How to be employable | Lesley Jennings | TEDxYouth@NavalHill

Summary

The transcript emphasizes the importance of creating one's own work opportunities and gaining experience proactively. It suggests that working for oneself isn't just about being self-employed but about taking personal responsibility for career development. The speaker highlights the need for likability, reliability, and competence as key traits for job seekers, especially in competitive fields like music. The script encourages a forward-thinking mindset, where individuals should actively work on self-improvement and seek to create their own opportunities to gain experience and stand out in the job market.

Takeaways

• 🔄 **Rethinking Work Experience**: Work experience isn't just about having a job; it's about what you do to prepare and make yourself ready for future opportunities.
• 🎓 **Education and Employment**: While studying, consider ways to gain work experience concurrently to make yourself more employable.
• 🚀 **Self-Preparation**: If you lack work experience, proactively create opportunities to gain it, rather than waiting for it to be offered.
• 🤝 **Being Likable**: In competitive fields, being likable and reliable can set you apart from others with similar qualifications.
• 🎵 **Competitive Edge**: In the music industry, success depends on likability, reliability, and doing your job exceptionally well.
• 💼 **Creating Opportunities**: Consider creating your own opportunities to gain experience, which can be just as valuable as traditional employment.
• 🏆 **Setting Yourself Apart**: Focus on activities that will make you stand out from the crowd, such as leadership roles or additional skills.
• 💡 **Proactive Mindset**: Always think about how your current actions can create opportunities and benefit your future self.
• 🌟 **Small Victories**: Concentrate on small, achievable goals that contribute to your long-term success.
• 🚫 **Conscious Decisions**: Be mindful of how your current choices impact your future productivity and opportunities.
• 🔗 **Networking**: Building relationships can lead to recommendations and opportunities that might not be openly advertised.

Q & A

What is the main perspective the speaker is trying to convey about work experience?

The speaker suggests that work experience isn't just about being employed; it's about what you do for yourself to prepare for future opportunities.

Why does the speaker believe that studying alone is insufficient for gaining work experience?

The speaker believes studying alone is insufficient because it doesn't provide the practical experience needed for a job that requires work experience.

What is the speaker's advice for someone who is struggling to find a job and gain work experience?

The speaker advises creating your own opportunities and working on oneself to become more employable and likable.

What are the three key qualities the speaker mentions as necessary for a musician to get work?

The three key qualities mentioned are being likable, reliable, and doing what you do well.

How does the speaker suggest one can stand out from other candidates during a job interview?

The speaker suggests focusing on all three key qualities (likability, reliability, and doing the job well) to differentiate oneself from other candidates.

What does the speaker mean by 'working for yourself' in the context of job seeking?

In the context of job seeking, 'working for yourself' means creating your own opportunities and gaining experience that makes you attractive to employers.

Why is it important to think about future employment while still in school, according to the speaker?

It's important to think about future employment while in school because it allows one to start preparing and making decisions that will benefit them in the long run.

What is the speaker's view on the relationship between the decisions made today and future outcomes?

The speaker believes that the decisions made today directly impact tomorrow, and it's crucial to be conscious of how current actions align with future goals.

How does the speaker recommend creating opportunities in a competitive industry?

The speaker recommends creating opportunities by being proactive, such as networking with industry professionals, volunteering, or teaching to gain experience and stand out.

What is the speaker's advice for someone who is just starting out in a competitive field?

The speaker advises focusing on small victories, being conscious of actions and their impact on goals, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of consciously thinking about one's actions?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of consciously thinking about one's actions because it helps in aligning daily decisions with long-term goals and creating opportunities.