Getting a new job is hard. Getting a new job in a whole new field can be confusing, too. What are employers looking for? How do you show them what you’re capable of if you don’t have a portfolio in their industry?
Calbright was designed to help Californians find these answers and take the right next steps. That’s why we closely follow organizations like the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) who conduct research on what makes for successful careers and successful career transitions. Our programs are based on up-to-date information about getting you access to better jobs.
The Crucial Job Skills for Every Industry
NACE has identified eight different “career competencies” that are transferable across industries and careers. If you can show you have experience and skill in these areas, you’ll be a strong candidate wherever you interview.
Their career competencies are:
- Career and Self-Development – do you keep learning and making connections?
- Communication – can you clearly exchange ideas and perspectives with people in and out of your organization?
- Critical Thinking – can you identify the needs of a new situation and respond to them appropriately?
- Equity and Inclusion – can you engage well with people from different local and global cultures? Can you identify structures and policies that need to change to be more inclusive and equitable?
- Leadership – can you recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals?
- Professionalism – can you understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace?
- Teamwork – can you build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities?
- Technology – can you learn new programs and use them ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals?
A New Career Is Easier Than You Think
Any jobs you’ve held in the past, any volunteer experiences you’ve had, any household management you’ve done, have given you opportunities to practice and demonstrate these competencies.
At Calbright, our academic programs teach you the tech skills that hiring managers are looking for, while our career readiness programs make sure that you are able to demonstrate your skills on your resume and in interviews.
College education still matters. It matters more than ever. But increasingly employers are looking for the right skills rather than the right diplomas. That means it’s easier than you think to move into a new career. Often, with just the addition of a little technical knowledge, you’ll discover you’re already the candidate employers are looking for.
