{"id":246423,"date":"2020-04-09T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/246423\/get-a-jump-on-the-job-market\/"},"modified":"2020-04-08T14:01:45","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T12:01:45","slug":"get-a-jump-on-the-job-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2020\/04\/09\/get-a-jump-on-the-job-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Get a jump on the job market"},"content":{"rendered":"

Technical skills are always important, but alone they are no longer sufficient for ambitious graduates seeking to build a successful career, an education expert explained.<\/p>\n

Because in today\u2019s constantly changing and fast-paced global environment, employers seek out those graduates who are resilient and can build long-term relationships with customers, colleagues, communities and other business partners.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

\u201cThe ability to get on well with people and actively build relationships among all role-players and stakeholders is now more important than ever, and absolutely essential for those graduates seeking to distinguish themselves in the job market,\u201d said Wonga Ntshinga, senior head of programme: faculty of ICT at The Independent Institute of Education.<\/p>\n

Ntshinga said that while relationship-building comes naturally to some people, others have to work on it.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

\u201cWhichever category you belong to, it is essential for all graduates to exercise their muscle when it comes to working well with your team, fostering cohesion and communicating effectively,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ntshinga said there are four competencies that support the effective performance and career growth of graduates beyond their field of academic expertise, and advises students to start developing these as soon as possible \u2013 with the help of their institution\u2019s support services if need be – and build on them post-graduation.<\/p>\n

Communication:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEffective communication is perhaps the most important competency to develop, because it is one that is not readily replaceable by technology,\u201d Ntshinga said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunicating effectively allows you to build relationships, listen carefully, influence matters and build empathy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ntshinga said graduates should aim to use, as far as possible, simple language devoid of jargon when communicating with colleagues.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are in technical field, use standard terminology and use the appropriate terms correctly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a graduate, you need to learn how to clearly communicate your messages to your colleagues and management, as miscommunication has the potential to negatively affect even the execution of your work and projects.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ntshinga added that it is essential that graduates understand they will be working with multiple people across multiple projects.<\/p>\n

\u201cEffective communicators understand how tone, body language, and context change the meaning of words.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, as a graduate, learn how to craft and package your messages – written and oral – in such a way that the message is clear and easily understandable, whether you are giving instructions to your team, or whether you are explaining strategy to management.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interpersonal relationship-building:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Related to the above, graduates must develop how they relate to colleagues, managers and customers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso called enduring skills or soft skills, developing your ability to build relationships will help you become tactful, diplomatic, and eventually an excellent negotiator and mediator \u2013 all traits that are in high demand in our increasingly race, age, gender and culturally diverse workplaces,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ALSO READ:<\/p>\n

Pre-winter home preparations<\/a><\/p>\n

How to survive a kitchen renovation<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Analytical savvy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The willingness and ability to problem-solve issues in the workplace is a major competitive advantage, said Ntshinga.<\/p>\n

\u201cSet yourself apart by trying to find solutions, rather than simply pointing out problems and waiting for others to solve them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen faced with complex problems, break the main issues down into smaller components, and start where you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Business acumen:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do as much as you can to develop beyond your current position, Ntshinga advised.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to study and understand the trade of your organisation – its clients, staff and stakeholders,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to demonstrate expert insight into aspects of the business outside of your area of expertise, and understand the broader operating environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou also need to constantly develop your complementary skills, for instance by doing related short courses, to remain competitive.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy merely knuckling down and focusing on your daily tasks alone, you limit your resilience and ability to adapt to new roles if changes are introduced in the business.\u201d<\/p>\n

In today\u2019s competitive environment, with many graduates competing for limited positions and career advancement opportunities, employers naturally seek those graduates who can offer the full package, and get on with the job from day one without needing to be micro-managed, Ntshinga said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are able to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to personal and professional development beyond the subject expertise you gained as a graduate, you will effectively boost your personal brand and position yourself strongly to advance your career,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell-rounded graduates displaying the aforementioned traits are hugely attractive to any company seeking to appoint those who can boost the strategic competitiveness of their teams, rather than just employing those who tick off tasks without demonstrating their commitment to growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Also follow us on:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/p>
\n