BTEC DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LEVEL 2 ASSIGNMENT 2.1

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

VALUED BY EMPLOYERS IN THE IT INDUSTRY

REQUIRED ATTITUDE	DICTIONARY DEFINITION	WHY EMPLOYER LOOK FOR THESE ATTITUDES
CONFIDENCE	Self-assurance or a belief in your ability to succeed.	This skill has both positive and negative aspects. ·          An arrogant person will not fit in well in the workplace.  Their arrogance is likely to upset other people, and in technical matters can easily lead to mistakes being made. ·          However, being able to calmly demonstrate your knowledge and ability is a positive attribute, especially in situations where you are supporting non-technical users.  Such users would not feel relaxed if the person providing them with advice and support did not seem sure about what they were doing or the information they gave.
DEPENDABILITY	Able to be trusted or depended on.	Employers rely on their employees to run their business efficiently and effectively.  Workers who turn up late every day, who take too much time off sick or who don’t complete the tasks they are set won’t last long in most jobs.  To get on in your career you will need to show that you are reliable.  This means turning up for work when you supposed to and doing the tasks you have been asked to do.  If for some reason you are unable to meet a commitment, you need to let your supervisor know, giving them as much notice as you can, so they can make alternative arrangements.
DETERMINATION	Firmness of purpose, will, or intention.	Work can sometimes be difficult and there may be problems to overcome, so having this attitude to succeed and solve problems is important.  People who give up easily and give up easily won’t impress their employers.
INTEGRITY	The quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards.	Being honest and truthful in the workplace is vital, because employers want people they can trust.  For example, they will expect you to work just as hard when your supervisor is not around as when he or she is.  You may also be trusted with expensive equipment which you will be required to look after.
LEADERSHIP	The ability to guide, direct, or influence people.	While you are unlikely to be in charge of a team or project in your first job, your employer will be looking for these qualities in you.  Someone who works well with others and inspires and encourages them.  They are good at planning and organising and can take the initiative.  In fact, this involves a combination of all the other skills mentioned here.
SELF-MOTIVATION	Energetic and ambitious, and so able to make plans and get things done without being directed by others.	Work can sometimes be difficult and may become repetitive.  People who lack the ability to work without supervision may not do a difficult or repetitive job properly or may give up all together, leaving other people to pick up the pieces.
INDEPENDENCE	Freedom from dependence on or control by another person, organization, or state.	In your first job in IT you probably won’t be working on your own, but employers will expect you to develop the ability to work unsupervised and to use your own initiative rather than always waiting for instructions.
TOLERANCE	The acceptance of the differing views of other people, e.g. in religious or political matters, and fairness towards the people who hold these different views.	In life we need to open-minded of other peoples differences, whether differences of attitude, culture or personality.  When working in a team you need to do your best to get on with all team members.  This might mean accepting other team members’ ways of working.  As an IT expert, you will probably have to deal with people who know very little about IT.  This can be frustrating and requires patience.