Tamil Nadu HSE First Year Employability Skills cheat sheet

Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and feelings through a sender, a message, a channel, a receiver, and feedback; noise is any interference at any stage.

The 7 C's of effective communication are Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete, and Courteous.

Verbal communication uses words (spoken or written); non-verbal communication includes body language, facial expression, gestures, posture, eye contact, and tone of voice.

Listening is not hearing: active listening means paying attention, not interrupting, paraphrasing, and asking clarifying questions to confirm understanding.

Barriers to communication fall into physical (noise, distance), semantic (jargon, ambiguous words), psychological (prejudice, emotions), and organisational (hierarchy, unclear channels) types.

Formal communication follows the official chain of command and is usually written; informal communication (grapevine) spreads quickly but is less reliable.

In written communication, a formal letter uses a salutation, body, complimentary close, and signature; email adds subject line and cc/bcc fields.

In an interview or group discussion: greet, maintain eye contact, listen fully before answering, keep answers specific, and avoid filler words.

Self-management means regulating one's own emotions, thoughts, and behaviour to achieve personal and professional goals without constant supervision.

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound; a goal without a deadline is only a wish.

Time management tools include the to-do list, the priority matrix (urgent/important), and time logs; procrastination is the main destroyer of time.

The Eisenhower matrix sorts tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important (do now), important but not urgent (schedule), urgent but not important (delegate), neither (eliminate).

Stress is the body's response to pressure; positive stress (eustress) motivates, while prolonged negative stress harms health. Stress management techniques include deep breathing, exercise, sleep, and time management.

Self-awareness comes from reflecting on strengths and weaknesses; self-confidence grows from competence, preparation, and positive self-talk.

Grooming and personal hygiene, punctuality, and appropriate dress code are part of professional self-presentation.

Emotional intelligence (EI) has five components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.

Hardware is the physical part of a computer (CPU, RAM, keyboard, monitor); software is the set of programs that instruct the hardware.

RAM is volatile working memory that loses data on power-off; ROM is non-volatile and stores firmware; the hard disk or SSD is non-volatile secondary storage.

Input devices send data in (keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone); output devices send data out (monitor, printer, speaker); a touchscreen is both.

An operating system (Windows, Linux, Android) manages hardware, files, and applications; application software includes word processors, spreadsheets, and browsers.

A file is identified by its name and extension (e.g., .docx, .xlsx, .jpg); folders organise files hierarchically, and Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V/Ctrl+X copy, paste, and cut.

A network connects computers to share resources; the internet is a global network of networks, and a browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) displays web pages via URLs.

Email fields: To (primary recipient), Cc (carbon copy, visible to all), Bcc (blind copy, hidden from other recipients); never share passwords or OTPs.

Cyber safety rules: use strong unique passwords, avoid clicking unknown links, install antivirus, log out of shared devices, and back up data regularly.

An entrepreneur identifies an opportunity, takes calculated risk, mobilises resources, and creates value; entrepreneurship is the process of starting and running a business.

Key entrepreneurial qualities: initiative, risk-taking, innovation, persistence, problem-solving, decision-making, and the ability to spot opportunities.

A business idea must solve a real customer problem; market research (surveys, interviews, observation) tests demand before investment.

A business plan typically covers the idea, market analysis, marketing strategy, operations, finance, and risk; a start-up needs capital, team, and a revenue model.

Types of enterprise: sole proprietorship (one owner, unlimited liability), partnership (shared ownership), and company (separate legal entity, limited liability).

Profit = Total Revenue − Total Cost; break-even is the level of sales at which revenue equals cost and profit is zero.

SWOT analysis identifies Strengths, Weaknesses (internal) and Opportunities, Threats (external) to evaluate a business idea.

A start-up ecosystem includes finance (bank loans, government schemes), mentors, incubators, and customers; in India, MSME and start-up schemes support young entrepreneurs.

Green skills are the knowledge, abilities, and values needed to live and work sustainably, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution.

Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass) are replenished naturally; non-renewable sources (coal, petroleum, natural gas) are finite and emit greenhouse gases.

The 3 R's of waste management: Reduce (use less), Reuse (use again), Recycle (convert into new products); composting handles organic waste.

The 5 R's extend this to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover - refuse unnecessary items first.

Carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, product, or organisation, measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs (Brundtland definition).

Green jobs are employment in renewable energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection.

Energy conservation at home: switch off unused lights, use LED bulbs, fix leaking taps, use public transport, and segregate waste.

A hazard is any source of potential harm; risk is the likelihood and severity of harm occurring from that hazard.

The hierarchy of controls ranks safety measures: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering controls, Administrative controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - PPE is the last line of defence.

Common workplace hazards: physical (noise, heat, electricity), chemical (fumes, acids), biological (bacteria, viruses), ergonomic (poor posture, repetitive strain), and psychosocial (stress, harassment).

Safety signs: red = prohibition/fire, yellow = warning, blue = mandatory instruction, green = safe condition/emergency exit.

Fire safety uses the PASS technique for extinguishers: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

First aid basics: stop bleeding with pressure, cool burns with running water, and never move a person with a suspected spinal injury; call emergency services (India: 112).

Electrical safety: never touch switches with wet hands, use earthing, avoid overloading sockets, and switch off the main supply before repairs.

Personal hygiene, clean drinking water, proper ventilation, and correct lifting posture (bend knees, keep the load close) prevent workplace illness and injury.

A project is a planned task with a defined objective, timeline, resources, and deliverable; the project cycle is plan, execute, monitor, and close.

A project report typically includes title, objective, introduction, methodology, observations/results, conclusion, and references.

A group discussion or role-play assesses communication, listening, teamwork, and leadership; each participant should contribute, not dominate.

A résumé (CV) includes contact details, objective, education, skills, projects, and references; keep it one page for a fresher.

A cover letter is a short formal letter stating the post applied for, why you are suitable, and a request for an interview, ending with a polite closing.

A portfolio or project file documents evidence of work: photos, survey data, charts, and a reflection on what was learned.

Teamwork roles include leader, coordinator, recorder, and presenter; assigning clear roles prevents duplication of work.

A practical assessment usually scores planning, execution, documentation, presentation, and teamwork; keep records and rehearse the presentation.