32 Life Skills to Teach Your Students for Their First Job

Your students might know the capital of Greece or how to solve for x in a quadratic equation, but are they prepared for the real world of work? 

Enter life skills—the not-so-secret sauce for success in the workplace. 

From managing time to analyzing data, these skills are the keys to standing out on day one of their first job. Let’s break them down and show you how you can bring them into your classroom.  

32 Life Skills to Teach Your Students For Their First Job

Getting ready for that all-important first job is about so much more than just having a polished resume or dressing the part. Your students need life skills—the kind that can’t simply be Googled or skimmed from a textbook. 

Some are soft skills that help them communicate and connect with others. Others are technical and practical, ensuring they can actually function in the workplace. Covering both is key to setting them up for success.  

Here are some you should be focusing on:

1. Time Management 

Time management is the unofficial gold standard of life skills. Successful employees know how to balance multiple tasks without breaking a sweat—or missing a deadline. Teach your students to prioritize, create daily schedules, and focus on high-impact tasks. 

One practical way to incorporate this into lessons is by asking students to plan a week-long project from start to finish, factoring in time for research, execution, and review. Not only will this teach them discipline, but they’ll thank you later when they’re juggling meetings and deadlines like pros. 

2. Critical Thinking 

Workplaces thrive on solutions, not only problems. Critical thinking pushes students to ask “why” and “how” instead of settling for “what.” It’s the engine behind good decision-making. 

Start by presenting students with real-world challenges and encourage them to brainstorm potential solutions. Throw in some debates while you’re at it—there’s nothing like arguing over whether pineapple belongs on pizza to develop logic and reasoning skills. 

Spoiler alert: it’s always a yes to pineapple, as long as you can back it up with good evidence.  

3. Basic Tech Skills 

If your students think Excel is just for making random grids, we’ve got work to do. An employee who understands basic tech tools like spreadsheets, email etiquette, and productivity apps is already ahead of the game. 

Teach them shortcuts in Word, tips for polished email formatting, and how to create simple formulas in Excel. Assign projects that require them to use these tools—think presentations, shared doc collaborations, and data entry tasks. 

Trust us, knowing how to fix that rogue PowerPoint bullet point is a life-saving skill.  

4. Analysis 

Data is everywhere, and employees who can make sense of it are an asset to any team. Get students comfortable by teaching them to read and interpret graphs, charts, and trends. 

For a hands-on approach, ask them to analyze real-life case studies or gather and interpret their own survey data. Soon enough, they’ll be spotting inconsistencies in stats like Sherlock Holmes with a spreadsheet.  

5. Job Search Skills 

Job hunt success requires knowing how to craft a killer résumé and nail an interview. 

Walk your students through building a simple LinkedIn profile, writing engaging cover letters, and practicing mock interviews. Challenge them to draft résumés for made-up jobs, complete with unique selling points unless “Professional Netflix Watcher” somehow qualifies. 

6. Verbal Communication 

No, verbal communication isn’t just talking someone’s ear off at the cafeteria. It’s about being articulate, confident, and effective during team meetings, presentations, or even casual office conversations.

Integrate this skill into your classroom by getting students to present ideas on topics they’re passionate about. Better yet, try role-playing scenarios like presenting to a “manager” or explaining instructions to a “teammate.” The more they practice now, the more likely they’ll dominate the art of communication later.  

7. Nonverbal Communication

If you think nonverbal communication ends at “don’t slouch,” think again—it’s so much more. Eye contact, tone, posture, and even how they use their hands play a role in workplace impressions. 

Take time to show your students how much their nonverbal cues can influence conversations. Set up activities where peers analyze body language during discussions or presentations. By the time they earn their first paycheck, they’ll know how to smile without it feeling forced and perhaps even how to avoid that awkward arm-crossing habit.  

8. Organization 

Picture this: a desk piled so high with papers that the boss’s email detailing tomorrow’s priorities is buried somewhere under old Starbucks receipts. Not ideal, right? That’s where organization comes in. Developing this skill means teaching students how to plan, prioritize, and manage their tasks effectively. 

Start with techniques like using planners, to-do lists, or digital tools like Trello. Simple exercises like keeping track of deadlines on a classroom calendar can drive home how staying organized reduces stress and helps hit goals (whether they’re project deadlines or just remembering to pack lunch). 

9. Empathy 

Contrary to popular belief, empathy isn’t reserved for therapists. Every workplace requires an ability to communicate with kindness and understand others’ perspectives—whether it’s calming down an irate customer or navigating a tricky team dynamic. 

Role-playing is your trusted ally here. Have students act out realistic workplace scenarios, like resolving a team conflict or listening to a customer complaint. It’s all about building the habit of pausing to consider what someone else might be going through. 

10. Task Initiation 

No teacher, manager, or boss wants to hear “I was just waiting to be told what to do.” A student who can take charge and start tasks without constant hand-holding will shine in any role. 

Teach this by building prompts into your lessons that encourage independence. Create assignments where students have to brainstorm their own action plans before getting started. Praise initiative whenever possible—it reinforces how taking the first step is a skill worth celebrating. 

11. Goal Setting

What’s life without goals? Confusing, honestly. Whether it’s finishing that 20-page report or saving up for a dream vacation, the ability to set and achieve goals translates directly to success in any job. 

Start with teaching SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Ask students to set short-term and long-term school-related goals (like “Get an A on the next math test” or “Choose a college by spring break”) and check in regularly on their progress. Show them how breaking goals into bite-sized steps makes any mountain climbable. 

12. Sending Mail

There’s nothing that screams, “I’m woefully unprepared for adulting” more than not knowing how to write a proper email or what to say in a cover letter. 

Practice this by assigning email writing tasks. Have students write formal thank-you emails or draft cold outreach for an informational interview. Show them how to address the recipient, craft a clear subject line, and use a professional tone. 

Also, be sure to teach how actual snail mail works, too—they’ll thank you when they’re sending holiday cards or business contracts in the future. 

13. Financial Literacy 

Money management is a life skill that can save your students from future headaches (and late billing fees). 

Teach them the basics of understanding a paycheck, budgeting, and saving. Simulations like creating a mock job with a monthly salary and planning out expenses can work wonders. 

Bonus points if you show them the horrors of compound interest on debt—it’ll make them think twice before maxing out a credit card. 

14. Emotional Regulation

A quick tip for life and work alike? Losing your cool in the middle of a bad situation doesn’t help—ever. Emotional regulation is about pausing, processing feelings, and responding productively, even when things get tough. 

Mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or guided meditations are great starters. Pair this with journaling prompts after stressful moments to help students reflect on how they could react differently in the future. When frustration doesn’t derail them during a high-pressure meeting or deadline, they’ll know it’s thanks to this life skill. 

15. Public Speaking 

You know what’s universally terrifying? Talking to a room full of people who are all paying attention to you. But it’s also one of the most useful skills—whether your student is presenting quarterly results or giving a small team update. 

Create opportunities for speech practice. Assign short class presentations or encourage answering discussion questions out loud. They don’t need to morph into stand-up comedians overnight. The goal is to boost confidence and help them string thoughts together clearly, even while slightly nervous.

16. First Aid 

Nobody’s asking your students to be the next ER doctor, but basic first aid can make them workplace heroes when needed. From knowing how to treat a minor injury to keeping calm during a worksite accident, these skills are always appreciated. 

Get creative—partner with organizations that offer first aid workshops or show instructional videos. Combine hands-on practice (like treating simulated burns) with lessons on how to call emergency services. Your students might never need it, but if they do, they’ll be glad you prepared them. 

17. Creativity 

Creativity is an asset in nearly every profession. At its core, creativity is about approaching tasks and problems in innovative ways. Employers love this skill because it fosters out-of-the-box thinking to overcome challenges. 

You can nurture creativity by assigning open-ended projects or encouraging brainstorming sessions in class. The goal is to help your students stretch their minds and consider possibilities beyond the obvious.  

18. Coping With Failure

Failure isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone toward growth. But for many students, failure can be a tough pill to swallow. Teaching them how to cope with setbacks can build their confidence and prevent them from giving up too quickly. 

Use classroom experiences as examples; when a student makes a mistake, guide them in reflecting on what went wrong and what could be done differently. It’s less about the failure itself and more about how they learn from it going forward. 

19. Self-Control 

Patience is a virtue—and self-control’s one true bestie. From staying professional when a project gets frustrating to resisting the temptation of Instagram during a team meeting, self-control helps students keep their cool. 

Discuss goal-setting, prioritization, and mindfulness techniques with your class to give them tools to manage their impulses. This simple skill can make a huge difference in how they handle workplace challenges.  

20. Problem Solving

Every job comes with its fair share of hurdles, and being able to tackle them head-on is vital. Problem-solving combines analytical thinking, persistence, and preparedness to find practical solutions. 

Scenario-based learning works well for this. Present your students with hypothetical workplace problems and encourage them to brainstorm multiple approaches. This hands-on method teaches them to analyze situations and use critical thinking effectively.  

21. Flexibility

The ability to roll with the punches is priceless, especially in today’s fast-changing work environments. From rapidly adapting to new software to shifting gears when a project pivots unexpectedly, flexibility keeps employees relevant and reliable. 

Bring this into your classroom by introducing variety—experiment with different teaching methods or assign group work where roles shift mid-project. It helps students become comfortable with unpredictability.  

22. Writing 

Good writing doesn’t mean drafting Pulitzer-level novels—it means communicating with clarity. Whether drafting an email, creating a report, or updating a LinkedIn profile, writing with purpose is another essential life skill for your students to master before they leave school.

Practice concise writing techniques with your students through tasks like summarizing articles. You can also assign mock workplace correspondence, such as professional emails, to help them build this skill in a practical context.  

23. Resiliency 

No one tells you just how draining workdays can feel at times. Resiliency helps students regain focus after setbacks and bounce back after bad days. 

Show them that building resilience isn’t about toughening up—it’s about self-care and maintaining a positive mindset. Incorporate activities like group discussions on overcoming challenges or guided reflection exercises to strengthen their mental endurance. 

24. Decision Making

Decisions, decisions. Whether it’s choosing a lunch spot with coworkers or determining the best course of action for a project, knowing how to make choices is a skill everyone needs. Good decision-making involves recognizing options, weighing potential outcomes, and landing on the best choice.

To help students develop this skill, present them with hypothetical job scenarios and ask them to walk through their reasoning. For example, “The team missed a deadline. Do you assign extra work equally, or ask the most efficient worker to tackle the priority?” Walk them through the world of cause and effect to bolster their confidence.

25. Collaboration 

News flash—working alone isn’t always an option. Collaboration is required in nearly all industries, whether it’s pairing up on projects or working in larger teams. It’s about listening, contributing, and pulling their own weight.

Practice makes perfect here. Assign both team and individual tasks, letting students experience the challenge (and fun) of working with others. Encourage discussions on communication styles. 

And don’t forget debriefs—talk about what worked and what didn’t, fostering a learning environment that values both effort and outcome.

26. Talking on the Phone

Emailing is easy, but for some, answering a phone call feels like performing live at Carnegie Hall. Whether it’s speaking with customers, vendors, or colleagues, phone skills matter more than students might think. Confidence and clarity in phone conversations make a big difference in professional domains.

Run mock phone scenarios during class that get students practicing greetings, active listening, and wrapping up calls succinctly. Toss in a few curveball questions to sharpen their ability to think on their feet. And remind them—mute buttons are their best friend in a pinch!

27. Self-Awareness 

How can someone improve if they don’t know their strengths and weaknesses? Self-awareness helps students understand how they impact their environment, which in turn makes them better coworkers.

Start with a simple activity like peer feedback. Give students three traits they can critique constructively about one another. Pair this with journaling exercises where they can reflect on their daily actions or reactions. By encouraging self-reflection, you’re teaching them how to consistently improve themselves.

28. Leadership 

Not everyone is going to step into a corner office on day one, but you can bet students will have moments where leadership qualities come in handy. Even something as simple as organizing a meeting or delegating tasks is a form of leadership they might need.

Leadership activities are always a winner. Have students take turns leading classroom discussions or group projects. Run “what would a leader do?” role-playing exercises. Even small, everyday moments are opportunities to give students leadership training.

29. Etiquette 

Etiquette: think concise emails, proper handshakes, knowing when to speak and when to listen, and handling “oops” moments. Employers won’t expect perfection, but they will appreciate a professional demeanor.

Give students an etiquette survival guide—things like not texting during meetings (duh) and proofreading emails before hitting send. Host a “mock office” day where students practice working in a professional setting, complete with coffee breaks and office banter.

30. How to Say “No”

Saying no? That’s a skill many adults still haven’t mastered. But it’s necessary! Burnout happens when saying “yes” is a reflex. Whether it’s declining overtime, politely refusing additional tasks, or avoiding lunch invites that cut into deadlines, knowing when (and how) to say no is critical.

Teach students the art of delivering a soft no. Role-play scenarios where they turn down tasks tactfully without alienating coworkers or appearing unreliable. Phrases like “I’d love to help, but I’m at capacity right now” or “How about we revisit this next week?” can go a long way.

31. Doing Their Taxes

Filing taxes isn’t the most glamorous job skill, but boy, is it essential. Knowing how to handle W-4s, calculate deductions, and understand basic tax filing procedures should be in every young professional’s toolkit.

Dedicate some time to providing a crash course in taxes. Bring in local tax professionals or use online resources to teach students how to read paychecks, identify tax brackets, and file returns. Make spreadsheets their new best friend, and they’ll thank you for life.

32. Humor

Wait, humor? That’s a skill? You bet it is! The ability to inject humor into conversations can help diffuse tense situations, build camaraderie, and establish rapport in the workplace.

Show students the power of humor by encouraging them to share jokes or funny anecdotes during class discussions. Just remind them to keep it appropriate and non-offensive—there’s a thin line between clever and inappropriate. Good humor can turn tough workdays into memorable ones.

Let Stanfield Company Help You Help Your Students Succeed

Life skills are more than just concepts you teach. They’re the tools that prepare students for real-world success. By equipping your students with decision-making strategies, collaboration techniques, and even a little humor, you’re sending them into the workforce fully prepared to excel.

At Stanfield Company, we care about helping you make this happen. Our comprehensive curriculum, like the Complete Job Skills Library, includes everything from soft skill development to practical life lessons designed to guide your students toward professional success. 

We provide the resources you need to make teaching life skills seamless. You provide the magic. 

Want to learn more? Visit us to discover how our life skills modules can make a real difference in your classroom.