Do You Have the Skills?

Searching for a job is easier than it may seem, especially for Kingsborough students. It is easier because Kingsborough students and alumni have access to a Jobs Board called CareerWave. The jobs and internships posted here have previously been verified by a Career Advisor to ensure they are legitimate opportunities. The employers posting jobs with us understand the population that we serve, therefore, the qualifications that are required match the qualifications our students possess. Employers can also request a student resume book which gives them access to your resume, therefore, you may be contacted for a job you did not apply for.

Finding a job may be simple but having the necessary skills to become hired can be tricky. Employability skills and personal values are the critical tools and traits needed to succeed in the workplace. Employable skills are all elements that you can learn, cultivate, develop, and maintain over your lifetime. There are two types of obtained skills: hard and soft. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured, such as typing, writing, math, reading and the ability to use software programs. Soft skills are less tangible and harder to quantify, such as etiquette, getting along with others, listening and engaging in small talk once you have acquired the sought-after skills and values and evaluated the degree to which you possess them, begin to market them by building them into your resume, cover letter, and interview answers. The table below shows skills that employers are looking for, why they are looking for it, and how to communicate that you possess those skills.

Soft Skills	Why?	How to communicate it
Teamwork	Many jobs involve working in one or more work-groups, you must have the ability to work with others in a professional manner while attempting to achieve a common goal.	Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues
Planning and organization	Deals with your ability to design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks within an allotted timeframe. Also, involves goal-setting.	Results-driven achiever with exemplary planning and organizational skills, along with a high degree of detail orientation
Diversity	There is possibly no bigger issue in the workplace than diversity, and jobseekers must demonstrate a sensitivity and awareness to other people and cultures.
Leadership/management	Your ability to take charge and manage your co-workers.	Goal-driven leader who maintains a productive climate and confidently motivates, mobilizes, and coaches employees to meet high-performance standards
Willingness to learn	No matter what your age, no matter how much experience you have, you should always be willing to learn a new skill or technique. Jobs are constantly changing and evolving, and you must show an openness to grow and learn with that change.	Enthusiastic, knowledge-hungry learner, eager to meet challenges and quickly assimilate new concepts
Self-motivated	While teamwork is always mentioned as an important skill, so is the ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.	Highly motivated self-starter who takes initiative with minimal supervision
Professionalism	Deals with acting in a responsible and fair manner in all your personal and work activities, which is seen as a sign of maturity and self-confidence; avoid being petty.	Conscientious go-getter who is highly organized, dedicated, and committed to professionalism
Honesty and integrity	Employers probably respect personal integrity more than any other value, especially in light of the many recent corporate scandals.	Seasoned professional whose honesty and integrity create effective leadership and optimal business relationships
Adaptability	Deals with openness to new ideas and concepts, to working independently or as part of a team, and to carrying out multiple tasks or projects.	Highly adaptable, mobile, positive, resilient, patient risk-taker who is open to new ideas.
Dependability	There’s no question that all employers desire employees who will arrive to work every day — on time — and ready to work, and who will take responsibility for their actions.	Dependable, responsible contributor committed to excellence and success

 

 

Hard Skill	Why	How to communicate it
Data Analysis	Analyzing some kind of data is a common part of many job positions and responsibilities.	Data Visualization Software Flowchart Software
Basic Computer Skills	It is not a surprise that almost every type of job is in a strong connection with computers.	Windows Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel PowerPoint Outlook Express Windows Share Folders
Software Development Software	If you are applying for a software developer	Java C++ Smalltalk PHP .NET
Project Management Software	If you are applying	Project Management Tools Risk Management Tools Workflow Management Software  Gantt Chart Software UML diagram types

 

If adding skills to your resume is an issue please stop by Career Services in C-102 to make an appointment to see an advisor.

                                                                                                             ~Kyla Hendy