Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
ILO DG and UNICEF chief sign MoU on Skills Development
News source: unmgcy.org
The ILO DG and UNICEF chief were delighted to sign a memorandum of understanding on Skills Development on 8th of October.
“It’s a commitment to joint action on improving youth employment prospects in the #COVID19 context and a blueprint for collaboration on lifelong learning in support of the #SDGs” tweeted, Mr Guy Ryder, DG, ILO
On the 27th of September, Generation Unlimited (GenU) and Decent Jobs for Youth (DJY) brought young people together to share their experiences having benefited from programmes supported by the two organisations.
The session proved very rich as the young leaders shared their reactions to the draft MoU and their recommendations on how they envision the partnership supporting young people on the ground.
Based on consultation, it was clearly communicated that young people want to co-create a pathway for the implementation of the MoU and want to participate in its governance and decision-making processes.
A white paper was presented by a young beneficiary during the launch, ensuring the youth voice is heard. Representatives from the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) were also present.
Career
How to make a Successful Career Pivot during COVID?
Excerpts from article by Ashley Stahl published in forbes.com
Some industries are born to adapt but for many, the changes brought on by months of shutdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic have been too much to weather and the workforce has felt the impact. While businesses have been scrambling to adjust to change, so must employees. Whether you are facing a forced career shift or have taken this time as an opportunity to make a pivot, there are a few key tips to making the change a long term success.
1. Realise that your skills are applicable in more ways than one
In my coaching practice, I have come to realise that it isn’t the industry that you work in, it is often the function (the skill set and daily task execution) that brings you joy and fulfillment in work. In other terms, it’s the what of your job, the skills you’re using, not the industry you’re in, that truly matters. For example, if you’re a data-driven person, consider how you might be able to apply that skill into a data entry or analyst position, ideally for an industry that is on the rise. If you have excellent interpersonal relationships, note that online account management or customer support jobs are booming. Brick-and-mortar industries that are transitioning to a mainly online presence will need people to help set up their systems, manage customer relationships, build and develop their websites, and assist in organising and managing their new business model. Your biggest transition will be from in-person employment to the digital workplace. It’s time to start analysing your skill set and thinking about how you can adapt.
2. Communicate your relevant experience in any interview
Instead of focusing on your lack of experience in a new industry, let your prospective employer know what skills you’ve honed that cross over from one industry to another, and emphasize how that has helped you thrive in your previous environment. For example, Communication skills, Reliability, Problem solving, Punctuality and Self-discipline. These non-technical skills are called soft skills, and they are extremely important, because they determine what kind of worker you are, regardless of the setting you’re in or tactical abilities you have.
Do your research on the company and position for which you’re applying so that you can also talk about them in the context of your skills and achievements from the past. Sit down and brainstorm examples of how your previous experience can cross-pollinate into this job and industry. Grab a sheet of paper and write down all the skills you used in the past jobs— and results you created because of them. Put a star next to the skills from the past that link to the job responsibilities of your future, and review this list before you walk into the interview.
3. Have a salary in mind
Even though you might be new to this type of work, it doesn’t negate the years of time and effort you’ve put into yourself and your skill set. Be sure to take a look at average salary ranges in the market for a similar level of responsibility, before you walk in the door. Glassdoor has a “Know Your Worth” calculator that can be personalised to speak to specifics, such as your years of experience and level of education. While it’s unusual for the first interview to descend into a money conversation, have an educated understanding of the job market compensation associated with your exact responsibilities and roles.
4. Familiarise yourself with online tools now
If the internet has not been your “thing,” now is the time to learn the basics. There are plenty of online learning platforms, from MasterClass to Coursera to Lynda.com and more, to help you learn the ins and outs of essential tools such as Microsoft Office, Facebook and Google advertising, website development, and online meeting tools such as Zoom. These tools will be pivotal in most online roles, and learning how to use them beforehand will help demonstrate your drive and increase your competitiveness over someone who needs to get trained.
Review the job description and see if there are any programmes listed or research what platforms the company uses for communication and project management. From here, begin to familiar yourself with the ones you haven’t used before. This way, when you go in for an interview you can speak honestly about your experience, “I noticed I hadn’t used this programme before and started training myself on how to use it so when I step into the roll I am ready.” This shows you’ve done your research and you are already committed to the role.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the above mentioned articles are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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