Research indicates that many young people may not measure up to employers' expectations in upcoming years. In addition to technical knowledge, today's employers want employees who have a strong set of soft skills. A recently-released DVD from JIST Publishing, Soft Skills in the Workplace, teaches individuals why soft skills play a critical role in their success and offers guidance for developing these key skills.
April 29, 2008
Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) April 29, 2008 -- Research indicates that the nation's young people lack the interpersonal skills needed to get ahead in the world of work and are limited in their opportunities to develop and practice these essential skills. According to research released by the America's Promise Alliance:
- Fewer than half of 15 to 17 year-old students felt they communicated well with others.
- 61 percent of 15 to17-year old students reported they often or very often practiced conflict resolution while working in teams in schools, leaving more than one-third of students without these important opportunities.
- 69 percent of 15-17 year-old students surveyed said they spend no time working at a paid job.
Such statistics worry employers and suggest that young people will be unprepared to survive--let alone get ahead--in the world of work, according to The Editors at JIST. Because business is more customer-driven in today's economy, strong interpersonal skills are qualities that employers expect from the people they hire. People who lack these skills are unlikely to achieve long-term success in the world of work. For this reason, career experts like The Editors at JIST are urging young people to learn and practice their soft skills as early as possible to ensure they meet employers' expectations when they land their first job.
In their recently-released DVD, Soft Skills in the Workplace, The Editors at JIST emphasize how soft skills, such as getting along with others, following directions, and being honest, play a more significant role in a person's job success than the technical knowledge they possess. Even the most renowned employers in the nation pursue job candidates who appear to possess a highly developed set of soft skills. In the DVD, Albert Matthews, a NASA employee, says that--more than anything--his organization seeks job candidates who demonstrate responsibility, dependability and accountability.
Young people can better understand the value of soft skills in the workplace while watching Soft Skills in the Workplace. In the DVD, The Editors at JIST guide viewers through several scenarios of various skills in action. These situations depict what behaviors will get them ahead--and get them fired--on the job and provides motivation for young people to begin developing their own soft skills to achieve future career success.
Soft Skills in the Workplace is available from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST). To view clips from the DVD, visit jist.com. To speak with The Editors at JIST, contact Natalie Ostrom.
JIST, America's Career Publisher, is a division of EMC/Paradigm Publishing and is the leading publisher of job search, career, and occupational information books, workbooks, assessments, videos and software.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/4/prweb883964.htm
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