Assignment 1: Enhancing Your Employability You Will Need To

Assignment 1 Enhancing Your Employabilityyou Will Need To Develop Two

Develop two sets of skills to enhance employability: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical knowledge and experience related to specific job tasks, such as counseling theories for psychologists. Soft skills are interpersonal skills that facilitate effective communication and collaboration, such as professionalism, communication, and teamwork. A 2006 survey found employers value soft skills more than hard skills, citing professionalism, communication, and collaboration as top qualities. Many graduates lack these essential skills, potentially due to gaps in education, insufficient practical experience, or failure to develop emotional intelligence. This deficiency affects their readiness for employment and overall job performance.

In this context, hard skills include technical abilities like administering psychological tests or diagnosing mental illnesses, whereas soft skills involve traits like adaptability, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal communication. Academic sources such as Goleman (1998) highlight emotional intelligence as vital for success in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of soft skills alongside technical expertise. The disconnect between academic preparation and workforce expectations suggests a need for comprehensive skill development in educational settings.

From personal experience, I believe I have demonstrated several important soft skills during my academic and extracurricular activities. For example, I have exhibited strong communication skills through presentations and group projects. During a team project, I facilitated discussions and ensured all members' ideas were heard, demonstrating collaboration and leadership. Additionally, I have shown professionalism by adhering to deadlines and maintaining a positive attitude in stressful situations, such as managing multiple coursework deadlines simultaneously. In terms of hard skills, I have developed proficiency in statistical analysis software, which I used in research projects to analyze data accurately and efficiently.

Conversely, I recognize that I need to improve my time management, public speaking, and networking skills. I have experienced difficulties in managing multiple responsibilities, leading to last-minute stress and compromised work quality. For instance, I delayed practicing my presentation for a class, resulting in a less confident delivery. I also find networking intimidating, which limits opportunities for mentorship and professional growth. Addressing these weaknesses is crucial for my career development.

To enhance my time management, I plan to adopt tools like planners and priority lists, setting specific daily goals to stay organized. Improving public speaking can be achieved through participation in clubs like Toastmasters or public speaking workshops to build confidence and clarity. As for networking, I aim to attend industry events, engage in online professional communities, and seek mentorship opportunities to expand my connections. These steps will help me develop these soft skills, making me more employable and prepared for the demands of the workforce.

References

  • Goleman, D. (1998). Working with emotional intelligence. Bantam Books.
  • Conference Board, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Corporate Voices for Working Families, & Society for Human Resource Management. (2006). Are they really ready to work? Employers' perspectives on the basic knowledge and applied skills of new entrants to the 21st century U.S. workforce. Retrieved from https://www.conference-board.org/publications/publicationdetail.cfm?publicationid=1298
  • OECD. (2014). Skills for Innovation and Research. OECD Publishing.
  • Robles, M. M. (2012). Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in the workplace. Business and Management Research, 1(3), 17–28.
  • Schulz, E. (2017). The importance of soft skills: Education beyond academic knowledge. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 5(11), 102–108.
  • Spitzberg, B. H., & Cupach, W. R. (2014). Interpersonal skills and communication competency. In W. B. Gudykunst (Ed.), Theorizing about intercultural communication (pp. 239–259). SAGE Publications.
  • Hesketh, B., & Neal, A. (1999). Developing competencies for the workplace. Human Resource Management Review, 9(4), 385–404.
  • Lievens, F., & Sackett, P. R. (2017). The importance of interpersonal skills to employer recruitment outcomes. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 25(2), 167–174.
  • Kingsbury, J. (2016). Enhancing soft skills in higher education. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 38(5), 543–556.
  • Cherniss, C., & Goleman, D. (2001). The emotionally intelligent workplace. Jossey-Bass.

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