How Employable Are You?
As a student, you have probably spent years investing time and energy into acquiring the best grades you possibly can from a program that you believe will be of interest to employers. You may have thought that having a high GPA and a degree in an appealing major is a straight path to employment. However, that is simply not the case.
Nowadays, employers are not just looking for individuals who can get high marks on exams, or study difficult program majors. They are more interested in something called employability skills. These skills, also referred to as transferable skills, are personal qualities that enable you to succeed in any type of workplace. Not only do these skills help find you a job, but they ensure that you can keep that job, while continuing to excel in your career.
Employability skills are held in high regard because they indicate how capable an employee is at interacting respectfully with their workers, taking initiative, and being flexible enough to be assigned work in new environments. The job market is incredibly competitive so having transferable skills that can be applied in whichever situation you find yourself in is vital. Some of the employability skills that employers often look for include, but are not limited to:
Communication skills: The ability to understand and share information effectively, in both a written and verbal sense.
Interpersonal and team skills: This involves ability to work well with others, show appreciation and resolve disputes in a respectful manner. This is an essential skill to have, as workplaces often require interaction between employees.
Intercultural and international awareness and sensitivity: Having an awareness of the similarities and differences between your culture and those around you, which helps break down cultural barriers in the workplace and results in less cultural conflict.
Data collection, analysis, and decision-making skills: The collection of data from relevant sources, from which a detailed examination is performed in order to gain a deeper understanding. This allows for an informed decision to be made.
Computer and electronic media skills: An understanding of softwares, applications and programs, and so much more.. The ARBUS Society is a great place to explore these skills, as we have previously hosted workshops to help students understand software like Excel and Figma.
Time and resource management: The process of scheduling and allocating an effective amount of time to various activities so that you can achieve more tasks in a shorter amount of time.
Flexibility and adaptability: The ability to change in order to do well in whatever situation you find yourself in allows for resilience to develop, making you more likely to thrive even in difficult situations.
Take some time and go through each skill on the list above, then ask yourself if you really have what it takes to be an effective employee. The closer you are to acquiring these skills, the higher your chance is at gaining employment.
However, if you find that you are quite far from achieving the skills listed above, below is a list of certifications offered at the University of Waterloo that may help you achieve a higher level of employability.
