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Your Employable Edge

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Lesson Plan

Your Employable Edge

Students will identify and understand 10 essential qualities employers seek, and begin to reflect on how they can cultivate these qualities for future career readiness.

Understanding employer expectations early can significantly boost students' confidence and preparedness for internships, part-time jobs, and future careers, making them more competitive in the job market.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and direct instruction using a slide deck.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What Do Employers REALLY Want?

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 1: "Your Employable Edge" of the Employable Edge Slide Deck.
  • Ask students to brainstorm qualities they think employers look for. Write their ideas on the board.
  • Display Slide 2: "Beyond the Resume" and introduce the lesson objective: to discover the 'soft skills' that make them valuable to employers.

Step 2

Exploring Employable Qualities

20 minutes

  • Go through Slides 3-12, introducing one quality at a time (Communication, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Adaptability, Initiative, Work Ethic, Time Management, Integrity, Critical Thinking, Leadership).
  • For each quality:
    • Read the title and body.
    • Use the teacher notes to prompt a brief discussion or ask a question to connect the quality to students' experiences (e.g., "When have you seen good teamwork in action?").
    • Keep discussions concise to cover all 10 qualities within the time frame.

Step 3

The Big 10 & Personal Reflection

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 13: "The Big 10" to review all qualities.
  • Display Slide 14: "Your Turn: Practice Makes Perfect!". Ask students to choose one quality they want to strengthen and briefly think about how they could practice it this week. Encourage a few volunteers to share.
  • Display Slide 15: "Invest in Yourself" to wrap up, reinforcing the long-term benefits of developing these skills.
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Slide Deck

Your Employable Edge

Unlocking the qualities that employers crave!

Welcome students and introduce the topic: what makes someone a great employee? Ask them to think about people they know who are good at their jobs. What qualities do they have?

Beyond the Resume

What truly makes you stand out to an employer?

  • It's not just about what you know, but how you show up.
  • These are the 'soft skills' that open doors.

Explain that today's lesson will help them understand what employers value beyond just grades or skills. It's about how they behave and interact.

1. Communication

The ability to clearly and effectively share ideas, listen, and understand others.

  • Why it matters: Avoids misunderstandings, builds strong teams, gets tasks done right.

Introduce Communication. Ask students why clear communication is important in school projects or when talking to friends. How does this apply to a job?

2. Problem-Solving

The skill to identify issues, analyze situations, and find effective solutions.

  • Why it matters: Businesses face challenges; employees who can solve them are invaluable.

Discuss problem-solving. Give an example: A customer is unhappy with a product. How should an employee handle it? Emphasize thinking on their feet.

3. Teamwork

Working collaboratively with others towards a common goal, respecting diverse opinions.

  • Why it matters: Most jobs involve working with others; synergy creates success.

Talk about teamwork. Ask them about group projects at school. What makes a good team member? What makes a difficult one?

4. Adaptability

The flexibility to adjust to new conditions, changes, and unexpected challenges.

  • Why it matters: The world of work is constantly evolving; adaptable individuals thrive.

Explain adaptability. Use the example of technology changing rapidly. How do people need to adjust? Emphasize being open to new ways of doing things.

5. Initiative

The ability to take action independently, without always waiting for instructions.

  • Why it matters: Shows motivation, drive, and a proactive attitude.

Discuss initiative. Ask students about times they've taken the lead on something without being told. Why is that a good trait?

6. Work Ethic

Demonstrating dedication, responsibility, and a commitment to quality in your tasks.

  • Why it matters: Employers trust employees who are reliable and produce high-quality work.

Explain a strong work ethic. Contrast it with someone who just does the bare minimum. What's the difference?

7. Time Management

Organizing and prioritizing tasks to complete them efficiently and by deadlines.

  • Why it matters: Ensures productivity, meets goals, and reduces stress.

Discuss time management. Ask students how they manage their homework and extracurriculars. Connect this to job deadlines.

8. Integrity

Being honest, trustworthy, and having strong moral principles in all your actions.

  • Why it matters: Builds trust with colleagues, customers, and management; essential for a positive reputation.

Introduce integrity. Ask: Why is honesty important in a job? What happens if an employee isn't honest?

9. Critical Thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of information in order to form a judgment.

  • Why it matters: Helps make informed decisions, solve complex problems, and innovate.

Talk about critical thinking. Give an example of a situation where just following instructions isn't enough, and you need to think deeper.

10. Leadership

Inspiring and guiding others, whether in a formal role or by example.

  • Why it matters: Strong leaders drive teams forward and foster a productive environment.

Discuss leadership. Explain that it's not just about being a boss, but influencing and motivating others positively. Ask for examples of leaders they admire.

The Big 10

These 10 qualities are universally sought after.

  • Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability
  • Initiative
  • Work Ethic
  • Time Management
  • Integrity
  • Critical Thinking
  • Leadership

Summarize the 10 qualities. Emphasize that these are skills they can start developing now, even in school.

Your Turn: Practice Makes Perfect!

Think about one quality you'd like to strengthen this week.

  • How can you practice it in school, at home, or with friends?
  • Example: Practicing active listening (Communication) during conversations.

Ask students to pick one quality and think about how they already demonstrate it, or how they could start developing it this week. Encourage sharing.

Invest in Yourself

Developing these qualities now will set you up for success in high school, college, and your future career. You've got this!

Conclude by reiterating that these skills are valuable for all aspects of life, not just future jobs. Encourage them to keep these in mind.

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Your Employable Edge • Lenny Learning