SOFT SKILLS
Soft Skills- We have heard a lot about the term soft skills. Let's begin by defining it properly: "The desirable qualities that do not depend on acquired knowledge, they include our common sense, the ability to deal with the people, and a positive flexible attitude.
These are personality traits and behaviors. Unlike technical or ‘hard’ skills, soft skills are not about the knowledge you possess but the behaviors you display in different situations.
These are the skills that define your relationship with other people, or how you approach life and work. Hard skills’, by contrast, is a phrase usually used to describe job-specific skills. Examples of hard skills include professional skills that can be taught and whose presence is testable through various formats of the exam. Anyone can acquire them with training.
Here we are concerned with soft skills and its role in our life.
Why are soft skills important?
Soft Skills play an important role in interview, resume writing, and finding success with people at the workplace and in other areas of life. Let's take an example, as you look for jobs, you may find that many employers list specific soft skills on their job post in the 'required' or 'desired section'. A job posting for a Marketing Specialist could list 'leadership' and great Communication skills, whereas a Human Resource associate may list 'attention to details as the desired trait.
These are often transferable across careers and industries. As a result, you may find that you possess many of the required traits even if you don’t match the exact profile in a job description. As you search for jobs, pay special attention to posts calling for candidates with soft skills or traits you possess. Even if the job title isn’t a great fit, you may find that the description makes sense for you. As you progress through the job search process, keep your resume updated to reflect soft skills most relevant to the jobs you’re applying for.
You may also find it helpful to consider how you might showcase your soft skills in an interview. While you can display some skills like good communication, you may consider weaving others into your answers to interview questions. For example, you might talk about your problem-solving skills when answering a question like, “Tell me about a time you overcame an obstacle.” If the employer prompts you to provide references, think of those that can speak to examples that verify your soft skills and other strengths.
The Most Important Soft Skills-
1. Communication Skills
It Includes listening, Speaking, Observing, and Empathising. In any job advertisement, communication skills are always high on the "Essential Skills".
People with strong communication skills can build relationships.
They can listen well and vary their communication to suit the
circumstances. They avoid misunderstandings, and in general make any workplace
work better.
For example, when working with a team on a project, you may need to communicate when you believe that an idea or process is ineffective. Finding a way to tactfully and skillfully disagree with others on the job without creating conflict is an important skill that employers value.
2. Making Decisions
We all have to make decisions every day, from what we have for breakfast, to a more important decision like whether to apply for a new job or when to do the
particular work. Sometimes the actual decision doesn't even matter, what matters
is that you have made one and move on.
Being able to make a decision is valued by employers for many reasons, and it can also help with problem-solving, as it enables us to choose between possible situations.
3. Leadership Skills
It includes the ability to manage, motivate others, and take lead whenever necessary. It includes Self-Awareness, Communication, Influence, and Learning Agility. These are the set of soft skills that we least expect someone to develop by themselves. There is likely to come to a point, however, when you may need to set up a leadership position for the first time.
4. Creativity
There are many people who believe that creative thinkers are born, not
made. There are certainly some people who find these skills much easier. But,
like other skills, you can develop them if you work to do so. Employees with
creativity can find new ways to perform a task, improve processes, or even develop
new and exciting avenues for the business to explore.
Related creativity skills include Curiosity, Learning from others, Open-mindedness, Taking Calculated risks.
5- Problem-Solving
Like Leadership skills, Problem-solving skills are highly valued as they
are hard to develop.
Employers highly value people who can resolve issues quickly and effectively.
That may involve calling on industry knowledge to fix an issue immediately, as
it occurs, or taking time to research and consult with colleagues to find a
scalable, long-term solution.
The related problem-solving skills include- Creativity, Research, Teamwork, Risk Management.
6. Work Ethic
It Includes the ability to follow through on tasks and duties in a timely,
quality manner.
A strong work ethic will help ensure you develop a positive relationship
with your employer and colleagues even when you are still developing technical
skills in a new job. Many employers would rather work with someone who has a
strong work ethic and is eager to learn than a skilled worker who seems
unmotivated.
The related work ethic skills include- Integrity, Attention to details,
Persistence and Time management.
Why Soft Skills so Important?
Many employers value strong soft skills over technical skills because they are often personality traits developed over a lifetime and can be difficult to teach. That being said, anyone can improve their soft skills with experience and practice. For example, you may find that an employer is seeking someone skilled in conflict resolution. While you may be naturally skilled at effective communication, it may help to practice working through conflicts with others.
There are several ways to improve your soft skills.
# Pick a soft skill you want to improve and practice it consistently.
You can improve any soft skill if you make it a practice. Most soft skills are a matter of routine. For example, you can practice dependability, both on the job and at home, by improving punctuality (showing up to work or events on time or early) and starting on projects at work earlier so you can complete them ahead of schedule.
#Observe and mimic the positive soft skills you see in others.
There are likely professionals you know or work with who have strengths in various soft skills. You may be able to develop integral soft skills by observing the practices of others and incorporating them into your own daily routine. You may find, for example, that effective communicators often write down notes when others are talking during meetings. This helps them organize their thoughts so they are prepared to ask and answer important questions. This is also an active listening practice that may be good to utilize as part of your own work.
#Set milestone goals to improve soft skills.
Set specific, measurable goals by carefully reading your performance reviews at work or asking trusted friends and colleagues for constructive criticism. This can help you to identify key areas of improvement for goal setting and areas of strength to highlight on your resume and in interviews. You can prioritize which soft skills to work on based on those that you need to get a certain job or move up in a career you already have.
# Find resources to help you learn.
You can find several resources to help you learn tactics for improving the
soft skills you want to focus on like books, podcasts or online classes. While
some require payment, many are free of cost and can be accessed at any time.
You might try out few different types of resources to see which are best for
your learning style.