Soft Skills for Career Success

10th GradeInformed Career Decisions #1

(Microsoft, 2011)

Pre-Test

1. What are two soft skills employers mention most often?

2. What are three steps to manage a conflict?

3. ______________ diversity is an important soft skill for most employers.

Soft Skills Survey

Tabulate Soft Skills Survey

• Add scores for eight items– 36 and Above: Excellent Soft Skills– 30 to 35: Good Soft Skills– 29 and Below: Need to Improve Soft Skills

Objectives

o Communicationo Teamworko Work well with diverse

populationso Empathy

o Positive Attitudeo Growth Mindseto Self-Controlo Out-of-School Activities

• Learn more about the importance of soft skills

Communication and Teamwork • The soft skills employers reference most often is – Communication– Teamwork

• These 2 skills are becoming increasingly in the workplace • Watch The Power of Soft Skills Video – Is a Canadian IT program video but outlines soft skills well– Pay close attention to communication, teamwork & points about• Good attitude• Verbal and written presentations • Working well in a diverse workforce

Important Communication Skills

• Speak clearly and succinctly– Provide a compelling message– Deliver essential details while monitoring number of words

• Provide specific details with concrete examples– People like to hear short stories – Examples raise understanding and support for your ideas

• Be a good listener – Helps build strong relationships – Team members often have good ideas

1. Do Your Part– Avoid not doing enough and taking over projects

2. Compromise at appropriate times– Balance compromising and supporting your good ideas

3. Get along well with team members – Focus on the positive traits of co-workers – Make time to have fun and laugh together – Manage conflicts well

1. Talk it out effectively 2. Know when to ignore small things3. Get help when the first two steps do not work

Important Teamwork Skills

Groups: Pick 3 Most Important Skillsand Explain Why

• Speak clearly and succinctly• Make time to have fun and laugh together • Provide specific details with concrete examples• Focus on the positive traits of co-workers • Be a good listener• Do your part on projects• Compromise at appropriate times• Get along well with team members • Manage conflicts well

Work Well with Diverse Populations• The workplace is becoming increasingly diverse• Most employers want workers who work well with

diverse populations– Race, sexual orientation, gender, disabilities, religion, age,

geographic area, educational level, etc.

• Watch the Embracing Diversity video– Pay special attention to how this center embraces diversity

Group Activity: Answer 2 Questions• The last line of the video is– As long as you are a person, you are invited to the

Howard Thurman Center

• Why do you think that this attitude is important to most employers?

• How might this attitude help increase production at the workplace?

Positive Attitude• Some things that people might believe with a

positive attitude – Mother Teresa quote: Every time you smile at person,

it is an action of love and a gift to that person– I see opportunities in every problem– I am grateful for all my gifts

• Watch the Employee Career Tip Video – Notice how a positive attitude helps in this business

Growth Mindset• People with a growth mindset believe that – Intelligence is something that you become through strong

effort and persistence• People with a growth mindset & optimistic attitude tend to – Have a more positive self-image– Look at others in a more positive light – Show more tenacity in complex group tasks

Empathy • Empathy: the ability to see another person’s point of view• Empathy is helpful on the job because it helps create a

positive work environment• Most employers want someone who can see others’ point

of view and uses that ability to gain more understanding• Watch the No Empathy Video – Do not do this

Self-Control • Watch The Hard Facts Behind Soft Skills Video– Students with high amounts of self-control tend to practice

more habits of success• 3 Ramp-Up Habits of Success are

1. Use a planner and binder2. Take notes3. Have a set study time every night

• Students that have low self-control are more likely to drink and do drugs in college– This is too often a main factor when students have academic and

personal problems in college

Out-of-School Activities • Watch the Alcohol: True Stories video– Video details very bad stories about alcohol abuse

• What is more common is when alcohol and drug abuse – Results in students not reaching their academic & personal goals

• Positive out-of-school activities in college– First select friends who are a positive influence– Join clubs in your areas of interest– Participate in intermural activities/Stay physically active

• Balance these activities with your daily study time– You will have just a few classes and a lot of free time

Group Activity: Pick Individual 3 Strengths Explain How You Demonstrate These Soft Skills

• Good communicator• Valuable team member• Work well with diverse groups of people• Participate in positive after-school activities• Have positive attitude• Have a growth mindset• Show empathy toward others• Practice habits of success• Others

Sample Student: Update Postsecondary Plan

Update Your Postsecondary Plan

• Update the Strengths section– Write 3 Soft Skills strengths

Post-Test

1. What are two soft skills employers mention most often?

2. What are three steps to manage a conflict?

3. ______________ diversity is an important soft skill for most employers.

Review

• Two soft skills employers mention most often– Good communicator and team player

• Three steps to manage a conflict1. Talk it out effectively 2. Know when to ignore small things3. Get help when the first two steps do not work

• ______________ diversity is an important soft skill for most employers. – Embracing