Job Skills

There are many different ways to learn new things, and they all begin with you. In order to learn anything, you must first define your goals and objectives. Ask yourself what it is you’re trying to learn, and then write everything you need to do and the materials you must gather to reach that goal. If you are unsure, ask members of your family or members of your community. One of the most important skills you can develop if you’re in poverty is finding a job, and earning an income. This will help you support yourself, your family, and your community. The resources below can help you with your preparation and search for a job.

Resumes & Cover Letters

Employers and higher education institutions will often ask for a resume, which usually has your general contact information and relevant skills and experiences from your life that would make them want to hire/accept you. If you are asked for a CV, this is a longer document that goes into greater detail about your entire academic background. A student resume usually lists projects and relevant activities and skills you have, since most students are just starting out and don’t have a lot of job experience. If you want to create your own, these templates give examples of the kind of content that is important to include.

An employer may also ask for a cover letter, which is a great way to stand out from other job applicants. They should include an introduction, skills most relevant to the job, and why you would like to work for that company. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to write a cover letter and what information is best to include.

The next step is emailing the resume/CV to the employer. Here you can learn how to do it correctly.

If you find these steps challenging, you can get help from employment centers, where specialists can support you in:

  • Preparing a resume
  • Emailing the resume/CV to an employer
  • Preparing for an interview
  • Other related topics

On the website of the State Employment Agency you can find a guide for job seekers, information about vacancies and the programs implemented by the agency, as well as the contact information of your local agency branch.

Job Skills

Building job skills is all about making yourself marketable. When you start a company or work for another you must be willing to provide something. Each of us has something to provide, and it’s up to you to develop your skill so that you’re a valuable asset of the workforce.

There are two types of job skills: soft skills and hard skills. Soft skills are applicable regardless of job type. Some examples are leadership, teamwork, communication, work ethic, ect. Soft skills can be developed in a variety of ways including leadership opportunities, clubs, and community involvement. Visit the Informal Education page for information regarding these types of opportunities. 

Hard skills are more relevant to the job or career you are applying to. Examples include certificates, software, machinery, technical skills etc. These are traditionally obtained through previous job experience or schooling, but there are a lot of resources online through Youtube and other sites. Training may also be available through youth or community centers and other NGOs.

Resources

Interested in learning a new language?

Here are some websites to start your job search

References

Doyle, A. (2020, January 20). Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference? Retrieved April 23, 2020, from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/hard-skills-vs-soft-skills-2063780 

How to Write a Cover Letter. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2020, from https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/