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Soft skills is a synonym for "people skills." The term describes those personal
attributes that indicate a high level of emotional intelligence.
Unlike hard skills, which describe a person's technical skill set and ability to
perform specific tasks, soft skills are broadly applicable across job titles and
industries. It's often said that hard skills will get you an interview but you need
soft skills to get -- and keep -- the job.
Soft skills can be defined as character traits or interpersonal aptitudes that affect your ability to work
and interact with others.
They are natural abilities that usually can’t be taught in a classroom or managed quantitatively.They are
often, but not always, “people” skills.
Soft skills relate more to emotional intelligence and are natural abilities that help us interact well with
others. They are useful across all industries and job types. Hard skills, on the other hand, are usually job-
specific skills that are learned through education or training.
More technical or computer-centric hard skills are sometimes also referred to as technical skills.
In today’s job market, the deciding factor for employers often comes down to a battle
between the hard vs. soft skills of different candidates. A survey presented by SMB
World found that nearly 72% of CEOs believe that soft skills are more important to the
success of their business than hard skills.
That being said, your soft skills and hard skills should complement each other to
make you the total package an employer wants. For example, a graphic designer needs
both soft creativity skills and hard adobe Photoshop skills to perform their job well.
Soft skills are mainly heaving some important points;
1 – Communication
Communication skills can be oral or written and allow you to express yourself effectively in the
workplace. These skills are helpful in almost any position but are critical for careers in sales,
human resources, and management. Some examples include:
Clarity
Confidence
Respect
Empathy
Listening
Verbal communication
Non-verbal communication
Written communication
Constructive feedback
Friendliness
2 – Teamwork
Teamwork skills allow you to operate well in a group setting in the workplace to quickly
and effectively accomplish tasks. Teamwork is crucial for careers in market research,
event coordination, and software engineering. Some examples of teamwork-related skills
include:
Conflict management
Delegation
Listening
Active listening
Collaboration
Cooperation
Coordination
Idea exchange
Mediation
Negotiating
3 – Adaptability
Adaptability and flexibility are related skills and are about embracing and rolling with
change. They are particularly important when working in fast-pace or constantly
changing work environments such as public relations, event management, nursing, and
advertising.
4 – Problem-Solving
Problem-solving abilities are a blend of using analytical and creative thinking to find
solutions. Careers where problem-solving is vital include law enforcement, information
technology, and medical-related fields. Types of problem-solving skills include:
Analysis
Lateral thinking
Logical reasoning
Initiative
Persistence
Observation
Persuasion
Negotiation
Brainstorming
Decision making
5 – Creativity
Creativity is a broad type of soft skill that can help you develop innovative solutions to
problems at work. Instructional designers, architects, and artists are examples of jobs
where creativity is crucial to success.
6 – Work Ethic
Work ethic is a soft skill that proves your belief in the importance of work and its ability
to strengthen your character. Demonstrating work ethic should be important in every
career, but is vital for first responders, teachers, and nurses.
7 – Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are those that you use near-constantly as you interact and
communicate with co-workers and management. They are vital for people who work in
customer service, realty, or financial planning.
8 – Time Management
Time management skills demonstrate your ability to work efficiently and productively by
using your time wisely. Most every employer appreciates this soft skill, but it’s crucial if
you’re an IT project manager, or work in loss prevention or legal fields.
9 – Leadership
Leadership is a soft skill that enables you to guide others while you fulfill the goals and
mission of your organization. Leadership is critical for entrepreneurs, all types of
management, and careers in teaching.
10 – Attention to Detail
Attention to detail allows you to be both thorough and accurate in your work. Careers
suited to detail-oriented people include accounting, pharmacology, and engineering.
According to Forbes, 94% of recruiters believe that top-notch soft skills outweigh
experience when it comes to promotion to leadership positions. They are fundamental to
getting the job you want now and essential for career growth. As automation expands,
soft skills will become an even more significant differentiator to employers.
Susan Vitale of iCIMS said, “hard skills might get your resume looked at” but soft skills
“help you stand out and get you hired.” You must still possess the requisite technical
skills to get the job you want, but without soft skills, you can’t compete.
Business leaders value technologists who have soft skills or people skills because they
have empathy and the ability to adjust their communication to the audience at hand.
Although many individuals inherently possess these abilities, others must work to
develop them.
Asking family and trusted colleagues for feedback can also help employees identify
which soft skills require improvement as can simply observing and emulating how
others successfully interact with others and handle difficult interpersonal situations. A
professional coach, self-help books and articles on leadership can assist in this
process, as can self-assessment tools like the Myers-Briggs personality profile test.