NCFE Level 1 Award in Employability Skills (601/4680/1) Understanding Mindset

Understanding Mindset What is mindset? It is a person’s particular way of thinking.

Understanding Mindset What mindset have you got? Take the quiz and find out. Strong Growth Mindset = 45 – 60 points Growth Mindset with some Fixed ideas = 34 – 44 points Fixed Mindset with some Growth ideas = 21 – 33 points Strong Fixed Mindset = 0 – 20 points

Understanding Mindset Fixed mindset Those in a fixed mindset believe you either are or aren’t good at something, based on your inherent nature, because it’s just who you are. Growth mindset Those in a growth mindset believe anyone can be good at anything, because your abilities are entirely due to your actions. The fixed mindset is the most common and harmful … why?

Understanding Mindset What is the difference between a quality, an attribute and a skill? Quality is inherent (existing in someone as a permanent and inseparable element) Attribute is gained Skill is learned

Understanding Mindset List mindset qualities that you think are attractive to employers. Honesty reliability trust commitment adaptability Kind helpful generous responsible considerate Confident positive motivated sensible mature Thoughtful actions results beliefs

Understanding Mindset Those with a Positive Mindset Cycle: Have a desire to do or learn something new Inspired by others’ success Embrace challenge Persist despite obstacles Learn from criticism Effort leads to mastery, desired results achieved Success builds confidence & self-belief

Understanding Mindset Research carried out by REED recruitment agency in 2011 revealed that 97% of employers would choose to hire someone with the right mindset even though they lack the complete skill-set. Why do you think this is? Accountable flexible determined Loyal contributor relationship builder Conscientious thoughtful actions Results beliefs

Understanding Mindset However those with a Negative Mindset Cycle: Indecisive Want to look smart Give up easily due to obstacles Do not achieve See trying/effort as fruitless Ignore useful feedback Threatened by others’ success

Understanding Mindset How might a negative mindset affect your job prospects? In the research carried out by REED 100% of employers ranked honesty and trustworthiness in first place, marking them as essential or desirable. Not a single employer said that these qualities were not important and more than 90% said they were essential. The qualities are: Honesty trustworthy committed Adaptable accountable flexible Determined loyalty relationship builder Contributor

Understanding Mindset You must be able to demonstrate your qualities to a potential employer – your employability quality. Your mindset or skillset can be clearly demonstrated through a mixture of actions or words A skillset is all the different skills that are needed to do a particular job

Understanding Mindset Each group has one quality on their flipchart paper. Discuss in your group and write down a description of this quality. Use examples if it helps. Why is this a key quality to employers? The same task will be completed for each quality. Honesty Commitment Flexibility Accountability