This is the second of a five part series.

West Michigan Works! now offers workshops designed to help you bring important employability skills to your job search or current workplace—skills that West Michigan employers have identified as the ones they look for in an ideal candidate or employee.

WorkReady workshops measure how well you understand and use nine important employability skills. Over the next few weeks, we will share all nine essential skills.


Communication involves the sharing and receiving of information; it’s a way that people connect. According to 2010 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, communication skills are ranked at the top of the most-needed work skills.

93% of communication is non-verbal. Facial expressions, posture, eye contact and personal space tell a listener more about what you think than the actual words you’re saying. To effectively communicate with others your non-verbal cues and your words should match


Being decisive means settling an issue, showing that you have the ability to make decisions efficiently and effectively.

A decisive person is not afraid to make mistakes and considers how their decisions affect others. They make informed decisions based on a reasonable amount of research, data and thought.

Independent decision-making

Leaders want employees who can think critically and make wise decisions independently. They don’t want someone who comes to them for every decision. How do you know which decisions to take to a supervisor? Consider if the decision affects you, coworkers or the whole organization. If the decision just affects you, and you think leadership would be comfortable with your answer, go ahead and make the decision yourself. If anyone else is affected, talk with a supervisor first.

Are you WorkReady? Click here to find a workshop near you.