by Lecia Parks Langston, Economist
Often, when I talk to employers, they bemoan the lack of skills among the young people they hire. And, I’m not talking about those high tech, skills! I’m talking about soft skills—like showing up to work, being on time, working their assigned shift, getting along with others, being willing to learn, and working hard while on the job. Even people with PhDs in high-demand fields have difficulty finding and keeping a position, if they lack “soft skills.” On the other hand, individuals with fewer technical skills can often rise to the top of a company with good hard work and great interpersonal skills.
A recent employer survey found that virtually every employer listed the following traits among those that are most desired for their workers:
Positive work ethic.
Good attitude.
Desire to learn and be trained.
Parents, I know I’m “preaching to the choir.” But, somehow, we’re not instilling this knowledge in our children. What can you do to help your child progress in the world of work? Even if they aren’t working now, there are many ways to learn responsibility at school and home. First, be a good role model—set the example. You have much more influence than you realize. Also, reinforce the importance of:
Attending school when school is in session—the quickest way to get fired is to just not show up.
Getting to class on time—no employer likes a tardy employee.
Turning assignments in on time—an employer’s bottom-line depends on workers meeting deadlines.
Completing homework assignments—workers who do a poor job, don’t get raises/promotions or they lose their employment.
Paying attention in class—everyone’s job has boring moments.
Getting along with classmates AND teachers—people who aren’t “ team players” often get shown the door.
Manners—courtesy is important.
Respect for authority—yeah, it’s the boss who decides if you still have a job.
Personal accountability—let children learn to deal with the consequences of their actions; don’t always rescue them.
Finally, hang in there! I speak from experience—I’ve survived the teen-age years of five children. Honestly, several of them misbehaved badly on their way to adulthood. Sometimes, I despaired that any of them would ever transform themselves into responsible, hard-working adults. But, they have—each and every one of them. The lessons you teach and model at home have great influence on your child’s future working life—even when those lessons seem to be totally ignored for a rebellious season!
