# data[].attributes.headline
Improve proficiency in communication skills by 28th of February 2022. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Improve proficiency in communication skills by 28th of February 2022. 

# data[].attributes.body
Communication is another transferable skill that is crucial for Human Resource management (UniSA Career Insight, 2020). I would my proficiency in this skill a 3 and working in retail has really helped me build and improve my skills. I can meaningfully enhance this proficiency by listening to the audible book “Effective Communication Skills” by Professor Dalton Kehoe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
From asking a waiter for an unusual substitution to urging a service manager to get your car finished sooner to swaying your significant other toward a particular film or show, many of the decisions you make are decided by talking. And no matter why you engage in face-to-face talk, there's no way to insulate yourself from the dangers of miscommunication.

These 24 mind-opening lectures are your chance to learn more about how you communicate verbally, the common problems you can encounter in doing so, and how you can improve your own effectiveness - especially by overcoming the psychological and biological hard-wiring that too often gets in the way.

Professor Kehoe offers a trove of practical techniques for successful communication, from everyday interactions in the home or workplace to managing your reactions and speaking effectively in conflict- and tension-laden situations.

You'll learn how early cultural learning and deeply learned patterns of reaction in our unconscious mind enhance or undermine your ability to communicate effectively; how your sense of self develops in everyday talk during your childhood; the specific styles of talking you use in most situations; and the basic techniques of perhaps the most important and neglected aspect of human conversation, the art of active listening.

When you consider the complexities of conversation, it's a wonder that things ever work out as well as they do. But with the knowledge, strategies, and skills offered by this course, that hard-to-find effectiveness will be only a conversation away.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Check out this great listen on Audible.com.au. From asking a waiter for an unusual substitution to urging a service manager to get your car finished sooner to swaying your significant other toward a particular film or show, many of the decisions you make are decided by talking. And no matter why you ...

# data[].attributes.headline
Gain valuable examples demonstrating my proficiency in my teamwork abilities by 30th of June 2022. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Gain valuable examples demonstrating my proficiency in my teamwork abilities by 30th of June 2022. 

# data[].attributes.body
Being able to work effectively in a team is one transferable skill that is crucial for Human Resource management (UniSA Career Insight, 2020). I would rate my current proficiency in teamwork as a 3, as I have worked in teams in many examples including retail for 5 years, house captain and student leader. I can meaningfully enhance this proficiency in this skill as well as gaining another valuable example I will complete the LinkedIn ‘Improve Your Teamwork Skills’ course.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Teams work better when everyone collaborates and cooperates. Learn how to be a better teammate for your coworkers by improving your teamwork skills, conflict management skills, and communication skills.

Discover the benefits of working on a team.

Learn how to manage conflict in a healthy way.

Improve your communication with teammates.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Improve Your Teamwork Skills Learning Path | LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teams work better when everyone collaborates and cooperates. Learn how to be a better teammate for your coworkers by improving your teamwork skills, conflict management skills, and communication skills. Discover the benefits of working on a team. Learn how to manage conflict in a healthy way. Improve your communication with teammates.

# data[].attributes.headline
Be able to apply effective active listening skills by 31st of December 2022. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Be able to apply effective active listening skills by 31st of December 2022. 

# data[].attributes.body
Active listening is one of the top 4 most important skills for Human Resource Managers to possess (Job Outlook, 2021). I would rate my current proficiency in active listening a 3. I can meaningfully enhance this proficiency in this skill I will actively practice Mind Tool’s 5 steps to active listening: pay attention, show that you’re listening, provide feedback, defer judgement and respond appropriately.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What Is Active Listening?

The way to improve your listening skills is to practice "active listening." This is where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but, more importantly, the complete message being communicated.

In order to do this, you must pay attention to the other person very carefully. You cannot allow yourself to become distracted by whatever else may be going on around you, or by forming counterarguments while the other person is still speaking. Nor can you allow yourself to get bored, and lose focus on what the other person is saying.

To enhance your listening skills, you need to let the other person know that you are listening to what they're saying.

To understand the importance of this, ask yourself if you've ever had a conversation when you wondered if the other person was listening to what you were saying. You wonder if your message is getting across, or if it's even worthwhile continuing to speak. It feels like talking to a brick wall and it's something you want to avoid.

Acknowledgment can be something as simple as a nod of the head or a simple "uh huh." You aren't necessarily agreeing with the person, you are simply indicating that you are listening. Using body language and other signs to acknowledge you are listening can also help you to pay attention.

Try to respond to the speaker in a way that will encourage them to continue speaking, so that you can get the information that you need. While nodding and "uh huhing" says you're interested, an occasional question or comment to recap what has been said also communicates that you are listening and understanding the message.

Top Tips for Active Listening

There are five key active listening techniques you can use to help you become a more effective listener:

1. Pay Attention

Give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge the message. Recognize that non-verbal communication also "speaks" loudly.

Look at the speaker directly.

Put aside distracting thoughts.

Don't mentally prepare a rebuttal!

Avoid being distracted by environmental factors. For example, side conversations.

"Listen" to the speaker's body language.

2. Show That You're Listening

Use your own body language and gestures to show that you are engaged.

Nod occasionally.

Smile and use other facial expressions.

Make sure that your posture is open and interested.

Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like yes, and "uh huh."

3. Provide Feedback

Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can distort what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said. This may require you to reflect on what is being said and to ask questions.

Reflect on what has been said by paraphrasing. "What I'm hearing is... ," and "Sounds like you are saying... ," are great ways to reflect back.

Ask questions to clarify certain points. "What do you mean when you say... ." "Is this what you mean?"

Summarize the speaker's comments periodically.

4. Defer Judgment

Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker and limits full understanding of the message.

Allow the speaker to finish each point before asking questions.

Don't interrupt with counterarguments.

5. Respond Appropriately

Active listening is designed to encourage respect and understanding. You are gaining information and perspective. You add nothing by attacking the speaker or otherwise putting them down.

Be candid, open, and honest in your response.

Assert your opinions respectfully.

Treat the other person in a way that you think they would want to be treated.

Listening Skills Infographic

See Active Listening represented in our infographic: Listening Skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Active Listening - Hear What People are Really Saying

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Research suggests we recall between 25-50 percent of what we hear. Learn active listening techniques to avoid misunderstandings and improve productivity.

# data[].attributes.headline
Gain experience in administration and management to improve my proficiency in that knowledge area by 31st of December 2023. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Gain experience in administration and management to improve my proficiency in that knowledge area by 31st of December 2023. 

# data[].attributes.body
Administration and management is one of the top 4 most important knowledge area for Human Resource Managers (Job Outlook, 2021). I would rate my current proficiency a 1 as I have never worked in administrations or management. I can meaningfully enhance this proficiency in this knowledge area I would like to gain some work experience doing admin for a business. I will search for these job opportunities using websites such as Seek.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whether you're seeking a new job, looking to change careers, or have just completed high school or tertiary education, you could benefit greatly from unpaid work experience. But landing a placement is not always as simple as walking into a business and offering to work for free.

Some companies may not take on participants because of the cost of insurance to cover their presence, the risk to the confidentiality of clients, or the need to provide training or health and safety briefings. They may also lack resources to properly supervise and provide that valuable feedback a participant would be looking for.

But don't let that deter you, as many organisations are willing to host participants to showcase their career paths and help people get into the workforce.

How are people finding placements?

The 2016 Unpaid Work Experience in Australia report reveals about two-thirds of students seeking placements as part of their studies at university, TAFE or high school have had this organised by their institution.

Other common methods include responding directly to an advertised opportunity, which 29% of post-school students used, and leveraging personal networks such as family and friends, which 28.1% of secondary school students used.

For people seeking placements as part of Newstart requirements, most (51.7%) have been helped by a job services provider and more than a quarter (27.9%) have used a broker or external agency.

People who seek a work experience placement for reasons other than educational or government requirements are most likely to organise it themselves (60.3%).

Top tips for finding a placement and leaving a good lasting impression

Entree Recruitment General Manager Megan Nicholson says there is no greater teacher in life than experience. Here's her advice for successful placements:

Pursue the placement you want with tenacity
"To secure a work experience placement, my advice would be to contact the business directly," Nicholson says. "Send a letter explaining why you wish to complete a work experience placement with their business and what you hope to achieve from it. "Companies want to see someone with drive and passion for their industry."

Treat the placement like you would a real job
Once on placement, Nicholson recommends making the most of it by asking lots of questions and getting involved in the business.

Show initiative
"Identify tasks that need doing, and show initiative," she says. One of the biggest challenges for businesses considering taking on a placement is trying to find the right tasks to keep a placement busy and challenged. If you can show that you can identify tasks that you can assist with without instruction, you will leave a great impression.

Present well, don't be tardy and stay in touch
"Make sure you are well presented and on time and when you leave your placement, keep in touch with the organisation. This will show the business you are serious about having a relationship with them in the future."

Bec Fisher and her 40 jobs at 40 experiment

Bec Fisher has found a unique way to celebrate her 40th birthday, with a plan to trial 40 different careers throughout the year. The teacher-turned-serial intern is keen to determine if the grass really is greener on the other side.

"I wasn't desperate to try something new, but I wondered if there was something else," she says. "Something might really pique my interest, or I might think 'actually I really love my job'."

Fisher has tried careers from firefighting and floristry to physiotherapy. In May, she shadowed celebrant Rachel Green at a wedding at Summergrove Estate.

Fisher's first step in setting up work experience placements was to see what her friends and network could offer. "If people know you or can vouch for you, that often gets you through the door," she says.

"Work experience is so important. Finding out what you don't like is equally as important as finding out what you do."

Next, Fisher began cold calling and emailing companies she was interested in working for.

"Give them a little bit of background information about yourself... why you want to work for that company or what about the role you find interesting (and) what you are interested in doing and learning and why," she says.

"That has been the hardest and most time-consuming part because it's a bit like applying for a job in that you write each letter specifically to each business.

"Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."

She recommends using each opportunity to not only try the work but talk to people in the industry.

"Get an idea of the path their career has taken," she says. "What you can observe in one day and what you can find out with a half-hour conversation are two different things."

"If you are genuine and want to find out about a job, it's surprising how much people are happy to tell you.

"Work experience is so important. Finding out what you don't like is equally as important as finding out what you do."
This article was first published by Melanie Burgess, Deputy Careers Editor at News Corp Australia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to secure a work experience placement and succeed in it - SEEK Career Advice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whether you're seeking a new job, looking to change careers, or have just completed high school or tertiary education, you could benefit greatly from unpaid work experience. But landing a placement is not always as simple as walking into a business and offering to work for free.

# data[].attributes.headline
Improve experience at balancing work and personnel needs by 31st of December 2024. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Improve experience at balancing work and personnel needs by 31st of December 2024. 

# data[].attributes.body
Balancing work and personnel needs is the proficiency I rated myself weakness in, with a 1. I would say this is because I lack experience in a professional environment where the job is taken very seriously as every position I have had has been casual, therefore my commitment is not as strong. I can meaningfully enhance this proficiency by gaining experience in balancing my work and personal needs. I would do so by gaining a job, preferably a position in business, that is part time and therefore I am more committed to and have more opportunity to practice improving my proficiency.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Work-life balance. It's a popular phrase, but just how realistic is it? We speak to an expert to find out how setting work-life boundaries can help you feel more fulfilled at home and at work.

For many of us, work-life balance is a wonderful idea, but a hard concept to master.

"Work-life balance is the holy grail mirage that we chase to achieve that elusive dream of a guilt-free life where we can be fully present, engaged and fulfilled in whichever domain we are in," says SEEK's resident psychologist Sabina Read. The difficulty is, says Sabina, that the very notion of work-life balance relies on a perfect split between our personal and professional lives - something that is almost impossible in today's fast-paced and on-call world.

The concept of work-life balance works on the principle of being able to allocate our time and attention to particular issues at specific times. According to Sabina, the problem is that this is not how our brains work. "The human brain is more likely to naturally shift between different activities, so while we are engaging in one task, we are also thinking of several others concurrently," she says. "When this occurs, we tend to feel overwhelmed and guilty because we have "failed" at balancing the many parts of our lives that matter."

The answer, says Sabina, is to implement work-life boundaries instead of aiming for a work-life balance.

"Work-life boundaries tap into the notion that we can be more fluid between work and home and often integrate the two," says Sabina. She also emphasises that there is little point in waiting for a boss, partner, client or colleague to set work-life boundaries for us. "No one can define or set work-life boundaries for you," she says. "Healthy and productive boundaries will reflect your current needs, priorities and values, and these may ebb and flow across your lifespan."

Setting boundaries related to how you want to spend your time, energy and resources leads to a sense of stability and mindfulness, which contributes to our overall sense of productivity, achievement and well being.

How to set work-life boundaries

When it comes to work-life boundaries, it's important to reflect on when you feel happiest and most fulfilled.

Research published in the Organizational Dynamics journal suggests we can set work-life boundaries depending on our personality and preferred working style.

Separators
Separators divide their work and personal life by having regular, set times dedicated to either working or not working. "For some people, boundaries will mean separating work from home at the end of the working day, which may include not reading or responding to emails after 6pm and before 9am," says Read.

1. Integrators
Integrators mix work and personal time throughout the day. "These people may mix personal and professional activities by attending personal commitments during the day or always being home for dinner with partner/kids/friends, then returning to the laptop after hours," says Sabina.

Integrators can set work-life boundaries by creating clear priorities and communicating these with the people around them. For example, if you're a parent who wants to attend an activity at your child's school, let your manager know that you'll be unavailable during that period, but will work in the evening to make up for the lost time.

Another way to help establish work-life boundaries for integrators is to set a time buffer (say 30 minutes) between each activity, which allows you to create a distinction between work and personal time.

2. Cyclers tend to have jobs that fluctuate throughout the year, such as accountants who are busy during tax time, accommodation owners who are busy during peak holiday periods or parents who work less during school holidays. During the quieter times of the year, cyclers have more time to focus on their personal life and hobbies.

Forward planning by blocking out specific chunks of time dedicated to either work or personal life can help cyclers can establish clear work-life boundaries. Communication is key for cyclers, for example, letting those you work with know your availability in advance.

Rather than focusing on work-life balance, setting work-life boundaries can instead lead to you feeling 100% present and committed when you are at work, and 100% present and committed when you are away from work. And there's no better balance than that.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why you shouldn't be chasing work-life balance (and what you should do instead) - SEEK Career Advice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Work-life balance. It's a popular phrase, but just how realistic is it? We speak to an expert to find out how setting work-life boundaries can help you feel more fulfilled at home and at work. For many of us, work-life balance is a wonderful idea, but a hard concept to master.