What is job readiness? The Internet defines Job Readiness, also known as Work Readiness as: “the point at which an individual is prepared for employment based upon possession of necessary work skills, social competence, job seeking and interview skills, etc. Conceptually, job readiness fits with a traditional "first you train - then you place" approach to employment.” Job/Work Readiness, or “business soft skills”, is something employers expect their employees to know. This includes business communications, good work ethics, people skills, critical thinking and workplace relationships. It also consists of behavior such actions as being punctual, having good attendance, a presentable appearance, exhibiting good conduct, and following instructions. It is basically whatever your employer expects of you. Job/Work Readiness is normally tied to “Corporate Culture.” The Internet defines this is as “the pervasive values, beliefs and attitudes that characterize a company and guide its practices. To some extent, a company's internal culture may be articulated in its mission statement or vision statement.” Some organizations have a Corporate Culture that may expect every one to work a little overtime every day or have an unofficial “dress-up” code. The employee manual may have some of these corporate rules but most of them are unwritten rules that have evolved from the culture of upper management. Is It Necessary? There have been numerous articles over the last few years from employers complains about the lack of job readiness from new employees from returning veterans and college graduates. Some organizations claim that workplace relationship knowledge is almost as important as job knowledge. A recent study conducted by Millennial Branding and American Express (http://www.business2community.com/human-resources/6-soft-skills-every-professional-needs-0788441#!yq4GP) showed: that 61% percent of managers surveyed felt that soft skills were more important in new hires than hard skills or even technical skills. In another study by Bentley University, (http://fox11online.com/2014/02/04/millennials-struggle-with-soft-skills) a business university near Boston, found 60 percent of employers want their future employees to learn better soft skills in college and 62% of business decision makers and recruiters say that unpreparedness harms the day-to-day productivity of their businesses. Can you learn Job/Work Readiness? Yes, and it is now a requirement. I get a number of Google Alerts informing me of job readiness programs being put on by cities, EDD and local communities. Some of these programs are free for a few hours and some are pay for over a number of days. Some progressives businesses are training their own people some are sending them to special classes. You can find DVD’s and online courses on the internet by searching for Job Readiness or business soft skills.
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Job readiness, Work Readiness, soft skills,
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