When it comes to getting your foot in the door, it takes more than just a polished CV – building a competitive advantage means there's also a need to develop resilience, determination and other hard skills.

Dr Kenneth Yap gives us his insight into why teaching teens to be resilient is important when it comes time for them to enter the workforce. As a marketer, entrepreneur, researcher and academic, Dr Yap's extensive experience in business means he understands the skills needed to succeed in a competitive workforce.  

In addition to his impressive resume, Dr Yap is a father of two young boys and is currently learning how to teach them resilience in this ultra-competitive world. He speaks to us about why it's important to teach teens to be resilient, and the importance for this in the workplace. 

The importance for teens to build resilience early  

Before people get a job, they obviously have to look for one. Unfortunately, not everyone can get their dream job with the first job they apply for, so part of the job application process is likely to involve rejection.

"Skills will help improve your acceptance rate, especially technical or hard skills, because the acquisition and mastery of it serves to ‘thin the field’ competing for jobs," says Dr Yap.

What sort of skills do employers look for?

It pays to consider the personal skills you can bring to a job in addition to technical capability. The ability to plan, be organised, interact well with colleagues and learn independently are all significant factors employers will consider.

As Dr Yap notes, "Technical jobs obviously require technical skills, but even in these positions, employers value the ability to work well with others, and the ability to work well on your own.

"There are some skills related to producing and selling the product or service to increase revenue, and there are some skills that help create processes to reduce expenses. The assortment of such skills varies with the position that requires it."

Finding a competitive edge in the workplace

According to Dr Yap, classmates should compare their CVs and skill-sets with each other to better understand how they might stand out from the crowd. "In seeking jobs, you are in competition with classmates and strangers. In the workplace, you are in competition with others for development opportunities.

"Just because they completed the same units in the course, doesn’t mean that they have the same skill-sets, especially when some employers view academic knowledge as the minimum competency level."

Making a great impression when applying for jobs means having more than just the technical skills. In addition to a well-rounded CV, resilience and other personal skills are key. 

Attend our free Parent Info Evenings: Career Myth Busting to learn more about how teens can build the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.