Are You Career Ready?	
Are You Career Ready? (page 1 of 4)	
Employers are looking for Career Ready graduates.  Career Ready graduate
s are students who know how to 
use their talents, skills, strengths, and interests on the job.  The National 
Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identified key 
"competencies" (areas) for career readiness.  During your school
 years, 
learn career readiness in these key areas to prepare you for your 
successful leap into the work world.
COMMUNICATION
Able to explain your thoughts and express ideas by speaking and writing.
  Able to use correct body 
language for the situation, such as stand straight and eye contact.  Able to listen to get information.   Able 
to teach others and deliver information by speaking, writing, and by com
puter.  
TEAMWORK & HUMAN (PERSON-TO-PERSON) RELATIONS
Able to build and keep friendships and work relationships.  Able to organize, share responsibility, and work 
as a team member.  Able to show respect and empathy (understand the views and emotions of others).  Able 
to control your emotions, anger, and conflict with others while working as a team member.
LEADERSHIP
Able to organize, motivate, and supervisor others to complete a project.  
Able to use personality skills to guide others as they work as a team to
 
finish the project.  Able to make good decisions while supervising others.
WORK ETHIC (GOOD WORKER)
Able to demonstrate the following  character (personality) skills: 
1) Excellent attendance — Report to work every day on time and ready
 to work when the work shift starts.  
2) Loyalty — speaking well of the company, products, and workers.  
3) Trustworthy — honest with company property and information.  
4) Reliability — continue to work even when not supervised.  
5) Initiative — do what needs doing without waiting to be told; look
ing for more work to do and doing it.  
6) Self-discipline — ability to control one's feelings and actions i
n order to do or say the right thing.  
7) Appearance — Wear appropriate clothing and hair style for the job; clean, neat, and te
eth brushed.  
8) Positive Attitude — Thoughts, feelings, and words about the company are good; not a complain
er.  
9) Productivity — Works while at work; accurately; follows rules.
10) Organization — Organize time and  tasks to complete work smoothly and quickly.
CREATIVITY, CRITICAL THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING
Able to think clearly to analyze (figure out) problems, synthesize (put many dif ferent 
things or thoughts together, like a puzzle, successfully).  Able to think critically 
(figure out hard problems) and strategically (think of a good plan and make good 
moves).  Able to think creatively (invent new ideas, new solutions, and new prod
ucts that are needed).

College & Career Publishing.  Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Are You Career Ready (page 2 of 4)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. What are employers looking for?  
2.  What 4 things do Career Ready graduates know 
how to use?
3.  During your school years, why should you learn 
career readiness in these key areas?
4.  List 3 things you need to be able to do for career 
readiness in the area of COMMUNICATION.
5.  a) List one communication skill that you do 
well now.  b) List one communication skill that 
you need to learn and practice.
6.  List 3 things you need to be able to do to show 
career readiness in the area of  TEAMWORK & 
HUMAN RELATIONS.
7.  List one teamwork or HUMAN RELATIONS 
skill that you can do now.  
8.  List 3 things you need to be able to do to show 
career readiness in the area of LEADERSHIP.
9.  a) Do you think you will make a good leader at 
a future job?  b) Give a reason for your answer.
10.  What is another word for your "character"?
11.  Explain the meaning of the following words:  
a) Loyalty.  b) Trustworthy.  c) Reliable.  
  d) Initiative.  e) Self-discipline.  f) Productivity.
12.  Of the 10 WORK ETHIC skills, list the work 
ethic skills that you think you have now.
13.  Define:  a) Analyze. b) Synthesize.  
  c) Think Critically.  d) Strategically.
14.  a) Which of the following do you think you 
can do now:  Analyze?  Synthesize?  Organize?  
Think critically?  Think strategically?  b) Give a 
reason for your answer.
15.  For TECHNOLOGY & CRAFTS, what should 
you be able to use to create a finished product?
16.  Describe what is meant by GLOBAL VIEW 
THINKING.
17.  List 3 things you need to be able to do to show 
career readiness in CAREER PLANNING.
18.  What happens when you understand what 
  employers are looking for in a worker?
CAREER  READY ACTIVITY:
  Complete the next two pages in this 
  lesson to describe the career ready 
skills you practice during one day.
TECHNOLOGY & CRAFTS
Able to design, plan, select, organize, and use tools, equipment, raw materials, 
computers, and/or high tech equipment to design and create a finished product.
GLOBAL VIEW THINKING
Able to respect viewpoints of others from diverse cultures, races, ages,
 religions, and lifestyles to build 
good working relationships and good communication.  Able to learn from other cultures and viewpoints to 
move beyond tolerance to respect.
CAREER PLANNING
Able to research: 1) job options, 2) careers, 3) education and traini
ng opportunities 
available.  Able to identify your: 1) skills, 2) strengths, 3) experience needed,
 
4) steps required to get a job — to earn raises — and to earn pro
motions to next level 
job.  Able to self-market yourself: 1) on the job, 2) in job-related clubs, 
3) in job 
related networks (business friends) to find opportunities in work world.
The "Career Ready Activity" on the next two pages will help you understand how you 
are NOW learning and gaining experience for jobs in the work world.  Also, when you understand what 
employers are looking for in a worker, you will be able to successfully answer questions about your skills 
and career readiness during job interviews.

Career Ready Activity: Page 1	
Period 1 Class: Activity, task, or project I did:Check the Career Ready Skill(s) used:
_____ Communication (Verbal & Written)
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic (Doing a good job)
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Planning
Directions:  At the end of a day, reflect on what you did during the day that gave you experience and 
practice in Career Ready skills.  Describe (also called "document") wh
at you did on the left side.  
On the right side, check the Career Ready skill(s) you used while doin
g what you did.
YOUR NAME: 
Check the Career Ready Skill(s) used:
_____ Communication (Verbal & Written)
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic (Doing a good job)
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Planning
Check the Career Ready Skill(s) used:
_____ Communication (Verbal & Written)
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic (Doing a good job)
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Planning
Check the Career Ready Skill(s) used:
_____ Communication (Verbal & Written)
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic (Doing a good job)
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Planning
Period 2 Class: Activity, task, or project I did:
Period 4 Class: Activity, task, project I did:
Period 3 Class: Activity, task, or project I did:	
DATE:

Are You Career Ready? (page 4 of 4)	
Career Ready Activity: Page 2	
Check the Career Ready Skill(s) used:
_____ Communication (Verbal & Written)
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic (Doing a good job)
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Planning
Check the Career Ready Skill(s) used:
_____ Communication (Verbal & Written)
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic (Doing a good job)
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Planning
TOTAL SCORE - Career Ready skills I used:
_____ Communication
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Management
Write your answers on the back
side of this lesson page. Check the Career Ready Skill(s) used:
_____ Communication (Verbal & Written)
_____ Teamwork & Human Relations
_____ Leadership
_____ Work Ethic (Doing a good job)
_____ Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
_____ Technology & Crafts
_____ Global View Thinking
_____ Career Planning
After School Time (with Friends or Family): 
Activity, task, or project I did:
Add total number of times you practiced 
Career Ready skills during the day. Write the
TOTAL SCORE beside Career Ready skill.
1.  List the 3 Career Ready skills for which 
you had the: a) Most experience today (high 
scores)  b) Least experience today (low scores)
2.  a) Which Career Ready skill do you enjoy the 
most?  b) Give a reason why.  
3.  a) Did this Career Ready Activity help you 
understand that you are building skills and 
experiences each day to help you in the work 
world?  b) Give a reason for your answer.
Period 6 Class (or Job Training Class or Club or 
Sports or other): Activity, task, or project I did:
Period 5 Class: Activity, task, or project I did: