My blog

Tag: work ethic

  • What employability skills are important to employers?

    Finito World takes a look at what employability skills are the most important and how it can improve your career prospects

     

    Employability skills might seem to be a bit of a mouthful. But the world is becoming more competitive. A phrase which takes as long to say as to make a cup of coffee is becoming increasingly important.

    Why are employability skills so essential? It’s do first of all with the global economy, an inheritance of the settlement after the end of the Second World War. Borders are becoming more porous and businesses more international. The pool of talent competing for jobs has radically increased.

     

    The only way to meet that reality is to up your game. Gone are the days when you could stroll into Dad’s friend’s bank or law firm without an interview. Now is the time of AI interviews, and fierce competition for every role. Even roles which may not seem all that desirable are competitive.

     

    Tips for career employability

     

    So what’s necessary? First of all you need to work on your communication skills. That will be verbal and in-person, and in written communications.

     

    Sir Winston Churchill famously wrote of the importance of short, sharp memoranda that go to the point. The same is true when we are speaking aloud. Anyone starting out on their career would do well to learn to calibrate what they say. You need to put your hand up, but not seek to dominate.

     

    All that entails good listening skills, and that in turn implies teamwork. How well can you read the emotions of others? Are you able to see your way round corners? When it comes to employability skills which employers need, teamwork is important. We need to make sure we fit in.

     

    Most roles also entail some form of problem-solving. The world very rarely runs smoothly. Employers want to know that employees can engage in critical thinking and analyse situations. They need to work to the advantage of the overall organisation.

     

    Why teamwork matters

     

    One must become adept at not thinking primarily about oneself. You must ask yourself each day what you can do to further the good of a particular organisation.

     

    But no employer expects you to get everything right all the time. Setbacks and disappointments are built into business as they are into life. In a changing, rapid world mistakes happen. Employers want to see that employees have resilience and a willingness to learn.

     

    All of us has capacity for growth: career employability is to do with seeking to foster those capacities. You must not turn your back on any notion of self-improvement at the first crisis or letdown.

     

    If you can do that, you’ll be well on the way to developing leadership skills within yourself: employers often say they’re looking for self-starters. You must demonstrate over a reasonable period of time that you are able to arrive at the answer to difficult questions on your own. Then management will start to consider you for a leadership role.

     

    That will take time – and perhaps that will imply patience. But at the same time, it is to do with work ethic. That is an area where young people can really differentiate themselves. The famous West Coast lawyer John Quinn used to take his cohort of new arrivals down to the lake on his estate. He would say: “Swim to the other side!” The first two to enter the water would get jobs at the end of it.

     

    You need to be the first in that lake to succeed: if you don’t someone else will. It was said of the tennis-player Tim Henman that he wasn’t the best tennis player in his class at Reed’s School. But if the coach said: “Go and hit a ball against the ball for ten hours” would go and do it.

     

    Working hard

     

    Fostering that work ethic can lead you to surprising places. Doing things over and over again might seem boring from the outside, but commitment leads to deeper understanding.

     

    But none of this should be at the cost of the bigger picture. When it comes to career employability, you need to realise you’re in a globalised economy. You must also seek to understand the variety of functions which your organisation carries out.

     

    Above all, career employability is about never stopping learning. It is an avenue to a rich and fulfilling career, and therefore to a productive life. You might find that the employability skills important to an employer are also important to you.

     

    To learn how to develop your employability skills go to: https://www.finito.org.uk/

     

     

  • Why These Employability Skills Are Key to Career Success

    In today’s competitive job market, it takes more than technical expertise to stand out. While specific qualifications may get you noticed, it’s employability skills-transferable abilities like communication, problem-solving, and resilience-that truly make a difference in landing a role and thriving in it. In fact, a staggering 80% of employers report prioritising these skills over technical know-how when hiring.

    With globalisation expanding job markets, businesses now look for candidates who can work effectively across cultures, adapt to changing demands, and contribute to a positive team environment. The good news? These skills can be developed. This article dives into what core career skills are, why they’re essential, and how you can hone them to boost your career prospects.

    Why Professional Skills Are Essential for Career Success

    They form the backbone of any successful career. These skills allow you to adapt to various work demands, engage effectively with colleagues, and find solutions in complex situations. In today’s global workforce, employers value individuals who bring more than technical expertise—they seek candidates who add value, work well within teams, and handle challenges with confidence.

    Employers increasingly look for individuals who can face tough situations, collaborate effectively, and communicate across diverse settings. By developing these skills, you’ll significantly enhance your career prospects and position yourself for long-term success in a fast-evolving world.

    Steps to Develop Key Employability Skills

    Now that we know why employability skills matter, let’s explore practical ways to develop them:

    1. Communication Skills
      Communication is at the heart of every successful workplace interaction. Improving both verbal and written communication helps you articulate ideas clearly, engage in discussions confidently, and present information concisely. Whether it’s through a well-crafted email or a thoughtful presentation, effective communication is about conveying your message impactfully and efficiently.
    2. Teamwork
      The ability to work well in a team is essential in nearly every role. Being a good team player involves actively listening to others, contributing ideas, and respecting diverse perspectives. Strong teamwork skills not only improve group outcomes but also enhance your reputation as a collaborative professional who can fit seamlessly into any team dynamic.
    3. Problem-Solving
      Employers highly value employees who can assess situations, think critically, and come up with creative solutions. Strengthening your problem-solving abilities can be as simple as facing challenges directly, learning from past mistakes, and maintaining an open mind when brainstorming solutions.
    4. Resilience and Adaptability
      In today’s fast-paced world, setbacks are unavoidable. Resilience—the ability to bounce back from challenges—helps you maintain productivity and positivity even when things don’t go as planned. Being adaptable means you’re able to change course when necessary, a valuable trait for today’s dynamic job landscape.
    5. Work Ethic
      Demonstrating a strong work ethic is often what sets the best employees apart. This means showing dedication, consistency, and an eagerness to go above and beyond, even in routine tasks. With these traits, you’ll build a reputation as someone who can be trusted to deliver high-quality work, even under pressure.

    The Foundation of Professional Success

    Communication is at the heart of workplace success. It’s more than just getting a message across; effective communication involves speaking clearly, writing concisely, and listening actively. Employers prize those who can confidently convey ideas, adapt to different audiences, and reduce misunderstandings—all key to fostering teamwork and building strong professional relationships. Whether you’re pitching an idea, responding to emails, or engaging in a meeting, strong communication skills enable you to collaborate effectively, support shared goals, and make a positive impact in any role.

    The Importance of Teamwork and Collaboration in Today’s Workplaces

    One skill employers often look for is teamwork. In any professional setting, your ability to collaborate, share ideas, and listen to others’ perspectives greatly impacts team success. Whether working within a department or in cross-functional teams, collaboration helps you leverage diverse strengths to reach shared goals.

    Being a strong team player also means supporting colleagues, giving constructive feedback, and handling conflicts professionally. Your capacity to engage productively with others highlights your adaptability and enhances your employability.

    Problem Solving for Career Growth

    Problem-solving is an essential skill that can significantly impact your career development. In a world where challenges and unexpected obstacles are inevitable, the ability to approach problems with a clear mind and strategic thinking can set you apart. The most successful professionals are those who can identify the root cause of issues, develop solutions, and implement them effectively.

    Effective problem-solving is not just about finding quick fixes; it’s about using creativity, logic, and resourcefulness to tackle complex situations. Whether it’s troubleshooting a technical issue, improving a process, or managing a conflict, your problem-solving skills demonstrate your value to the team and organization. By continuously honing your ability to address challenges head-on, you build a reputation as someone who can be trusted to navigate difficult situations and contribute to the long-term success of your career

    Cultivating Resilience and Work Ethic for Sustainable Career Growth

    Resilience and work ethic are indispensable in any career. In a fast-paced work environment, setbacks are inevitable. Resilience allows you to rebound from challenges and stay motivated despite difficulties. Strengthen resilience by setting realistic goals, celebrating small achievements, and approaching setbacks as learning experiences.

    A solid work ethic complements resilience. Showing up with dedication, consistency, and a willingness to contribute beyond your job description builds a strong reputation. Over time, these qualities pave the way for leadership roles and new career opportunities.

    Never Stop Learning: The Key to Long-Term Employability

    Finally, the most important skill in your career development toolbox is the ability to keep learning. The world is constantly changing, and staying relevant means continuously evolving and adapting. Whether through formal education, certifications, or learning from experience, a commitment to growth keeps you ahead of the curve.

    Employers value individuals who proactively seek new knowledge, demonstrating dedication to their own growth and the success of their organization. By focusing on these essential transferable skills, you can open doors to new opportunities and set yourself up for long-term success.

    If you’re ready to take the next step, have a look at Finito Education. With expert guidance, tailored resources, and practical support, Finito Education is designed to help you build these vital skills and navigate the job market confidently. Invest in your future today, and make employability skills a core part of your career journey.

     

  • Legendary jeweller Elizabeth Gage on her education, work ethic and friendship with Lauren Bacall

    Christopher Jackson

     

    Even for people such as myself who wouldn’t necessarily count themselves as knowledgeable about jewellery can see that the creations of Elizabeth Gage possess an unusual degree of intricacy and beauty. Gage strikes me as a little like those high achievers whose endeavours cross over easily to the layman: non-tennis fans used to tune into Federer; non-readers got through Harry Potter; and even I, who has only ever worn a wedding-ring, can still find myself pausing at an Elizabeth Gage creation, wondering about the dedication behind such outstanding creations.

    So what kind of an upbringing did she have? “I did have a creative family,” she tells us. “My mother painted and my grandmother was a painter. I therefore did not want to be a painter but rather wanted to find my own creative calling. I had always been creative as a child, making clothes for my paper dolls. I started out writing but realised that writing wasn’t for me.”

    But her life was about to change “One day I went to the British Museum and that is when everything changed for me,” she recalls. “The sun was shining, and I distinctly remember the sun flooding one big square case, I looked over and saw a set of Roman rings, and the rest is history. From that moment onwards, my heart was set on making jewellery which was imbued with history, to bring the past into the present and make it wearable.”

    That’s part of what sets Elizabeth Gage apart – her commitment to meaning in her work. Perhaps it’s partly this which makes me pause always at her work; I’m being asked not just to look and take delight in her works, but to think as well.

    Another aspect is attention to detail, and Gage is humorous about the demands of that: “I am a patient person when it comes to achieving the piece that I have designed as I never cut corners and want to make sure that each piece is a work of art in its own right. However, once the piece is being made I am impatient to see it finished!”

    Gage describes her early education: “I went to Chelsea School of Art but my experience there swiftly transitioned to Sir John Cass College, which shaped me and my career. I had been advised time and time again to pursue a career as an artist but I had other ideas.” Like many successful people, Gage picked her battles, and she knew what she had to do: “One day, at 12 ‘clock whilst everyone was out at lunch, I went into a classroom at The Sir John Cass College to find Mr Oliver. I had been told that there was no more admission of students for the Goldsmiths course but I would not take no for an answer. I told Mr Oliver that I wanted to learn how to make jewellery and asked if he could fit me into his busy class, to which he responded by making a space for me. He then taught me for eight years, a wonderful experience culminating in me asking to make something in gold, to which Mr Oliver responded “absolutely, but you must buy your own gold.”

    Despite Mr Oliver’s obvious influence, Gage adds: “I never had a mentor. What guided me was my love of making things and learning about how to master the art of jewellery.” There is wisdom here: quite often, we think the responsibility for our success might lie with some third party, but it always lies within.

    Gage is seems to be expert at letting the world come to her, and teach her to decide what to do next. Her first commission came from Cartier was, she says, ‘very unexpected’ and she is refreshingly matter-of-fact about the genesis of her business which will this year see its 60th anniversary.  “It just happened,” she tells us. “Freshly out of school I received a commission from a friend’s father who had asked me to make rings for his daughter and his girlfriends. He had been very shrewd as, being a designer fresh out of school, I was much cheaper than an established jeweller.” So what were the joys and challenges of starting out? The joys were knowing that what I was creating, people loved. There were always challenges that cropped up but I just knew that I needed to get on and continue doing what I loved and not letting any obstacles get in my way.”

    Of course, over time things have changed – not least Gage’s business has straddled the Internet revolution, a development she views very positively. “It has been wonderful in that people from every corner of the world can now see my work online and even buy online if they so wish,” she explains. “We only have our one exclusive store in Belgravia, London so having that virtual vitrine into our world and jewels is terrific.”

    Gage’s success can in part be measured by the famous clients she has amassed, most famously Lauren Bacall. About Bacall, Gage says: “We worked very well together. She loved what I do and I always involved her in whatever I was doing for her. It was very easy. She once brought me a beautiful bejewelled camel which I set into a brooch.”

    So what would be Gage’s advice to a young designer starting out? “Find what you love doing and that will give you direction of what you must do. It is no good just liking it, you need to really love it.”

    Gage has now been decorated with an MBE (“I never thought I would ever receive something as wonderful as that”) and her goal, even at the age of 85 is “to charge onwards and constantly to be inspired”. Of course, in taking that attitude, she’s also inspired us in return. We are all the beneficiaries of the work of Elizabeth Gage.