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The job market is ridiculously competitive these days, with the majority of high paying jobs only open to graduates, and a saturated workforce. As parents, we obviously want to give our kids the best start in life and set them up for success in their adult lives. Children can learn all sorts of skills that will make them more employable as they get older, and will allow them to take on the competition face on in job market. If you’re keen on giving your kid the best start in their professional life – and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you be – then here are a few hints and tips to benefit their employability in the long run.
Encourage socialising
Children who are socially confident and have high self-esteem are much more likely to take those attitudes into adult life. Help them to socialise, not just with children of their own age, but with adults, younger children, and older children. Dealing with a range of different age groups forces them to learn to be adaptable and read situations, rather than just behaving with a blanket response. This is something that will come across very well at interviews, so childhood is a great time to get them into the habit.
Push for academic excellence
School is intense for kids – all they want to do is have fun, get new experiences, and hang out with mates, so it is difficult for them to commit to academic work at the end of the day. Spend as much time as you can afford going over your kid’s school work with them, and engaging them in conversations about how their academic performance will affect their future careers. If they’re struggling with anything, try to help them to the extent of your capabilities, and consider home tuition to help them through difficult topics.
Make use of hobbies
Extra-curricular activities and school trips aren’t just there for the fun and social aspect; they also show future employers that a candidate has more than one string to their bow. Starting young means they have time to master a particular art or sport, meaning they can show their dedication in job applications. You never know, their love of a hobby could even help them choose a direction in which they would like to follow their career.
Gather work experience
Much like hobbies, work experience allows a potential employer to see that there is an understanding of how a workplace operates, even if they’ve never been paid for their time. Encourage your child to undertake voluntary work with charity shops or even at your own place of employment, if that’s possible.
Teach them to understand the meaning of money
Children who understand the importance of money, and how it correlates to their own hard work, are far more likely to aim for a job with good prospects when they get older. You can encourage this behaviour by requiring them to undertake chores for their pocket money, which demonstrates the importance of a good work ethic from a young age.
The employability of your child is affected by things that happen to them from a young age, so it’s great to be able to give them a bit of a leg-up into the adult world.
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