Career Readiness

NACE Competencies

Employers are increasingly prioritizing transferable skills when determining who they hire. Specifically, competencies developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The following competencies are based on the ones developed by NACE. Working on campus is a great way to gain valuable experience and develop these competencies and skills.

Communication

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language, abilities.
  • Employ active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills.
  • Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand.
  • Frame communication with respect to various learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences.
  • Ask appropriate questions for specific information from supervisors, specialists, and others.
  • Promptly inform relevant others when needing guidance with assigned tasks.

 

Critical Thinking

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Make decisions and solve problems using sound, open-minded reasoning and judgment.
  • Gather and analyze information from a broad set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
  • Proactively anticipate needs and prioritize action steps.
  • Accurately summarize and interpret data with an awareness of personal biases that may impact outcomes.
  • Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing differing perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders.
  • Multi-task well in a fast-paced environment.

 

Teamwork

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating differing viewpoints and shared responsibilities.
 

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Listen carefully to others, taking time to understand and ask appropriate questions without interrupting.
  • Effectively manage conflict, interact with differing personalities, and meet ambiguity with resilience.
  • Be accountable for individual and team responsibilities and deliverables.
  • Employ personal strengths, knowledge, and talents to complement those of others.
  • Exercise the ability to compromise and be agile.
  • Collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
  • Build strong, positive working relationships with supervisor and team members/coworkers.

 

Leadership

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Inspire, persuade, and motivate self and others under a shared vision.
  • Seek out and leverage resources and feedback from others to inform direction.
  • Use innovative thinking to go beyond traditional methods.
  • Serve as a role model to others by approaching tasks with confidence and a positive attitude.
  • Motivate and inspire others by encouraging them and by building mutual trust.
  • Plan, initiate, manage, complete and evaluate projects.

 

Technology

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Navigate change and be open to learning new technologies.
  • Use technology to improve efficiency and productivity of their work.
  • Identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks.
  • Manage technology to integrate information to support relevant, effective, and timely decision-making.
  • Quickly adapt to new or unfamiliar technologies.
  • Manipulate information, construct ideas, and use technology to achieve strategic goals.

 

Professionalism

Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Act with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization.
  • Maintain a positive personal brand in alignment with organization and personal career values.
  • Be present and prepared.
  • Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings).
  • Prioritize and complete tasks to accomplish organizational goals.
  • Consistently meet or exceed goals and expectations.
  • Have an attention to detail, resulting in few if any errors in their work.
  • Show a high level of dedication toward doing a good job.

 

Academic, Career, & Self Development

Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career & academic opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization. 

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Show an awareness of own strengths and areas for development.
  • Identify areas for continual growth while pursuing and applying feedback.
  • Develop plans and goals for one’s future career.
  • Professionally advocate for oneself and others.
  • Display curiosity; seek out opportunities to learn.
  • Assume duties or positions that will help one progress professionally.
  • Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help one professionally.
  • Seek and embrace development opportunities.
  • Successfully choose, navigate, & complete education, training, or other events to support one’s career.

 

Building Communities & Expanding Horizons

Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to build communities including people from different local and global cultures. Gain a better understanding of one's own and other cultures and collaborate across differences to solve problems.

• Sample Behaviors:

  • Solicit and use feedback from multiple cultural perspectives to make broadly beneficial decisions.
  • Advocate for justice and equal protection under the law for all in one’s communities.
  • Seek global cross-cultural interactions and experiences that enhance one’s understanding of people from different demographic groups and that leads to personal growth.
  • Keep an open mind to differing ideas and new ways of thinking.
  • Articulate and share one’s cultural heritage with different audiences in a respectful and engaging manner.
  • Identify resources and eliminate barriers that lead to disparate access to opportunities to succeed.
  • Demonstrate flexibility by adapting to different environments.

 

Weber State University Career Readiness Competencies are inspired by and based on the NACE Career Readiness Competency Framework

Contact: studentemployment@weber.edu