Career Readiness Competencies Worksheet

Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

Examples include:

• Set goals for your future career
• Seek out opportunities to learn; ask questions that show curiosity
• Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses
• Create a plan to help yourself grow and improve in areas that may need development

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization. This includes both verbal and written communication.

Examples include:

• Actively listen to colleagues during meetings and conversations
• Be mindful of different learning styles, communication abilities, and cultural differences
• Be aware of your body language and non-verbal communication
• Ask appropriate questions from your supervisor, colleagues, and others

Identify and respond to the needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

Examples include:

• Use reliable and diverse sets of sources to gather and analyze information
• Solve problems and make decisions using sound reasoning
• Consider diverse perspectives when communicating action steps and rationale for your decisions
• Be able to multi-task if you work in a fast-paced environment

Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different cultures and backgrounds. Engage in anti-oppressive practices that actively challenge they systems, structures, and policies of racism and inequity.

Examples include:

• Make decisions only after soliciting feedback from multiple stakeholders and perspectives
• Be an advocate for others in your workplace, especially those who come from historically marginalized communities
• Keep an open mind when others express new ideas
• Be adaptable and demonstrate flexibility

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

Examples include:

• Inspire others as you work toward a shared goal
• Seek out and be open to receiving feedback from others
• Be innovative and express creative ideas
• Take charge on projects by initiating, planning, managing, and completing tasks

Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

Examples include:

• Be present and prepared
• Demonstrate personal accountability, while also holding others accountable
• Prioritize and complete tasks in a timely manner
• Show attention to detail by making as few errors as possible in your work

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

Examples include:

• Listen carefully to others and ask clarifying questions to make sure you understand what they are saying
• Be willing to compromise
• Build strong, positive relationships with your supervisor, colleagues, and other coworkers
• Interact with and respect diverse personalities

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

Examples include:

• Be open to learning new technologies
• Utilize technology in a way that improves your efficiency and productivity
• Use technology to achieve goals
• Identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks