July 2012/ Volume 2/Issue 7/Article No-17/1285-1292

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

AND REVIEW
THE ROLE OF SOFT SKILLS IN EMPLOYABILITY
Richard Remedios*1
I/c Principal, S.V.E.T Commerce & Management College, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
ABSTRACT
You can give lifetime employability by training people, by making them adaptable, making
them mobile to go other places to do other things. But you cant guarantee life time
employment.Jack Welch. In the new economy of rapid technological change and
increasing business complexity, organizations are striving for developing quality human
capital. Soft Skills can provide the path towards this goal. Soft skills are very important to
enhance employability. Soft skills need to be enhanced in students to make them competent
enough to meet the demands of the current job market. There should be an integrated
approach from all the stakeholders such as faculty, students, educational institutions and the
industry to bring awareness about soft skills among the students and promote the same for
enhancing employability. This paper tries to explain the meaning of soft skills, its importance
to increase employability, the sources from where they can be acquired. The paper focuses on
the application of various concepts of communication and behavioral aspects of personal
effectiveness. It also tries to explain each component of soft skill to be inculcated in students
for a better tomorrow as corporate managers.
Keywords: Soft Skills, Life time employment, Employability, Professionalism, Stakeholders.
1. INTRODUCTION
In the new economy of rapid technological change and increasing business complexity,
organizations are striving for developing quality human capital. Soft Skills can provide the
path towards this goal. The journal focuses on the application of various concepts of
communication and behavioral aspects of personal effectiveness. The journal will address all
issues of soft skills including Organizational Communication (Corporate Communication),
Interpersonal Communication and Global Communication (Cross-Cultural Communication).
It would also address issues on stress and attitudes. The journal aims to be a medium of
expression and exchange of ideas among soft skills trainers that would be of interest to
academicians and industry professionals. It would also be a medium for industry
professionals to share their best practices.
2. WHAT IS SKILL?
A skill is learned ability and capacity to carry out pre-determined steps needed to pursue
career in professional objectives with minimum of time and effort. Skills are needed in every
area of human endeavour such as self motivation, time management, team building, and
leadership traits. The second group of skills include domain specific skills such as design
engineering, operations, maintenance or R & D. Most corporate recruiters have to
*Corresponding Author

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say that Today's business graduates have an abundance of technical knowledge. They can do
linear programming problems, calculate a discounted rate of return and crunch numbers on a
computer spreadsheet. They are technically solid, but most lack the interpersonal and social
skills necessary to manage people. If there is an area where business schools need to improve,
it's in developing the people skills of their graduates.
(Robbins & Hunsaker). Skill can be developed in a conducive environment by a group of
experts in what could be called a 'skill clinic', where they find a stimulus for skill
development which can also be measured and analyzed. Individuals need a broad range of
skill sets for attaining their career objectives to suit every fast changing technology they need
to work with in their respective organizations.
3. WHAT ARE SOFT SKILLS?
Before going any further in explaining the term soft skills, we have to clarify the term What
are soft skills? The basic question is not easy to answer because the perception of soft skills
is different from context to context. A subject may be considered as soft skill in one
particular area and a hard skill in another area. On top of it the understanding of soft skill
varies widely. Knowledge of project management is nice to have for an electrical
engineer, but it is must to have for a civil engineer. Training in cultural awareness might be
useful for a chemist but it is a must to have for a human resource management consultant in
societies of diverse cultures. The term soft skills was first used in 1972 and was not widely
used until the early 1990s. Moss and Tilly define soft skills as skills, abilities, and traits that
pertain to personality, attitudes and behavior rather than to formal or technical knowledge.
These are a collection of skills and abilities related to the execution of a job, such as
communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management skills, negotiation skills,
motivation skills, writing skills, problem solving skills and decision making skills. The
Wikipedia (2007) defines soft skills as Soft skills refers to the cluster of personality traits,
social graces, facility with language, social traits, personal habits, friendliness, positive
nature, that mark people to varying degrees. These are essential at every level of the
organization.
Table I: Examples of Soft Skills
Communication Skills
Responsibility
Self Management
Etiquette and Good Manners
Time Management Skills
Courtesy and Self Esteem
Critical and Structured thinking
Empathy
Problem Solving skills
Work Ethics
Creativity
Project Management
Teamwork Capability
Business Management
Conflict Management
Integrity and Honesty
Cultural Awareness
Common Knowledge
[ Source: Wikipedia (2007)]

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Table 1 offers a list of soft skills based on the wikipedia definition. The list is not exhaustive.
In January 2007, the career management consultant, Challa Ram Phani published an article
under the headline The top 60 soft skills at work, listing and discussing those 60 skills
which according to his study are the personal traits and skills which employers state are the
most important for enhancing the employability for jobs.
4. ACQUIRING SOFT SKILLS
There are two conventional methods of improving soft skill i.e enrolling for a formal training,
e.g taking evening classes on Rhetoric, languages, presentation skills, conflict or cultural
management. This is a well proven concept with an advantage of having a certificate at the
end of the course, which might come in handy for job applications. The other way of
acquiring soft skills is self training usually based on books. Changing of personality traits
requires long term practice and therefore self training might be more important to develop
this category of skills. Additionally, during the last decade another method of self training has
become more popular-e-learning. The article, Yes, web based training can teach soft
skills(Horton, 2007) emphasizes the practically of this approach.
A very pleasant way of training ones soft skills is frequent socializing with ones friends,
relatives, colleagues and other members of the society. Conscious socializing with a specific
purpose in mind to enhance soft skills is important. We know already that is this way we can
improve this small talk capabilities, but there are a lot more soft skills especially related to
communication skills, which can be practiced while chatting and discussing with others in an
informal manner e.g language proficiency in general, listening, discussing, etiquette, self
esteem or body language.
At most of the educational institutions, the teaching methodology is changed to more student
centred learning and teaching. Such a shift goes hand in hand in embedding soft skills into
the teaching of hard skills. In other words, the students participating in a lecture with the aim
of earning a hard skill will inevitably unconsciously practice a range of soft skills. This
comes very close to an ideal way of lecturing. Many educators will now rightfully intervene,
asking whether the shaping of personal traits does not start at a much earlier stage, lets say at
a childs cradle? And of course, this is exactly the case. Parents and schoolteachers have
superior influence on a young persons aptitude in soft skills. This puts a lot of responsibility
in this regard onto the shoulders of a childs family and school.
5. ENHANCING STUDENTS SOFT SKILLS FOR EMPLOYABILITY
The challenge before the industry does not lie in the supply of talent but rather that of
employability. Azim Premji, Chairman Wipro Ltd.
To enhance employability, students must review and assess the requirements of recruiters.
Those who are better equipped with both hard and soft skills are likely to survive and
succeed on the professional front. It is often observed that students who are academically
strong have a know it all attitude that prevents them from learning and growing. Recruiters
stick to the slogan recruit for attitude and train for skill. The students need to know the basic
expectation of the company to present and evolve themselves accordingly. It is essential to
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revolutionalise the present educational system in India by plugging the grey areas and by
making it practical and employment oriented. To enhance employability, effective
synchronization and coordination between the five stakeholders, namely faculty, students,
industry, training and placement officer (TPO) and directors of educational institutions, is
necessary.
A first step in improving soft skills of students is to raise their awareness about the
importance of soft skills and the consequences of shortcomings in this regard. Students
should be encouraged to enhance their soft skills by applying the methods we mentioned
before, e.g. reading dedicated books, attending courses, and joining clubs or societies to
broaden their horizon, like debating societies, Toast Masters who are practicing Rhetoric, or
scientific societies who offer presentations and discussions. A formal approach to the
problem would be to incorporate soft skills subjects into a programmes curriculum. On
lower levels a course that requires students to do a bit of research and to present their results
to the class afterwards has been proven as being quite effective. On graduate level a course
on management skills, including e.g. some communication skills together with the
management of time, conflict, cultural issues, and of major importance, oneself, has in
practice been well received by students. However, very often the curricula are already
overloaded with hard skills courses, making it almost impossible to add or substitute courses.
Furthermore, other lecturers might be ignorant of the importance of soft skills and hence, do
not support dedicated courses in this regard. A very elegant way of offering soft skills
training to students is to embed it into the teaching of hard skills. This way, no changes to a
programmes curriculum are necessary; instead the change will be reflected in the lecturers
teaching methodology. An increase in group discussions, letting students do presentations can
be applied throughout a course. This approach to practicing soft skills requires some rethinking and re-planning of existing hard skill courses. An example would be a mathematics
teacher who plans a lecture by firstly determining what soft skills s/he wishes to enhance on
that day, and then secondly considers how the required mathematics content can be arranged
to support this goal. Correctly applied, such an approach to teaching will automatically
increase the attractiveness and effectiveness of a course regarding both, hard skills and soft
skills.
Table II. The? Must Have? and ?Good To Have? Elements of Soft Skills
No. Soft Skills

1.

Communicative
Skills

Must Have
Skills)

Elements

(Sub- Good To Have Elements

(Sub-Skills)
Ability to use technology
Ability to deliver idea clearly, during presentation.
effectively and with confidence Ability to discuss and arrive
either orally or in writing
at a consensus.
Ability to practice active listening Ability to communicate
skill and respond.
with individual from a
Ability to present clearly and different
cultural
confidently to the audience.
background.
Ability to expand one?s
own communicative skill.

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

ISSN: 2249-7196
Ability to use non-oral
skills.
Ability to think beyond..
Ability to make conclusion
based on valid proof.
Ability to withstand and
give full responsibility.
Ability to understand and
accommodate oneself to the
varied working environment
Ability to give contribution
to
the
planning
and
coordinate group work.
Responsible towards group
decision.

Ability to identify and analyze

problems in difficult situation and
Critical Thinking make justifiable evaluation.
and
Problem Ability to expand and improve
Solving Skills
thinking skills such as explanation,
analysis and evaluate discussion.
Ability to find ideas and look for
alternative solutions.
Ability to build a good rapport ,
interact and work effectively with
others.
Team Work
Ability to understand and play the
role of a leader and follower
alternatively.
Ability to recognize and respect
other?s attitude, behavior and
beliefs.
Ability to find and manage Ability to develop an
Life-Long
relevant information from various inquiry mind and seek
Learning
& sources.
knowledge.
Information
Ability to receive new ideas
Management
performs autonomy learning.
Skill
Ability to propose business
Entrepreneurship Ability
to
identify
job opportunity.
skill
opportunities.
Ability to build, explore and
seek business opportunities
and job.
Ability to be self-employed.
Ability to understand the economy Ability to practice ethical
crisis, environment and social attitudes besides having the
Ethics, Moral & cultural aspects professionally.
responsibility
towards
Professional
Ability to analyze make problem society.
solving decisions related to ethics.

Knowledge of the basic theories of Ability to understand and

leadership.
take turns as a leader and
7.
Leadership skill
Ability to lead a project.
follower alternatively.
Ability
to
supervise
members of a group.
Only a quality future human capital can envision development of its nation to meet the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs. Therefore, the inculcation of soft skills among the students will be two prongs, to
produce quality human capital and to develop their knowledge, understanding, values and
skills as well. How the two skills blend together will be discussed here.
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1. Communicative Skills
The communicative skills involve effective communication in both the national language and
English language in different contexts and with different people. There are eight sub-skills
under communicative skills of which three are the must have skills and five are the good to
have skills. Communicative skills are an integral part of any education system either in higher
education or lower education. As mentioned earlier, in many countries, basic education or
primary education is mandatory and it focuses on reading, writing and ciphering. People learn
to read books, write letters, figure accounts and develop skills necessary to fulfill their
expected roles in their households and community. At this very level, emphasis has been
given to develop the communicative skills of individual so that by the time they leave
college, they are able to participate in public and community activities and decision making.
What is found to be missing in the nation?s present human capital is the lack of
communicative skills. The absence of good communicative skills somehow or rather has an
influence on the poor presentation of their views and decisions made to gain others?
confidence and respect. Communicative skills have also been greatly emphasized in the
reorientation of basic education for ESD (Education for sustainable development) which is:
the ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing). The communicative skill
seemed to be one important component that lacks in the future human capital. The
incompetence of the future graduates to master both languages will be a set-back to a lot of
potential development and advancement of the country. Thus, this is a good time to
reorientate the curriculum of higher institutions to embed communicative skills.
2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
This skill includes the ability to think critically, creatively, innovatively and analytically. It
also involves the ability to apply knowledge and understanding to new and different problems
as well. For ESD to be successful, it must give people practical skills that will enable them to
continue learning after they leave school, to have a sustainable livelihood and to live
sustainable lives. The critical thinking skills, skills to organize and interpret data and
information, skills to formulate questions and the ability to analyze issues that confront
communities are greatly addressed in the reorientation of basic education in ESD. The
following are some examples of skills that comply with ESD and some of these skills are
similar to the ?soft skills? being emphasized in the curriculum of higher education. The
ability to think about systems (both natural and social sciences).
(i) The ability to think in time-to forecast, to think ahead, and to plan
(ii)The ability to think critically about value issues.
(iii)The ability to separate number, quantity, quality and values.
3. The Skill of Team Work
The ability to work with people from different social cultural background to achieve a
common goal. Students are encouraged to play their role in the group and to respect opinions
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and attitudes of others in the group. They are also expected to contribute to the group?s plan
and coordinate the group?s effort besides being responsible to the group?s decision. This skill
is also part of ESD as stated in the reorientation of basic education: the ability to work
cooperatively with other people. If the future human capital can attain these skills, we can be
rest assure that the future generation will collaborate ideas and cooperate a taskforce towards
the well-being of the nation.
4. Life-Long Learning and Management of Information
This skill involves an effort to learn to be independent or self-regulated learning in acquiring
skills and new knowledge. The ability to find and manage relevant information from various
sources is also a criterion of this soft skill. Besides this, students are also expected to develop
an inquiry mind and crave for knowledge. As mentioned earlier, these characteristics are
equally important in ESD in order for an individual to be media literate and consumer
knowledgeable. Life-long learning will enable individuals to accumulate as much knowledge
and skills over the years. The ability to manage information well will allow an individual to
distinguish between good and bad, to adopt the best practices and to make sound decisions.
5. Entrepreneurship skill
The ability to seek business opportunity and develop risk awareness. It also involves being
creative and innovative in activities related to business and tasks. To design and plan business
propositions and the ability to be self employed. This skill can in some ways contribute to
the society if the training and practice is done for a good purpose.
6. Ethics, Moral and Professional
The ability to practice a high moral standard in professional tasks and social interaction. This
skill also includes the ability to analyze ethical problems and make problem solving
decisions. Having a sense of responsibility towards society is another criterion of this soft
skill.
7. Leadership skill
The ability to lead in various activities and tasks. This is an important criterion in ESD for
planning and implementing ideas in a group. This skill is also important to lead in discussion
and make decision.
6. COMMUNICATION SKILLS & PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
Almost everyday we describe and assess the personalities of the people around us.
Components of personalities and their studies through ages have been extensive. In a
nutshell, it includes consistency, psychological and physiological construct, impact
behaviours and actions, multiple expressions, etc. Personality is displayed by the way it is
expressed and that is where communication plays a major role. Expressions could be of
various types but broadly they are all ways and styles of communication. Communication is
another major area which contributes to personality development as well as organizational
success. Lack of effective communication is main issue in most organizations. Formal
education in communication is directed at reading and writing skills that are not often used at
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workplace. Most employees often lack any formal training in listening. Workers who can
express their ideas orally and who understand verbal instructions make fewer mistakes, adjust
more easily to change, and more readily absorb new ideas than those who do not. Thus,
career growth is enhanced by training in oral communication and listening as these skills
contribute to an employee's success in all related areas, namely, interviewing, making
presentations at or conducting meetings; negotiating and resolving conflicts; being assertive
while leading a team or selling a product; teaching, coaching or retraining; giving supervisors
feedback about customers' expectations, etc. Employees spend most of the day
communicating, and such periods of communication will increase as robots, computers, and
other machines start performing mundane and repetitive jobs. Communication skills typically
refer to ability to deliver an idea clearly, effectively, and with confidence either orally or
written; ability to practice active listening skills and respond appropriately; ability to present
clearly and confidently before others.
7. CONCLUSION
Considering the fact that during the last decades in society the perceived importance of soft
skills has increased significantly, it is of high importance for everyone to acquire adequate
skills beyond academic or technical knowledge. This is not particularly difficult. Once a
shortcoming in a certain area of soft skills has been identified at oneself, there are numerous
ways of rectifying such a deficiency. Educators have a special responsibility regarding soft
skills, because during students School and University time they have major impact on the
development of their students soft skills. Besides raising awareness regarding the importance
of soft skills and encouraging students to improve their skills, lecturers should actively
practice soft skills with their students. A very effective and efficient way of doing this is to
include soft skills training into the teaching of hard skills. As a positive side effect the lessons
will become more attractive, which in turn will increase the success rate of learners. Soft
skills fulfil an important role in shaping an individuals personality by complementing his/her
hard skills. However, over-emphasising it to such an extent should not taint the importance of
soft skills, that hard skills, i.e. expert knowledge in certain fields, are demoted to secondary
importance.
8. REFERENCES
Internet Resources:
I. British Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR): www.agr.org.uk
II Horton W., Horton K.: www.horton.com
III Iyer, Rukmini: http://us.rediff.com/getahead/2005/jun/30soft.htm
IV. Phani, Challa Ram: http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/08soft.htm
V. PISA: www.pisa.oecd.org
VI. Waggoner, Jaqueline: http://mountainrise.wcu.edu/html/waggoner.pdf
VII. Wikipedia: www.e.wikipedia.com
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