Write Away
Matuson and Mullen both stress the need for good writing skills. Mullen notes that writing is important at every stage of employment. “Being able to write well is the only way you’re going to get yourself in front of an interviewer,” she says. “As you get higher in the food chain, (writing) becomes a discriminator.”
But how do you know if your writing skills need work? Try sending a short report to trusted friends and ask for their candid opinion, suggests Matuson. Did you get the point across? Was it easy to understand? Did they find any grammatical or spelling errors? If your writing skills need help, take a course. Try a local community college, suggests Matuson.
You can also use reference guides such as the classic Elements of Style and The Gregg Reference Manual to brush up on your skills.
Assist Yourself
Once upon a time, people had personal secretaries and then office assistants; now there’s typically one assistant providing supoort for many people. “The days of having your own secretary are long gone,” says Matuson. Older workers especially “need to be able to show employers that they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty” with office tasks. This means learning how to type quickly and well, how to use the fax machine and copier, and understanding how office computer components fit together.
Be Software Savvy
The programs (“applications” in software parlance) in Microsoft Office are nearly ubiquitous. Learn how to turn Word from a typewriter with a screen into a time-saving tool with a little training. Matuson advises simply exploring the software. How-to manuals and classes for basic software are easy to find. One inexpensive option: Night classes with a local continuing-education provider. Try to understand the program’s usage style or menu. “A lot of (programs) build on each other,” says Matuson. “If you know one, it’s easy to learn another.”
Find Your Way Around
Workplaces rearrange themselves around technologies. For jobs that deal with information, Mullin notes, employers expect employees will be able to find information online quickly and easily. Get started by going to a search site such as Google and practice searching. Then explore the advanced search options.
Say What You Mean
Whether in an interview, a meeting or simply working with colleagues, you will improve your prospects if you can present yourself effectively. According to Mullin, presentation is “a skill that people generally don’t think about or worry about. But then, when they get up to do a presentation or run a meeting, they’re horrible.”
Mullin suggests joining Toastmasters International. This group’s experts, in addition to assessing your overall communication style, will count your “ums” and time how quickly you can get your point across. Dale Carnegie is another organization concerned with presentations skills.
Knowing these essentials won’t land you in the corner office, but a grasp of the basics will help you get in the door, get hired and succeed on the job.
Source:
http://www.hrguru.com/news/articles/1587-5-skills-everyone-needs-today?page=1
