Unit 1 - Communication and employability skills in IT 

P1 - Explain the personal attributes valued by employers

Almost every employers is looking for the best of the best for their company. The job market is becoming allot smaller and it's harder to get a job. Which is why you need to meet the requirements of your desired job, otherwise someone else will take it! There are particular attributes employers look for, for a specific job.

When employers are looking for new members for their company they need to make sure they are making the right choices. They value specific employee attributes to find who’s best for the job, these are very important, especially in the IT industry. These are evry important since jobs are getting harder and harder to get.

Firstly, it is important that you have specific, job related knowledge. For example, technical knowledge, this includes hardware, software and security. You will obviously need this knowledge if you are going for a job in IT or related to IT. This is because you are going to find the job very difficult and wouldn’t be very effective at your job, which is not what the employer is looking for. You also would need to be up to date with technology. For example, knowing and learning about the new updates and software that is on the market since the company you are working for is most likely to upgrade to the next best thing when possible!

There are a lot of general attributes that they tend to look for, which includes:

• planning and organisational skills
• time management
• team working
• verbal and written communication skills
• numeric skills and creativity

Time management is very important, this is because you have to make sure you will have enough time to do your work, and make sure you can fit work in anytime it is needed. You should be able to plan out when you are going to do work and tasks, this way you make sure your work is done then you have time to do whatever you want.

Verbal and written communications skills are needed in almost every job. This shows that you can communicate in anyway, being verbally or over the internet, or even pen and paper. This shows that you can send emails and do other things like write letters. Having good communication skills means that you know how to do it too. You know how to talk to someone about certain things. You don’t just need good English skills, you also need good numeric skills and creativity! Having these skills doesn’t just make you look better or smarter but it allows you to do more in your work space. Creativity is needed in many jobs, for example, a graphics designer, If you’re a graphics designer you cant just keep using the same design or layout, it would get boring and old, you have to keep things new and fresh!

Team working is also very important. The employer needs to know that you can not only work well independently but also work well with others. This lets them know that if there is a big task that needs doing, you wouldn’t mind working effectively with others to get the job done. This also links to having a good tolerance, since there may be people you don’t like in your work place, but you will get along with it if it means getting the job done, the employer will be happy to hear you can put your problems aside and be responsible. This leads me to my next attributes…

There are plenty of things an employer looks for, a big one is your attitude. Attitudes such as:

• determination
• independence
• working with integrity
• tolerance
• dependable
• problem solving
• leadership skills
• confidence
• self-motivation

Your attitude towards your job should consist of some of the above. A big one is Confidence, this shows the employer you know your stuff, and you know what you’re talking about. This also makes people look up to you, making it easier to along with people. Being confident allows you to work effectively in a group since you wouldn’t be shy to share your ideas or even be a team leader.  This leads me to talk about Leadership skills; it’s a great attribute to have. It makes it easier for your boss to put you in charge of a team or group knowing that you are a good leader and can do what is asked. It shows you’re willing to listen and help other people.

Determination and self-motivation is a great combination. It shows that no matter what, you will get your work done. It shows that no matter how big or small the task it will get done, and on time. This is because being determined means you will do it, you want to get it done before you do anything. Self motivation is key, most people get bored of their jobs and it can become very dull to do work,. But if you have self motivation, it means that you will push your self to do the job/work even if you cannot be bothered or would rather do something else. It tells the employer that you are committed to the job.

IT health and safety is very important, this is because you may not notice the damage now but in years time you will notice what damage it has done by not following the safety precautions. For example, if you constantly use a computer eventually you will get R.S.I which means you get strains in your wrist from using your mouse constantly. Eventually an operation would be needed to help your wrist. Another example would be your eye sight, you could have perfect eye sight and after years of IT work, you may find that you need glasses, and not because of age.