Why soft skills speak louder
According to 2015’s Backing Soft Skills report: ‘97% of UK employers believe soft skills are important to their current business success, and over half say skills like communication and teamwork are more important than traditional academic results’. Therefore, the things that are likely to set you apart from other candidates will be these vital soft skills – how you articulate your ideas, for example, how you interact with your boss and colleagues, and perhaps even how you respond to failure.
According to The Flux Report by Right Management, ‘91% of HR directors think that, by 2018, people will be recruited based on their ability to deal with change and uncertainty.
Adaptability
The ability to cope with change and adapt to an ever more dynamic workplace is one of the most overlooked skills in business, and an intern who is able to adjust quickly to new work environments will be much more likely to excel in their delegated tasks. Similarly, having an open mind when it comes to working with different people and with different scopes of work, as well as being able to multi-task between various assignments, is essential to individual progress. Those who thrive on change and enjoy frequent disruptions to their routine will find that these naturally adaptable abilities will serve them well in placements within PR, Media Jobs, Events Management and Journalism.
Problem solving
What sets a good problem solver apart from others is their positive attitude towards tackling challenges and a willingness to take personal responsibility when seeking a way around the problem. If you strongly believe that problems are actually opportunities in disguise, and that solving problems is much more enjoyable than simply tolerating them, you will likely thrive within programming, software development, product design or design engineering.
Collaboration
Although you will be hired as an individual, it’s crucial to remember that you are going to be one part of a bigger organisation. Many people have naturally fostered an achiever’s mindset, whereby proving ourselves to get a promotion has become more important than working together to achieve the greatest productivity. But before climbing the ladder to be a leader, you must first understand the dynamics of working within a group, and learn to be a team player. To switch to a collaborative mindset, start with having an open attitude towards working – from understanding different points of view without debating or arguing, receiving criticism without reacting defensively and sharing knowledge and experience openly with your co-workers.
Communication
A good communicator does not simply deliver messages, but strives to build a personal connection by considering how their message impacts other people. The company’s benefits in relation to the customer will gain more attention than another who simply lists the company’s strengths, for example. Similarly, actively listening to other people one-on-one allows you to respond appropriately, ensuring that others feel their opinions are not only acknowledged, but also valued.
Self motivation
A self-motivated individual has an intrinsic drive to go that extra mile to reach goals, to achieve beyond what has been asked and has the perseverance to deal with setbacks. A self-motivated employee strives for excellence in everything they do will naturally require less managing and be rewarded with both trust and greater responsibility. To those who go above and beyond every task, your path could lie in a role such as Social Media Assistant, Personal Assistant, Fashion, Account Management or whichever role excites and motivates you the most. Motivation In the short span of an interview however, may be difficult to show. Make sure to spend time talking about what motivates you and provide examples of when you have taken the initiative to respond to a problem with innovative solutions. It’s safe to say that every employee in every occupation, no matter what industry they’re in, needs soft skills to thrive – whether a secretary who needs time management skills, a lawyer who relies on good interpersonal skills or a nurse who requires excellent communication skills – and these abilities should not be overlooked when seeking an exciting new opportunity in the world of work. After all, it’s not just about what you know; it’s how you put it into practise that matters.
Article courtesy of Monster