6 Factors Of Career Success

What do employers look for in potential employees?chance of getting the job as dull candidates with
That was the question that was posted recently onbetter skills.
a career discussion forum online. Naturally, for each4. JOB SURVIVAL‚ Now there's a hot topic in
different position, the particular answers to thatthis period of layoffs. Who gets the ax and who
question would be different. However, there aredoesn't is often a matter of numbers, but it is also
some common skills that employers look for in alloften a matter of performance. Employees who
employees, whether the employee happens to be ahave consistently demonstrated their worth, taken
network engineer or a fry cook.initiative, and made themselves a valuable asset to
In-Demand Skills for Successthe company have lower incidences of being
1. BASIC SKILLS‚ Reading, writing anddownsized than employees who put forth mediocre
arithmetic! Believe it or not, a good portion of highor average effort in their jobs. Surviving within a
school graduates (and some college grads) do notcompany through layoffs or moving up the career
read at an 8th grade level and cannot doladder is a success skill that is learned and is
multiplication in their head. Employers are seekingconsciously cultivated among successful professionals.
employees who can read well, can write coherently,5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT‚ As all high
and who can calculate mathematics in a businesstech and engineering pros know‚ it's learn or
environment (fractions, percentages, etc.) Add toburn in today's work environment. Attaining new skills,
that the modern basic skills of keyboarding skill, basicapplying new concepts, updating established skills is
computer knowledge, and ability to use mostan absolute necessity to succeed in today's work
computerized tools (e.g. fax machine, basic wordforce. The successful individual is constantly attending
processing program, etc.) to round out the basic skillseminars, taking classes, attaining training on new
sets needed for employment success.products or releases, and otherwise learning new skills
2. PERSONAL SKILLS‚ Can a potentialthat will keep them marketable in their careers.
employee speak well? Can he/she answer questionsSuccessful people are lifelong learners. Employers are
of customers in a positive, informative manner? Canlooking for people who have the training necessary
the prospect provide good customer service? Whileto fulfill their needs.
not everyone has an outgoing sales' personality,6. CAREER DEVELOPMENT‚ Career
successful employees can communicate in aDevelopment differs from Professional Development.
non-confrontational, positive manner with theirProfessional Development is learning while Career
coworkers, team members, subordinates,Development is a planning and goal setting process.
management, and customers. Being able to work wellSuccessful individuals design a career plan with
with others is a vital skill for success in all jobs.written goals for short term and long term. They lay
3. JOB ATTAINMENT‚ Job search is aout the steps needed to move their careers from
process that requires a great deal of dedication andPoint A to Point B within Time Frame C and plan how
attention to be conducted successfully. It follows thethey are going to achieve those steps. Successful
old principal that many veteran programmers refer topeople have someone to whom they are accountable
as GIGO ‚ Garbage In, Garbage Out. If youfor their progress and who will monitor their success
put lousy effort in, you will receive lousy results.in achieving their goals. Employers are seeking
Employers are seeking employees who know how toindividuals who (believe it or not) wish to commit to
present themselves in a positive manner and whothe company for a long period of time. Good career
display enthusiasm and knowledge about theprogression is a high selling point of candidates to
companies they approach. Not only do candidates getprospective employers.
evaluated on their skills and experience, but also onHow do you measure up? Do you have the 6
how they are approaching the job search.In-Demand Skills for Success? Feel like you need
Enthusiastic candidates with fewer skills have an evensome help? Give us a call!