Employer Expectations

Employability = employ + ability Literally, that is the ability to be employed – potentially in lots of different jobs and workplaces. And if we put “employability” together with “skills” we have: Employability skills = the basic skills needed to function effectively at work, no matter what kind of work you’re doing.

Desirable & undesirable work habits can have a strong influence on career success Employer expectation and good work habits are linked. Some jobs have employee handbooks that spell out acceptable and unacceptable behavior

Key topics Attitude Honesty & Dependability Work Well with Others Time Management Safety on the Job Good Communication Skills Appropriate use of Computers and Internet Appropriate Behavior Health & Grooming

ATTITUDE One of the most important traits Be friendly with a ready smile; look people in the eye when interacting w/ them but do be overbearing in manner Be willing to accept new ideas when appropriate; recognizing the rights of other workers to hold different points of views Rarely complaining about the job or other workers, not criticizing others on the job.

Honesty and Dependability Employers generally place a high value on traits of honesty & dependability in their employees. Being on time for work, not taking excessive breaks during workday & putting in a full day work. Maintaining a high level of ethical behavior in relationships w/fellow workers, customers, suppliers, govt. officials, and any others one has occasion to come into contact with during the course of ones work.

Work Well with Others Develop and maintain a pleasant personality and have patience with other workers. One must be careful not to create a hostile environment nor to harass other workers. Jokes Vulgar language Sexual advances

Time Management Workers who manage their time on the job in a productive manor are more valuable employees than those who don’t. Not enough to just come to work on time, must be a productive worker. Take pride in work and products of work. Take care of equipment and don’t be wasteful.

Safety on the Job Most work places have safety rules. Learn and follow the safety processes required. Failure to do so may result in injury or loss of job.

Good Communication Skills The ability to communicate with others on the job as a desirable worker skill. Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction. Use correct grammar, and avoid slang and colloquial expressions. Think about what is said before speaking. Body language and facial expressions my reveal more about what one is thinking than the words being spoken.

Appropriate use of Computers & the Internet Know the appropriate internet use and follow those policies. Failure to do so to do so will result in job loss. The computer at work belongs to the employer and courts have up held the right for the employer to have absolute control over its use.

Appropriate Behavior Do not discriminate or show prejudice. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination.

Health & Grooming Getting enough sleep so one is rested when coming to work contributes to better job performance. Develop good grooming habits such as cleanliness. Grooming habits may influence how ones job performance is evaluated. Different jobs require different kinds of clothing. Don’t confuse casual dressed with sloppy dressed.