Character Counts in the Workplace
Patty Edwards Shaver
Have you heard the saying, “Character counts”? Well, it does count. Character can be applied to all of life, especially career life. How we display our personality traits to employers, co-workers and customers is by our attitude, words and actions.
The Josephson Institite (JI) of southern California, developer of the national youth program Character Counts!, also developed a program for businesses called "The Six Pillars of Character" based on six character traits:
- trustworthiness: having integrity; being honest, reliable and loyal
- respect: be courteous, tolerant; accept differences and show dignity
- responsibility: be self-controled and accountable for your actions; do your best
- fairness: play by the rules, be openminded
- caring: being kind and compassionate, help those in need
- citizenship: obey laws and rules; be involved in community
When it comes to finding a job, desirable character, or personality traits, is just as important as skills, abilities and knowledge. Think about your personality traits, and how you have demonstrated these traits in the workplace. Be ready to use examples in your interviews.
Patty Edwards Shaver is author of My Career Voyage: Charting the Course, a career management book that offers the career navigation tools designed to help you stay on course. For more information, go to http://www.mycareervoyage.com/books
