EMPLOYABILITY: THE GOAL OF A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT
Many students expect instant employment after they have completed their higher education studies, but their elation on passing their final exams often turns to disappointment as they battle to sell their skills on the job market. For some students it may take several months or even years before they find viable employment. Of course the market for qualifications in certain fields is very competitive and the stated preference on the part of many prospective employers for experience frustrates many a job seeker. However, all is not lost. Effort can be made on the part of the student right from the first year of study to enhance employability prospects.

Here are some recommendations for students who will be seeking employment in the 21st century;

Take responsibility for your own career development

Nobody else is going to do it for you! Take the time to assess yourself and engage in self inquiry and self reflection on a regular basis. Ask yourself the following questions: What are my interests, my values, career goals, my strengths and weaknesses? What really motivates me? How can I further develop my strengths? What can I do to improve my weak areas? What specific skills do I need to develop in order to enhance my employability?

Enter the job market with marketable skills

Academic training alone will not be sufficient to get you that job, although good marks will certainly help you to get selected for an initial screening process. Build up a portfolio of transferable skills i.e. skills gained in one context which can be transferred to another. Make use of opportunities to develop such skills. Involvement in part-time or voluntary work, sport, social and cultural activities will expose you to all kinds of situations that will enhance skill development. Leadership, communication, conflict management, teamwork, discipline and time management are examples of such skills. Make use of opportunities and resources both on and off campus. Deal with your own apathy and reluctance to move out of your comfort zone!

Research your field of expertise

Find out as much as you can about job opportunities in the local and global market. The Internet, campus career resource centres, company brochures, newspapers and specialised magazines can be useful in this regard. Conduct information interviews with job incumbents in your field in order to gain knowledge of the working environment and latest developments.

Network

In addition to making use of the media and personnel consultancies, develop a network of contacts who can put you in touch with that sought after job. Most positions are found in this way!

Consider your own business as an option

Consider starting your own business instead of depending on others to provide you with employment. If you think this is likely to be an option for you, get involved with entrepreneurship activities while you are studying. Whether you are self-employed or an employee, acting in an enterprising way will give you the competitive edge.

Learn how to present and market yourself successfully

Your CV and other documents such as the covering letter and application forms must create a favourable impression. Employers are more interested in what you have done with your talents than in what talents you possess. Your CV should therefore reflect what you have accomplished and learned from your various experiences. You need to practise your interview skills and prepare in advance for the types of questions you may be expected to answer. Attend job-seeking skills training, career fairs, talks by employers and avail yourself of self-help information available in campus resource centres and on the Internet.

Become aware of current trends in the world of work and adapt accordingly

The 21st century world of work is dynamic and ever-changing. Globalization and the impact of technology have resulted in vast changes in markets. International mergers have brought about a reduction in direct jobs but have released potential for small business enterprises, co-operative and contract work. Companies are giving out functions to their suppliers, outsourcing, or entering into joint ventures, all of which open up opportunities for entrepreneurs. With expanding technology, many small businesses can compete in the international marketplace just as easily as multinational corporations do. Stable and secure positions have disappeared and there is no longer an emphasis on job security and company loyalty. Organizations have relinquished the responsibility for employees professional development. The journey up the bureaucratic ladder is largely a thing of the past.

What counts most in the 21st century world of work is the ability to sell your skills. Most workers will change jobs several times in a lifetime. Workers will move around selling their skills. It is essential to enter the job market with marketable skills. You will need to make sales presentations to potential buyers, possibly from all over the world. Some individuals will probably never hold down a job as such, but will move from contract to contract. In this new world of work there is an emphasis on continuous learning, as knowledge rapidly becomes outdated. Keeping up with the latest technology will be essential. You need to be prepared to be constantly upgrading your knowledge and skills throughout your working life.

These developments call for characteristics of flexibility and adaptability on the part of individuals. In the face of uncertainty and constant challenge, considerable resilience will have to be developed. Some may find the pressing need to adapt to changing circumstances somewhat stressful. In the new scenario teamwork and the ability to collaborate, learn and work together with others will feature significantly in the career landscape.

Different values are emerging with regard to what constitutes work success. Career development researchers predict that most workers in future will tend to gauge their success in terms of their own personal fulfillment. They will tend to choose work that will be compatible with their own unique skills, knowledge, personality, interests and values.  I would like to conclude with some advice from a career development specialist: Pursue your own vision of psychological success. .... Knowing what you are, and want to be is the surest path to creating a fulfilling life.  Learn how to learn from everyday challenges. You are in career development class every day. ....The more you can develop yourself, the stronger you will be in the sense of being employable (Brown, 1996, p 25)

This article was taken from "The Counsellor", Volume 4 Issue 1, 2002 by Edith Buchanan, Senior Student Counsellor.

References
Brown, Tom, Pursuing the Protean employee, Management Review, 1996, 85,24-25

Hall, Douglas T., Protean careers of the 21st century Academy of Management Executive, 1996, 10, 8-16 Career Development Manual: Introduction:    .