ARE YOU READY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY JOB MARKET? .
Even though these reports can be daunting, there are still great opportunities available for many college graduates. In order to obtain these opportunities, college graduates must understand the new job market in the 21st Century. For example, according to the author of article mentioned above, in order for college graduates to succeed in the 21st Century job market, he suggested that college graduates obtain a bachelor's degree in college and develop specific skill sets which are transferable into the job market. In Fall 2012, The National Association of College Employers revealed that approximately 80% of employers look for leadership experience on a potential job candidates resume before the interview.
Ultimately, what does this means for college graduates? If you are going to thrive in the 21st Century, it is important to develop the right leadership skills for your desired professional area of expertise. In addition, it is critical that our future graduates develop the transferable skills necessary to compete in the current job market.
My objective with this month's newsletter is to provide you with five specific leadership questions that every college graduates must ask themselves if they are going to have the competitive advantage in the 21st Century job market.
Do you have Exceptional Character?
There are many definitions used to define character as it relates to leadership. Personally, I like to define character as it relates to leadership as becoming a leader that is not only ethical and morally sound in your actions, but able to meet the demands of the tasks and people in an excellent manner. In essence, a leader who has character is someone who does the right thing and has the ability and skill to perform a required job in an excellent manner.
Essentially, if you can develop the skills and behaviors necessary to become this type of person in your area of expertise, it can provide you with the competitive advantage needed in the 21st Century Job market.
Do you have People Competence?
When I think about a leader who possesses people competence, I think about a person who knows how to effectively work, lead, and get the most out of a diverse group of people. In essence, an individual who is effective at working, leading, and getting the most out of people with different cultural backgrounds, personalities, perspectives, ways of living, and leadership styles is someone that I consider has amazing people competence skills.
With the increased diversity of our workplaces, organizations, communities, nation, and world, this is probably one of the most valuable leadership skills that can enable a student to obtain the competitive advantage in the 21st Century Job market.
Do you have Exceptional People Skills?
One of the most important lessons that every college graduate must be aware of in the 21st Century Job market is, obtaining your dream job is not just about going to a career fair and giving an employer a resume. It's about networking and connecting with others in your desired area of expertise, building a positive relationship with people who are in your desired area of expertise, and surrounding yourself with mentors and peer mentors that are there to help you obtain career leadership success in your desired area of expertise.
Essentially, in order to effectively network, connect, and build these positive relationships in your life, you must develop amazing people skills. These skills will enable you to be fruitful in this aspect of your life.
Do you have Self-Awareness?
I talk about self-awareness a lot as it relates to leadership and others areas of our lives because knowing who you are is one of the keys to obtaining personal, relationship, career, and leadership success. The primary reason this concept is so important is because when a person discovers their strengths, passion, love, emotional intelligence, unique personality, and special things about self, it helps them make the right decisions, choose the right professional area of expertise, and position themselves for great personal, career, and leadership success.
In the 21st Century, it is important to be adaptable to different working environments. It is critical that an individual knows what professional area of expertise is great fit for them as well.
Do you have a Heart of Service?
When I think about a leader who has a heart of service, I think about a person who has a desire to help others, make others around them better, and make a difference in their organization, community, nation, and world. In the 21st Century job market, it is important for individuals to become someone who has a desire to help others, to learn how to make others around you better and to enhance every organization you are a part.
The reason this leadership behavior is so important is because people who are effective at making others around them better and enhancing the organizations they are part of are the ones that ultimately obtain success and become the great leaders within our culture and society.
As you might imagine, there are definitely more leadership questions that we can ask ourselves if we desire to have the competitive advantage in the 21st Century job market. But, if we can develop and perfect the leadership skills listed in this month's newsletter, I believe that we will see the success that accompanies these different leadership questions listed above.
