GenYNetworking.com

Show Your Skills

Generation Y job candidates talk about the skills and personal attributes we have a lot. We write our skills on our résumé and talk about our attributes to new connections we make when networking. We share how we have applied our skills in interviews.

From being financially savvy to paying attention to detail, don’t just talk about the skills you have, but demonstrate them in your everyday life, both online and off. This display of your abilities will help build your credibility as you seek to network with different generations. It will also help networking connections, references and employers cite specific examples of your skills and make you more memorable.

Here a few simple suggestions:

• Many of my peers list the ability to use Microsoft Office on their résumé. Instead of just saying that you are familiar with this basic software (isn’t almost everyone anyway?) share your PowerPoint presentations on SlideShare. Show you can demonstrate the information you know in a way that is presentable.
• Instead of just saying that you have experience with social media, give exact URLs to social networking sites that you use professionally so that others can see your application.
• Strong communication is an asset almost any employer looks for in an employee. Instead of just saying you have good communication skills, be responsive and ask thoughtful questions. Both online and in face-to-face communication, be clear and concise.

You’re hopefully doing these things anyway, but the point is to walk the walk. If you are not practicing the skills set you keep talking about – you probably shouldn’t name particular thing that as a skill or attribute. Have you ever caught yourself doing that?

Weekly Poll

Last week’s poll: What characteristic is most important when looking for an employee/employer?

• Understands work/life balance – 83%
• Traditional values – 17%
• Risk taker – 0%
• Environmental awareness – 0%
• Thinks about work 24/7 – 0%