Soft skills are sometimes referred to as transferable skills or professional skills. As this term implies, these are skills that are less specialized, less rooted in specific vocations and more aligned with the general disposition and personality of a candidate.
Soft skills relate to your attitudes and your intuitions. As soft skills are less about your qualifications and more personality-driven, it is important to consider what your soft skills are and how you might show evidence of them before you apply for a job.
This is particularly true of the recruitment process for graduate programs, where transferable skills and potential often take precedence over professional experience.
Soft skills are the difference between adequate candidates and ideal candidates. In most competitive job markets, recruitment criteria are not limited to technical ability and specialist knowledge.
Every job role requires some interaction with others, whether they are colleagues or customers, so soft skills will be important to most employers.
Earlier in your career, recruiters will be looking for people who have the potential to become leaders. They won't expect you to have all the qualifications and experience from day one, but they will need to know that you have the qualities that will allow you to learn and grow in the role.
Here are some examples of the difference made by soft skills:
A doctor is required to have an extensive repertoire of hard skills, especially the ability to diagnose and prescribe treatments for an array of ailments. But a doctor who does not have the soft skills of emotional intelligence, trustworthiness and approachability is not likely to be very highly regarded by their patients.
A salesperson, who may have an unrivaled and exhaustive knowledge of their market, will find it difficult to close a deal and retain their clients if they lack the soft skills of interpersonal skills and negotiation.
A customer services professional with amazing organizational skills will only do well if they are also able to interact professionally with customers, and have empathy and listening skills.
1. Communication
Communication is one of the most important soft skills. Able communicators can adjust their tone and style according to their audience, comprehend and act efficiently on instructions, and explain complex issues to colleagues and clients alike.
A key, often forgotten, communication skill is listening. Whether you are dealing with a customer complaint or working with your colleagues, good listening skills will help you learn and respond correctly to the circumstance you have been presented with.
Equally as important are your verbal and non-verbal skills. Verbal skills are key to fostering relationships that are collaborative and respectful, and, ultimately, productive. This also applies to your written communication.
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2. Self-Motivation
Having a positive attitude and the initiative to work well without around-the-clock supervision is a vital soft skill for any employee.
Not only does it demonstrate reliability and commitment, but it also shows that you can fit efficiently into an organisational structure without the need for constant supervision.
To demonstrate your motivation, think about these keys skills:
Positivity** GET TIPS HERE
Ambition
Commitment
Initiative
3. Leadership
Leadership (GET TIPS HERE) is a soft skill you can show even if you’re not directly managing others. Those with strong leadership skills will have the ability to inspire others and lead teams to success. This is why it is a particularly sought-after skill.
People with good leadership skills will have a range of skills that are useful in the workplace, including:
The ability to make quick and effective decisions
Exemplary problem-solving or conflict management skills
The ability to communicate effectively
An aptitude for both self-motivating and motivating others
Even if you are applying for an entry-level role, don't be afraid to demonstrate your potential by showing how you have positively influenced others to take a project to success.
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4. Flexibility
Flexibility is an important soft skill, since it demonstrates an ability and willingness to embrace new tasks and new challenges calmly and without fuss.
Flexible employees are willing to help out where needed, take on extra responsibilities and can adapt quickly when plans change.
Employers are looking for candidates who can show a willing and upbeat attitude, and who are unfazed by change.
5. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
This is another of those soft skills which employers look for in potential leaders.
To be an adept negotiator is to know how to be persuasive and exert influence, while sensitively seeking a solution which will benefit all parties.
Similarly, conflict resolution depends on strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish a rapport with colleagues and clients alike.
As with hard skills, you should spend some time considering what your soft skills are(it may help to ask people who know you well) and highlight them in your resume and in job interviews. Hard skills can be shown via qualifications, but soft skills are more slippery.
It is important to fully research the company you are applying to and identify which of your soft skills are most relevant to the role.
Once you have identified the soft skills that are most relevant to the role you are applying for, make sure you prepare to talk about them at interview and include them as keywords in your resume or cover letter.
Even though soft skills are not as easily learnt as technical ability or passing an exam, they can certainly be developed and improved over time.
Improving your soft skills can be tricky as this requires quite a lot of introspection, which can be difficult or uncomfortable if you haven't done it before.
If you want to improve on your soft skills or have some you need to develop to work in a certain role, here are some tips to help:
Participate in self-reflection. In order to improve, you must first be honest about where your shortcomings are. This isn't always easy. If you are struggling, ask a friend or family member to help you identify your true strengths and weaknesses.
Look for online training. Once you have identified the areas you need to improve, look for some online courses that will help you learn skills that would be useful in the workplace.
Observe others. Look to others who exemplify the soft skills you want to improve. If you have a relationship with them, ask for their advice or coaching.
Practice. All soft skills will improve with practice. Once you have obtained training or coaching, practice using your new-found skills with friends or family before your interview. This will give you the confidence to take these skills into the workplace.
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