Tag Archives: soft skills

A Good Work Ethic: How Will It Help?

A good work ethic, like fine wine, takes years to develop. It is probably the single most important asset an older worker has, for example, to sell him or herself to the organized corporate band of gypsies that represent the fierce job market of today. A work ethic is dynamic and is always a work in progress. If you want to hone yours, read on for a few thoughts on the matter. First of all, a work ethic must be sincere. If you love your work, it will be easier to develop an appreciation for it; if you don’t, the … Continue reading →

Self-Esteem and The Job Search

I once heard about a sign on a church door that read: “Self-Esteem Group Meets Thursday Night. Use Back Door.” If this seems to represent a self-fulfilling prophesy, that’s because it does. The philosopher, René Descartes, was partially right when he said, “I think, therefore I am.” He just needed to amend it a bit for modern consumption so that it reads: “I think I can’t and so I can’t.” Self-esteem is a valued possession even when you are not looking for a job and that’s because it is not easy to come by. Women seem to have more of … Continue reading →

What Are Hard and Soft Skills?

We all have both hard and soft skills within us, which are a part of our personality and emotional make-up. The question is: how can we use them when we are looking for a job? How can we make them more marketable, or can we? First, we should define what they are. Hard skills are specific and can be easily taught, such as being able to read or type a letter. They represent the minimum skills necessary to do a job and are the first screen employers use to weed out applicants who are obviously not qualified for the position … Continue reading →