Qualifications are vital, but what other elements can boost your career prospects? Absolutely Education lines up four really useful life skills to work on
The degree or higher qualification is still a gold-standard to indicate you know how to learn and have knowledge in a specific field, but academic study is unlikely to hold much sway in the competitive working world if you don’t have other assets to mark you out as savvy, useful and good to work with. Three out of four of these don’t cost money, and all of them will improve your prospects, in life as well as work.
Learn to drive
There was a time when ‘full clean driving licence’ was standard on a CV. The cost of driving and the absence of lessons and tests during the pandemic have slowed down this pipeline of young drivers – making driving skills a distinct asset. Passing your test is expensive – around £1,700 including lessons and test fees is not unusual. Then there’s the sky-high cost of insurance in the first few years, so the investment can easily run to £4,000 plus to get on the road. But consider this against the cost of a degree (around £28,000 excluding living costs) and it doesn’t sound so bad. A driving licence is a qualification that opens up an array of stopgap job possibilities, and more options in choosing where to live.
Most critical is to consider the value of a driving licence to your chosen field. There are plenty of highly skilled roles – from conservation work in rural areas to engineering around urban centres – where driving may be an essential. As one engineer in the construction industry says: “I get so many great CVs from engineers in their mid 20s who don’t drive. Our work includes site visits for monitoring, often in inaccessible locations and carrying complex and expensive testing equipment. Without a driving licence, engineers can’t get there – it’s not as if they can catch a bus”.
Talk on the phone
Nothing shows up the divide between Gen Z and oldsters like talking on the phone. There’s a suspicion that Gen Z think it’s better to send 20 texts or emails than make one single two-minute call. Oldsters have a point, since a widely reported Sky Mobile poll published last summer found that over a quarter of 18–24-year-olds don’t pick up the phone and almost a fifth would only make a call in an emergency. Almost half (47%) prefer a text to warn them of an incoming call.
“A quarter of 18–24-year-olds don’t pick up the phone and almost a fifth would only make a call in an absolute emergency”
In the working world, where time is money and many older colleagues still like the directness and speed of a quick chat, being phone shy won’t mark you out as boardroom material. Confidence on the phone also helps with life – better deals on everything from holidays to loans can often be negotiated verbally. Business conducted by phone can be intimidating, but planning what you need to convey, then keeping it short and courteous – also remembering to speak slowly, pause and listen – are skills that can be learnt and then improved. Answering calls that you’re not expecting adds extra pressure to think on your feet but, ‘let me find out and get back to you’ is a time-honoured response to cover off most eventualities.
Become a planner
A recent survey among US managers highlighted lack of preparation as one of the top five reasons why candidates don’t get the job. If you’ve aced the interview by being the one who did prepare, don’t blow it when you join. Failing to research train times and arriving late for that group lunch or logging in to an external Teams meeting in your t-shirt to find everyone in suits because they read that ‘smart dress’ memo are avoidable workplace fails. You may be forgiven, but don’t be surprised if you’re not invited next time.
Pretty much every workplace scenario is improved if you’ve come prepared. It is time consuming and dull, but it pays dividends in reducing feelings of being out of your depth and is almost certain to increase respect and trust from colleagues. Asking questions is all part of planning, but no colleague should be expected to hold your hand, so don’t ask a thousand questions that a bit of simple research can answer. Also observe what others are doing and listen to what they say – it’s the best way to learn.
Make small talk
For some reason, online networking is considered cool, while face-to-face small talk is not. But don’t underestimate its importance in working life. If you can chat with the team at the front desk and share friendly words with colleagues over the water cooler, you are raising your profile in a ‘soft power’ way and people will appreciate the fact you make the effort.
A piece on LinkedIn by Tchiki Davis at the start of last year highlighted the science behind small talk and pointed to the fact that it’s a way of establishing a bond and feelings of solidarity. Be it the weather, sporting fixtures or weekend plans, it’s not what you talk about but the way you go about it. These chats are empathetic, which means making eye contact, letting others talk, remembering details previously shared with you and showing kindness when someone is having a hard day.
Small talk is also useful. When you need to ask about a salary review or request extra holiday, it is usually better to open with something light. Asking after your line manager’s dog or discussing how their team did can ease the tension of an awkward conversation and, who knows, it may even mean they agree to your request.
Prospect guidance on what employers want
Further reading: Are you studying the right A levels?
You may also like...
