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The least you need to know
By Douglas E. Welch
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The least you need to know
September 12, 2008
Douglas E. Welch
When you are looking to start or improve your career, it can be a bit daunting to consider everything you need to know in order to build the career you deserve. The work world has changed dramatically over the last 2 decades and skills that were once considered specialized and unique are now expected in entry level applicants. In order to help you get off to a good start in your first job, and open up new opportunities for a new job, below are a series of skills and a collection of knowledge that I consider, “the least you need to know.”
Many thanks to reader/listener, Twitter Friend Anthony for suggesting this topic. I’d love to hear your questions and comments, too. You can send them to me through any of my contact address including Email, Twitter, Facebook, Comments on the web site and calling my Listener Line at 818-804-5049. Get your questions answered today.
Technology
Let’s start with some technical skills that every worker needs to have today. It used to be enough that workers knew how to answer the phone, open paper mail and alphabetically sort files in manila folders, but today we are surrounded by technology. In years past, it was possible to have a career without having much computer knowledge. You could muddle through or have someone do the work for you. You could type via “hunt and peck” and not know how to copy your files to a floppy disk, but not any more. Lacking these basic skills, and more, makes it very difficult to find a job, let alone build a career.
Not knowing how to use a computer is akin to not knowing how to work a telephone. Having the ability to read and reply to email, create documents and search the Internet are some of the most basic skills required by every job. If you are uncomfortable using the computer, you need to get some training today. The computer, and everything it does, is now considered as basic a tool as the telephone or copy machine – and believe it or not there was a time when those tools were considered exotic.
For a more detailed list of “the least you need to know” about computers, read or listen to my previous article and podcast, Computing for the Everyman: The Least You Need To Know.
Business
Just as technology literacy is required in today’s workplace, a certain amount of business knowledge is also required. In the past, it was only executives and a few managers who needed to understand profit and loss statements, ROI (Return on Investment), negotiation skills, and the finer points of marketing and promotion. Today, though, every single worker in a company should have a basic understanding of these business concepts and more.
What is the difference between revenue and profit? How can your company be selling millions of dollars of merchandise and still be in the red? What is Sarbanes-Oxley and how does it effect every part of your company, down to the newest employee? What is supply and demand and how does it effect your pricing and sales?
I’m not saying that everyone needs to have an MBA, but a certain amount of business knowledge is being required of even the junior members of the staff. Even more, you can improve your job prospects and career growth dramatically by cultivating an interest and understanding of these concepts.
People
Finally, cultivating an understanding of yourself and the people around you is paramount in any career. Observe those around you who communicate well. Read books and articles on how you can develop your own skills and work more effectively with others. Develop ways of working with even the most difficult people, or find ways to move them out of your organization.
A company may have significant capital resources — manufacturing plants, huge corporate offices, great products — but without good employees, companies stumble over their own inadequacies. I am sure you have seen, and perhaps been employed, by companies that can’t seem to get out of their own way. This usually points to employees who lack a deep understanding of people, both co-workers and customers. They muddle along from one crisis to another instead of developing the people skills that are required in today’s business environment.
I hope that your company provides some opportunities for furthering your education in technology, business and people. Most good companies will, as they understand that when everyone has a base level of knowledge it can only help the company overall. Of course, if your company doesn’t provide any assistance in this area, then it is up to you to seek out this knowledge on your own. Don’t use your company’s policies as an excuse to remain ignorant. As I always preach here at Career Opportunities, your career is your responsibility. If you don’t build your career, no one is going to do it for you. Build your own base level of knowledge in these three important areas and it can only help.
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