This is the fifth of a five part series.
West Michigan Works! now offers workshops designed to help you bring important employability skills to your job search or current workplace—skills that West Michigan employers have identified as the ones they look for in an ideal candidate or employee.
WorkReady workshops measure how well you understand and use nine important employability skills. Over the next few weeks, we will share all nine essential skills.
Workplace management
In order to practice good workplace management you first need to know your company’s expectations for the work environment and how to manage various things, such as technology, in order to meet those expectations.
Technology plays a big role in the workplace. It can be a tool that helps us work more efficiently, but it can also be a distraction, especially when it comes to cell phones. Know your company’s cell phone policy. Even if your company has a lax policy, chatting or playing games at work is never recommended. If you must make a call during work hours, respect your co-workers and take the call outside.
According to a recent study by CareerBuilder, employers rated cellphones/texting, the internet, gossip and social media as the biggest productivity killers in the workplace. Distractions not only decrease productivity, but they can affect the quality of your work and your relationships with your employer and co-workers.
A key element to managing distractions is staying focused. Many experts recommend taking small breaks throughout the day.
Adaptability
Employers increasingly look for employees who can adapt to changes in the workplace. An employee with adaptability skills:
- is willing and able to change
- looks at things from multiple perspectives
- embraces new ideas and ways of doing things
- accepts change as a normal part of the work environment
Being adaptable not only makes you a valuable employee, it can make you a happier and more satisfied person. When faced with challenges in life, you can adapt to the situation instead of feeling hopeless and helpless.
The need for adaptability has never been greater than it is now. The ability for individuals, teams and organizations to adapt to change is the key to success in an ever-changing world.
Are you WorkReady? Click here to find a workshop near you.