SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN A

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

INTRODUCTION• Simply having good marks and

completing a degree is not enough

to get a job in today’s rapidly changing economy.

• Completing the basic requirements for a college degree will not automatically guarantee one a job in today’s market.

• Top-recruiters have revealed that most of the professionals they hire, have to be re-trained as they do not possess some of the soft skills required to work in a professional environment.

• Increasingly, in job surveys, employers mention other factors as being important to the hiring process:

• A basic set of skills of value to prospective employers.

•Job ads provide the job aspirants with a wealth of information about the academic requirements, critical technical and non-technical skills needed for success.•These non-technical skills are basically Soft skills, abilities and traits that all the employees need, to function effectively in a work environment.

• It is expected that professionals will have personal attributes that can improve company’s growth.

• The soft skills are Transferable skills i.e. they are portable from one job to the next.

• They can serve the person, no matter what position or career one seeks.

• Often good candidates are rejected, despite excellent academic qualifications, only because they can’t demonstrate the abilities required of them at work.

• It is therefore, important not only to recognize these skills, and incorporate skill development into one’s academic experience, but also to demonstrate these skills using one’s experiences.

• The more one demonstrates these skills and traits, the more marketable one will be.

The basic skills needed for success are:

• COMMUNICATION SKILLS.• COMPUTER SKILLS.• LEADERSHIP SKILLS.• TEAMWORK.• INTERPERSONAL SKILLS.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• One of the foundation skills needed for success! The very first area other than appearance, which affects the first impression.

• It is basically the ability to verbalize, write, listen, give presentations, facilitate discussions, and share knowledge effectively.

• Communication includes speaking skills as well as body language.

• Effective communication enables the person to relate to people on their level.

• Whether it is explaining an idea in a meeting, writing a report or simply directing work, effective communicators lead the game.

• To build up communication skills one can:

(i ) Write articles, features, or editorials for campus or local newspapers.

(ii) Get involved or organise campus events. Create advertisement and publicity for them.

(iii) Join Cultural clubs or student organisations and be an active participant in the activities.

(iv) Join a speech or a debate team. (v) Act in plays or theatre groups. (vi) Get a job or internship in a retail store or a fast

food outlet. (vii) Volunteer to work on any public or social

campaigns.

TECHNICAL SKILLS• This is the ability of application of

technology and effective usage of major software and the web to accomplish job responsibilities.

• Employers expect new college graduates to be familiar with standard business computer applications i.e. spreadsheets, data management, presentation software and web research.

To build up Technical skills one can:

• Design a personal web page, or maintain web sites for student organisations, Community organisations.

• Learn basic computer skills-MS Word, Excel, Power Point , Spread sheet etc.

• Design Brochures or newsletters using desktop publishing software.

• Assist college clubs, or your department with databases, statistical analyses and reports.

• Get a summer job or internship working on computer networks or doing programming.

• Use spreadsheet balance accounts to keep financial records.

• Design Power Point presentations for class or an organization.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS• The ability to lead, gather

resources, coach and guide others toward a common goal.

• Whether you are leading your family or a construction crew, to get what you want from others is a skilled art.

• A leader sets a course of direction , looks ahead of potential problems and devises solutions to these problems.

To give yourself experience to build your leadership skills, you can:

• Initiate a new programme, service, resource or business.

• Participate in campus leadership training programmes, conferences, and events.

• Organize and manage college events-sports, cultural shows, debates and so on.

• Be elected to student government office and serve on your college student council.

TEAM WORK• The ability to work effectively with

others and to collaborate successfully.• While many want to be leaders, it is

often difficult to be accountable as a member of a team.

• This requires the ability to get on with others and work with them even when it involves ideas generated by others.

To hone upon team working one can:• Participate in group projects for class.• Participate in any social or cultural

programme in the college.• Work for society, club, or group to

organize programmes in the college.• Be a part of a group volunteer

project.• Participate in a debate team or speech

team.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• The ability to relate to colleagues and customers, inspire others, resolve conflict, be tactful, understand cultures, and show diplomacy.

• In today’s global world, interpersonal skills means being aware of and respecting cultural differences, maintaining an openness to new ideas and working cooperatively with others.

One can develop interpersonal skills in experiences that emphasize human relationships and provide opportunities to interact with people. These can include:

• Interact with people around to gather information.

• Lead a support group or discussion group.

• Take up teaching or tutorial work for school children.

• Get a part-time job, or do summer work in customer service.

• Join international student organisations, and participate in their activities.

No matter which career you may wish to pursue you must develop these essential skills and techniques that help one to excel in one’s career.

While honing your academic qualifications spend some time to develop these skills which can put you ahead of the competition.

Remember, Success doesn’t go to anybody, one has to reach to it with conscious efforts!!!