ADDING VALUE: Cross-Discipline Skills You Can't Live Without
Employers, trying to get the best bang for their
buck, often have employees doing several different functions in
addition to their core responsibilities.
That means today's workers need to have strong cross-discipline skills to survive. The thing is, most employers won't take the time to teach new hires the additional skills - they expect them to have these cross-discipline skills already.
While there are many skills that are cross-discipline, most of them boil down to the "three C's:"
Computer.
Knowing how to use Microsoft Office is all well and good, but it's
becoming increasingly important for job seekers to know more. It's a
good idea to learn a little HTML (hypertext markup language) because
many employers require prospective employees to be web savvy - no
matter what occupation you're in. It's also a good idea to learn an
accounting package (like Money or QuickBooks). Knowing a few popular
open source software programs (like OpenOffice and Audacity) may also
be the cross-discipline skills your desired employers want.
Communication. Humorist
Dave Barry used to teach executives and other people in business how to
write clearly. He has admitted it was futile. Many can't write clearly,
which, as you might expect, causes confusion. No matter the industry,
solid writing skills are near the top of every employer's requirements
for new hires. Ditto for the ability to speak in public. Clear
communication is also a good indicator of clear thinking - which is a
hallmark of good leadership.
Calculation. On the other side of the brain from writing and speaking clearly lies math. A recent survey indicates that a large percentage of recent high school graduates have insufficient math skills. Given this, it makes sense that those who do have good math skills have a leg up on those who don't. Even writers, PR reps, human resources reps and brick layers need math skills. But having superior math skills will cross all disciplines and make job seekers more in demand.
IN THE CARAVAN: Develop skills that cross disciplines and concentrate on the "three C's:" computer, communication and calculation.
LATER TODAY: Build Your Skills for Free (Podcast)
NEXT WEDNESDAY: Two Steps Forward and One Step Back
Check out last Wednesday's posts:
ADDING VALUE: Brain Builders
ADDING VALUE PODCAST: Having an "A" Game
That means today's workers need to have strong cross-discipline skills to survive. The thing is, most employers won't take the time to teach new hires the additional skills - they expect them to have these cross-discipline skills already.
While there are many skills that are cross-discipline, most of them boil down to the "three C's:"
Computer.
Knowing how to use Microsoft Office is all well and good, but it's
becoming increasingly important for job seekers to know more. It's a
good idea to learn a little HTML (hypertext markup language) because
many employers require prospective employees to be web savvy - no
matter what occupation you're in. It's also a good idea to learn an
accounting package (like Money or QuickBooks). Knowing a few popular
open source software programs (like OpenOffice and Audacity) may also
be the cross-discipline skills your desired employers want. Communication. Humorist
Dave Barry used to teach executives and other people in business how to
write clearly. He has admitted it was futile. Many can't write clearly,
which, as you might expect, causes confusion. No matter the industry,
solid writing skills are near the top of every employer's requirements
for new hires. Ditto for the ability to speak in public. Clear
communication is also a good indicator of clear thinking - which is a
hallmark of good leadership. Calculation. On the other side of the brain from writing and speaking clearly lies math. A recent survey indicates that a large percentage of recent high school graduates have insufficient math skills. Given this, it makes sense that those who do have good math skills have a leg up on those who don't. Even writers, PR reps, human resources reps and brick layers need math skills. But having superior math skills will cross all disciplines and make job seekers more in demand. IN THE CARAVAN: Develop skills that cross disciplines and concentrate on the "three C's:" computer, communication and calculation.
LATER TODAY: Build Your Skills for Free (Podcast)
NEXT WEDNESDAY: Two Steps Forward and One Step Back
Check out last Wednesday's posts:
ADDING VALUE: Brain Builders
ADDING VALUE PODCAST: Having an "A" Game
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Comments