In one of their publications, PeoplePrime, a strategic agent in human resource management matters, emphasized that academic grades and employability have been issues of high debate across the global business environment. It is such that traditional recruitment strategy across various organisations in the past, placed emphasis on candidates with high academic grades. However, with the globalization of business and technological advancement, requirements for success in the workplace have taken a paradigm shift to the side of skills.
My experience in HR – specifically in recruitment – points to the fact that most candidates spend time rehearsing for interviews and how to get the job but hardly think about what will help them create value when eventually employed.
The 21st century workplace is highly dynamic with the forces of globalization, ICT, corporate governance and ethics reshaping its landscape. It is no longer business as usual going by the highly competitive nature of business. If you are not up there, the chances are that you may get swallowed up. This has made businesses and organizations to rely on highly competent and skilled staff to deliver the needed value and sustainability the times demand.
Getting a job is one thing, sustaining it is most crucial! It is no small matter for employers. It is either employees are contributing maximally to corporate objectives and goals or get the boot. Sometime a school of thought has argued that it is not the fault of fresh graduates that they are not equipped for the world of work and that is why they cannot perform in the place of work. My reaction is that no school prepares you totally to succeed in the workplace; at best they may give you the push or what I called the eye opener. Succeeding in the workplace requires that you take absolute responsibility. Playing the blame game will not solve the challenge most especially in a nation like Nigeria where there is a strong disconnect between what is obtainable in the universities and colleges and the requirements for success in the workplace.
If things have not improved on the government side, the best we can do is structure a personal development plan and diligently pursue it. It is a key to succeeding in any career or workplace.
Developing yourself in skill areas like communication skills that includes presentation and writing skills is absolutely vital. This is one critical skill for success in today’s workplace. The ability to influence people, customers, board members and colleagues through articulate and well-structured presentation of facts and information, persuading for action and result. Sometimes, I don’t feel like talking about ICT skill because I think it is something every person seeking or pursuing a career should have considering the trend in the world of business and work. I got a shocker recently when I made a referral for a graduate position only for the lady to resume and could not operate the desktop she was provided with. Unfortunately but not surprisingly, she was fired.
Your ICT skill must be upbeat. You should flexibly play around with Microsoft office tools, email and social media. Succinctly and among many other key skills, communication and ICT skill are generic skills for success in today’s workplace. Go for them, they will arm and prepare you for effective service and value delivery.
About the Writer: Ighoro Alexander is a licenced and certified Human Resource Management practitioner. He is the Lead Partner, Bethel and Spring Consulting Ltd – a human resource training and development firm. Ighoro holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension and actively belongs to several professional bodies in Nigeria. They include Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Nigerian Institute of Training and Development. To his credit are publications on international journals and a book titled
“The Power Of Self Improvement”. His interests are Performance Management, System and Structure Development, Organisational design, Leadership, Recruitment and Executive selection, Career Development etc. He is married with children.
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This article was first published on 9th June 2015
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