Transcript Document

Chapter 2: Employability Skills
• Employers look for specific skills and characteristics in
employees.
• Finding a job requires careful preparation of application
materials and making a good impression at an interview.
• Both employees and employers have rights and
responsibilities.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
• active
listening
• body
language
• work ethic
• flexibility
• networking
• trade
publications
• service
learning
• résumé
• prioritize
• empathy
• ethics
• foundation
• workers’
compensation
• responsibility
• minimum
wage
• compensatory
time
• labor union
• collective
bargaining
• discrimination
• sexual
harassment
• probation
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Sharpening Your Basic Skills
Finding and keeping a job and advancing in
your career requires a solid foundation of
general skills.
foundation
A base to be built upon; groundwork.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Sharpening Your Basic Skills
A solid foundation of basic skills can transfer from job to job
and is critical in helping you advance in your education and
career.
• Communication skills
• Math skills
• Thinking skills
• Technology skills
• Information skills
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Communication Skills
Speaking Skills
• Needed to communicate to
individuals, small and large
groups, adults, and
children.
• Verbal communication
must be clear, correct, and
appropriate for the
audience.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Communication Skills
Understanding what someone is saying
requires active listening, not merely hearing
the person’s voice.
active listening
The skill of listening in order to understand the
meaning of the speaker’s words.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Communication Skills
Listening Skills
• Active listeners avoid
distractions and focus
on what the speaker is
saying.
• To show that you
understand, paraphrase
the speaker and ask
questions for
clarification.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Communication Skills
Body language, whether or not you are
aware of it, reveals your feelings and
reactions to what you say or hear.
body language
The way you move your hands and arms, hold your
body, and use facial expressions.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Communication Skills
Body Language
• Observe and interpret another
speaker’s body language to pick
up on what the person is not
saying aloud.
• Pay attention to your own body
language to practice effective
nonverbal communication skills.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Communication Skills
Writing Skills
Job applications, business forms, letters to parents, memos,
e-mails, and children’s records all require effective writing
skills:
• Adjust your message to the audience.
• Polish your writing style, which
includes word choice, tone, attitude,
grammar, and punctuation.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Communication Skills
Reading Skills
Reading is an essential skill in any
field. Child care professionals need
strong reading skills to
• read to children.
• read care instructions
from families.
• keep up to date on
research findings.
• understand work
policies.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Math Skills
Working with numbers is a part of almost every job. Child care
professionals will use basic math skills to
• keep track of work hours,
wages, and vacation
days.
• orders supplies, complete
payroll and tax forms,
and maintain budgets.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Thinking Skills
• Think creatively and make good decisions based on
facts.
• Think critically to respond quickly and properly to a
variety of situations.
• Resolve small problems before they become big
problems.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Technology Skills
In today’s workplace, you will use technology to
• access, manage,
and create
information.
• operate security
systems.
• update Web sites.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Information Skills
• You gain information from countless sources each
day.
• Acquire and use information appropriately.
• Learn the difference between reliable and useful
information and opinions.
• Knowing how to understand and interpret information
helps you to communicate successfully.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Work Ethic
In addition to skills and education,
employers also look for candidates who
possess a strong work ethic.
work ethic
A personal commitment to work
hard and to do one’s very best.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Work Ethic
Responsibility and Commitment
• Show up for work on time.
• Carry out your job duties consistently.
• Accept the consequences of your actions.
• Follow all procedures.
• Support your coworkers.
• Be enthusiastic.
• Learn new skills.
• Be committed to quality and excellence.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Work Ethic
Employers appreciate employees who
demonstrate flexibility and a positive attitude
when plans change suddenly.
flexibility
The ability to adapt willingly to
change.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Work Ethic
Reliability and Flexibility
• Perform consistently as expected.
• Carry out tasks without being asked or reminded.
• Willingly adapt to change without complaining.
• Flexibility becomes easier as your skills improve.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Work Ethic
Honesty
• Be truthful in what you say and do.
• Admit and correct errors.
• Do not blame others for your mistakes.
• Dishonesty may be grounds for termination.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Leadership Skills
• Leadership is the
ability to motivate
others to
accomplish goals.
• All effective
leaders share key
qualities that get
the job done and
keep the group
together.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Qualities of Effective Leaders
• Integrity—honest, trustworthy, dependable,
straightforward; use good judgment based on solid
values and principles
• Vision—open minded; look to the future for opportunities
and challenges; use their vision and creativity to motivate
others
• Perseverance—persistent, focused, and resourceful
• Consideration—aware and considerate of others
• Team oriented—committed to the team effort; identify and
value the backgrounds, viewpoints, skills, and talents of
others on the team
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Qualities of Effective Leaders
All members of a team can be leaders:
• Support the common goal
• Take initiative
• Share constructive
opinions
Employees who display these traits are considered
first for higher positions.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Seeking Employment
• Patience is the key to finding
your first job in child care.
• Stay organized.
• Take initiative on job leads.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
Networking is the most direct and
successful way of finding a job.
networking
Making use of all your personal and professional
contacts to further your career goals.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
Networking
• Teachers and mentors know your strengths and how you
could apply them, and they may provide reference letters.
• Friends and classmates may be researching similar jobs
and may be willing to share information.
• Employers and coworkers may know about internal job
opportunities as well as job openings outside your
workplace.
• Organizations in your school and community can often
provide job information.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
The Internet
• Look for quality job-search
and career-building
information.
• Review job postings online
and apply electronically.
• Network with people by
participating in social
network communities.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
Trade publications contain helpful articles
on all aspects of the child care industry and
often list job opportunities.
trade publications
Magazines and newsletters published by
professional organizations for their members.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
Professional Organizations
Services offered to members may include
• job listings.
• job placement services.
• scholarships.
• workshops.
• conferences.
• networking opportunities.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
Employment Agencies
Employment agencies and temporary (“temp”) agencies work
for employers and seek potential employees for them. These
agencies
• keep lists of their clients’ job openings and potential
applicants.
• submit an applicant’s credentials to the employer for
consideration for a fee.
• offer fast placement for an entry-level position.
• can give you a chance to see what the child care field is like
without committing to a certain employer.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
Take advantage of any service learning
opportunities provided by your school.
service learning
Community service that is part of
your schoolwork.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employment Resources
Volunteering and Internships
To gain valuable experience working with children, consider
• volunteering at a preschool, library, hospital,
recreation center, or child care center.
• participating in a hands-on internship, which may
lead to full-time, paid employment.
• taking part in service learning at your school.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Applying for a Job
Job Applications
• Make a good impression.
• Read the instructions.
• Print neatly and do not
leave blank spaces.
• Always be truthful.
• Assemble key personal information.
• Gather information about previous
employment.
• Collect references.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Applying for a Job
A concise, well-written résumé is one way to
convince an employer that you are the best
candidate for the job.
résumé
A summary of your career objectives, work
experience, qualifications, education, and training.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Applying for a Job
Preparing Your Résumé
A résumé should include your
•contact information.
•job objective.
•relevant education.
•work experience skills and abilities.
•awards and honors.
•professional and community activities.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Applying for a Job
Writing Your Cover Letter
A cover letter highlights your best qualities.
• Keep it short.
• Explain why you are writing.
• Introduce yourself.
• Sell yourself.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Applying for a Job
Creating Your Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of samples presented to
employers to demonstrate your skills and readiness for the
job. An early childhood portfolio may include
• sample lesson plans.
• sample menus.
• teacher evaluations of work.
• observations of child development.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
The Interview Process
Before the Interview
• Write down the date, time,
place of the interview, and
the contact person’s name.
• Learn about industry trends.
• Research your prospective
employer and the job.
• Choose appropriate clothing
and be well-groomed.
• Be prompt and courteous.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
The Interview Process
During the Interview
• Shake hands.
• Make eye contact.
• Be poised and relaxed.
• Answer questions
thoughtfully and
completely.
• Ask questions.
• Close the interview on a
positive note.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
The Interview Process
After the Interview
• Send a thank-you letter, even if you decide you do not
want the job or if you are turned down.
• Follow up appropriately.
• Review the session to evaluate how you could improve
your interview skills.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
The Interview Process
Responding to a Job Offer
Before accepting a job, ask yourself:
• Is the offered wage fair?
• Will I be able to get along with my manager?
• How much time will I spend traveling to and from the job?
• Will the job require working extra hours?
• Is there opportunity for professional growth?
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
The Interview Process
Responding to a Job Offer
• Accept the offer.
• Ask for time to consider the offer.
• Turn down the job offer.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
On the Job
The relationship between you and your employer
is key to your professional success. Both parties
have rights and responsibilities. When you
accept a job, you agree to these responsibilities.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
On the Job
As a child care worker, it is your
responsibility to do the best job possible for
the children in your care.
responsibility
Required task or duty.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
On the Job
When you have a full day ahead of you, it is
important to prioritize your tasks and
assignments.
prioritize
To put tasks in the order of importance, not in
the order of your preference.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employee Responsibilities
• Earn your pay.
• Use time responsibly.
• Prioritize your duties.
• Respect the rules.
• Work safely.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Use resources (people,
information, technology,
money) wisely.
• Show respect and a
positive attitude.
• Resolve conflicts
effectively.
• Work as a team.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Teamwork
Empathy will help you understand the
feelings and viewpoints of your coworkers,
the children in your care, and their families.
empathy
The skill of putting yourself in another’s place.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Teamwork
Positive Attitude
• Contributes to the team spirit.
• Affects your response to others, and their response to you.
Respect
• Shows appreciation and empathy to team members.
• Means you take responsibility for your actions.
Resolving Conflict
• Uses negotiation and compromise skills.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Ethics
An employee with a strong set of ethics will
do his or her best to make fair, honest, and
beneficial decisions.
ethics
Your internal guidelines for
distinguishing right from wrong.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Ethics
It is not always easy to know the right thing to do. When
faced with a decision involving unclear choices, ask
yourself:
• Does the choice comply with the law?
• Is the choice fair to those involved?
• Does the choice harm anyone?
• Has the choice been communicated
honestly?
• Can I live with the choice without guilt?
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Wages and Benefits
When you accept a job, you trade your skills and services
for money. You may be paid in the form of
• hourly wages—a certain amount per hour.
• a salary—a set amount regardless of hours
worked.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Wages and Benefits
In addition to your salary or wages, your employer may
offer benefits, including
• paid vacation and sick days.
• health, life, dental, and accident insurance.
• disability insurance.
• savings and investment plans for retirement.
• tuition reimbursement.
• onsite child care.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Employee Support
Your employer will
• provide a clear outline of your responsibilities and
expectations.
• provide all the equipment or training you need to do your
job well.
• show you how to do an assigned task with the available
resources.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Safe Working Conditions
Your employer will
•eliminate any recognized health and safety hazards.
•inform employees of dangerous conditions or materials.
•maintain records of job-related illnesses and injuries.
•comply with environmental-protection policies for safely
disposing of waste materials.
•provide conditions or equipment that help prevent injury.
•provide financial workers’ compensation.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
If you work for an employer who has fewer
than four employees and is not required to
offer workers’ compensation, you might
consider buying your own disability
insurance.
workers’ compensation
Employers are required by state laws to provide
compensation to cover medical expenses and lost
wages if you are injured on the job and cannot work.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Fair Labor Practices
Employees have the right
• to have an equal opportunity to obtain and keep
employment.
• to be paid a fair wage.
• to be considered fairly for promotion.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Some employers pay entry-level workers
more than the required minimum wage.
minimum wage
The lowest hourly amount a worker can earn legally.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Employees who may have to work extra
hours during holidays or other peak times
may be eligible for compensatory time.
compensatory time
Wages paid to hourly employees who work overtime
(more than 40 hours per week).
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Workers in the United States are guaranteed
the right to join a labor union, some of which
include child care teachers and aides.
labor union
An organization of workers in a similar field.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
In collective bargaining, leaders of labor
unions act as the voice of their members.
collective bargaining
The process of workers and employers agreeing to
working conditions, contracts, and benefits.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Employers are required to protect their
employees from discrimination in the
workplace.
discrimination
Unfair treatment based on age, gender, race,
ethnicity, religion, physical appearance, disability,
or other factors.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
If you believe you are the victim of sexual
harassment, report the incident to your
supervisor immediately so the employer can
investigate the matter and take action.
sexual harassment
Any unwelcome verbal or physical behavior of a
sexual nature.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Many employers consider a worker’s first 90
days a probation period.
probation
A period in which an employer observes the employee’s work
and behavior in order to assess whether the employee is fit to
remain with the company.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Employer Responsibilities
Performance Evaluations
During a performance evaluation, your employer may
examine things such as your
• job knowledge and how you apply that knowledge.
• willingness to work cooperatively in a team.
• ability to communicate effectively on the job.
• attitude and workplace ethic.
• Performance evaluations are an opportunity to evaluate
your career goals.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Advancing on the Job
Advancement can mean
• a promotion.
• a new position at the
same job level but with
more responsibilities at
a higher rate of pay.
• leaving for a better job
elsewhere.
• beginning your own
business.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Advancing on the Job
Qualities that can help you advance in your
career include
• showing initiative.
• showing a desire to
learn.
• finding a mentor.
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Chapter 2: Employability Skills
Terminating Employment
• Keep your job search to yourself until you have a new
job.
• Research, list, and analyze the jobs or careers in
which you are interested.
• Avoid missing work to attend interviews.
• Give sufficient notice that you are terminating your
employment.
• Leave a good impression—your last few weeks will
be remembered.
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