KEY CAREER SKILLS WORKBOOK

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CAREER SKILLS WORKBOOK

KAGIN COMMONS • (651)696-6384 • EMAIL: [email protected] SKYPE: MACCDC • www.macalester.edu/cdc

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HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE Macalester students obtain extensive skills through academic coursework, research, experiential learning, internships and jobs. This guide will help you develop skills in talking about these skills. In interviewing and networking, often candidates are asked to tell a story that highlights their utilization of a specific skill. Telling a cohesive and concise story that highlights your role and outcomes takes planning and preparation. Using the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) data on skills desired by employers, this guide offers step-by-step workbook to brainstorm examples where you demonstrated these desired skills. Using those examples, you can then develop a cohesive story to be used in an application, networking and/or an interview. EXAMPLE:

VERBAL COMMUNICATION Examples where I demonstrated strong verbal communication skills. -Work-study job: Reservations Assistant -Summer Camp Counselor: working with parents, kids ages 8-12 -Group Project in Anthropology 4 team members -Volunteer work at Humane Society TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details & resolution. Situation: Front Desk at Humane Society. During busy weekends, several dozen families would come into see and potentially adopt an animal. Worked with 4 other volunteers, and reported to a full-time manager.

Task: Concisely explain procedures to prospective adopting families, introduce them to animals needing homes, answer their questions. Specific Task: Annual Cat Rescue Day with more than 80 cats needing homes, and several dozen prospective families.

Action: Work with manager to identify flow of families. Coordinated 1 specific part of the adoption process by coordinating all visiting rooms with pets. Worked with colleagues to ensure families would not wait more than 5-10 minutes to visit with their prospective pet, and could receive info on adoption process in the meantime.

Results : More than 50 cats were adopted that day, greatly increasing Humane Society’s ongoing capacity for animals needing homes. 75 families visited Humane Society with good evaluations of the event and festivities. No families left or were discouraged due to busy environment.

WRITING SKILLS Examples where I demonstrated strong writing skills:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

VERBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS Examples where I demonstrated strong verbal communication skills:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS SKILLS Examples where I demonstrated strong quantitative analysis skills:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

LEADERSHIP Examples where I demonstrated strong leadership skills:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

PROBLEM SOLVING Examples where I demonstrated strong problem solving skills:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

TEAMWORK Examples where I demonstrated strong skills working in a team:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

WORK ETHIC & ABILITY TO TAKE INITIATIVE Examples where I demonstrated a strong work ethic and ability to take initiative:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

ATTENTION TO DETAIL Examples where I demonstrated a strong attention to detail:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

ATTENTION TO DETAIL Examples where I demonstrated a strong attention to detail:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

FLEXIBILITY Examples where I demonstrated an ability to be flexible:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

TECHNICAL SKILLS Examples where I demonstrated specific technical skills desired in the field:

TELL A GOOD STORY. Include necessary set-up, details and resolution. SITUATION: TASK: ACTION: RESULT:

THESE ARE JUST A SAMPLE OF SEVERAL OF THE MOST DESIRED SKILLS FROM A BROAD SURVEY OF U.S. EMPLOYERS. USE AND ADAPT THIS MODEL FOR ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE HIGHLIGHTED IN A JOB DESCRIPTION.

Notes:

Next Steps:

Highlighted CDC Services Career Counseling Appointments for: • Clarify strengths & interests • Discuss potential career plans • Review resume • Plan job search strategies • Interview prep Networking & Personal Branding: • Tools to Access Mac Alumni • Social Media Inventory • LinkedIn Profile Review

Complimentary CDC Guides • Resume & C.V. Guide • Job Search Skills • Informational Interviewing • Developing a Professional Online Presence

All guides are available for download on the CDC Web site.

N ee d h e lp ? Q u es t io n s ? • Scheduled 30- or 60-min. appointments • Drop-in Appts: M-F: 2-4pm • Appointments in person, phone & Skype.

Connect with CDC

Updated August 2013. Please contact the CDC for permission to reprint. CDC/Marketing&Brochures/FinalGuidesAugust2013