask them to help practice by role-playing with you. 
• 自省 - Which employability skills are strengths for you? 弱点领域? What behaviors or external things are getting in the way of you improving your skill set? Be honest with yourself and make a plan for what you want to achieve. 
• 拥抱的机会 - Recognize when life situations present you an opportunity to work on a skill and welcome it. For example: having a conflict with a friend? It’s an opportunity to work on your communication skills. Struggling to come up with the money for something you want? Develop those problem-solving skills to find a solution.
• 从错误中吸取教训 - There are going to be times when you blow it. It’s OK; give yourself a pass. 但是请记住, so the next time you’re faced with a similar situation, you can handle it differently. Plus, you’ll have a story to tell during your interview about how you grew from the experience!
• 循序渐进 - There are a lot of employability skills. Don’t try to master them all at once. It’ll only backfire and lead you to give up. Find one or two at a time to really zero in and work on. Remember, you’ll never “arrive” with these skills. 一切都是关于增长.

注意: When applying for jobs that call out certain soft skills they are looking for, be sure to include these on your resume if they are areas of strength for you. If possible, briefly give an example or two of how you’ve demonstrated this skill. 

How to Identify and Develop Soft Skills