Though your technical skills should justify and match the position you are applying for, but what about your soft skills? They are equally important if not more in order to get that coveted job you have been eying for long.
As a matter of fact, technical skills can be taught by training; soft skills, on the other hand, are hard to come by. Soft skills reflect certain aspects of one’s personality, which is why, they are far harder to inject. Different set of skills are needed for different set of job profiles as well as industries. The requirement of soft skills also depends on the size of a company. For example, small businesses need people who can wear many hats simultaneously; therefore they look for candidates who have strong time management and organizational skills.
So what exactly are the skills you should armed with while sitting on an interview table?
Here are five of them:
1. Quick learning ability
In today’s professional landscape, industries, roles and responsibilities are constantly changing and you must be able to adapt. So the faster you can learn, the faster you can adapt. When you are able to learn quickly, you always tend to learn something new, which in turn helps you get a fresh perspective on old ideas and how to do them differently. It gives you an edge at soaking up information so you can make quick decisions at crucial times. Learning is not simply remembering, it’s integrating new ideas into your thought process. Being able to learn quickly is a delight to employers, so just prepare for taking up hybrid roles in emerging fields by learning in-demand skills.
2. Time management
One of the great skills for you to possess to land on your dream job is your ability to organize your workload. You don’t know what challenges you are going to face at the workplace, but if you can manage your time well, you are more likely to finish your tasks in stipulated timeframe. In order for you to manage your time more effectively, you need to prioritize tasks appropriately and wisely. There are certain projects when you need to save time to increase productivity and generate more output. Better time management at work means you continuously strive to improve your effectiveness and efficiency. Better management of time not just helps you grow your career, but brings a healthy work life balance.
3. Problem solving skills
Problem solving ability is highly potent soft skill that is worthwhile at a workplace. Employers want professionals who know how and when to solve issues on their own, and when to ask for help. At the interview itself, your recruiter would love to see whether you are able to think practically and creatively by throwing some hypothetical issues and asking you to solve them. The fact is problems are bound to arise at any workplace and at any time. So, your employer will make sure that you can handle them effectively and confidently. They want to ensure whether you are up to the challenge, rather than struggling under pressure.
4. Written and verbal communication
Communication is extremely important in a professional landscape because it is an essential factor for people to connect, collaborate and exchange information. Poor communication, on the other hand, can lead to misunderstandings and even down the progress of work. The way you communicate shows your confidence level and conviction. It is important that in all of your interactions, be sure to make eye contact, speak up and use body language that imparts confidence. If you are able to bring new ideas to the table and enunciating them well, your value in your organization will certainly be increased. Therefore, employers favor jobseekers that are comfortable speaking with people at all levels of an organization in a professional manner.
5. Self-motivation
Employers want candidates who are self-motivated because they are more likely to be on time consistently and inspire their colleagues. Self-motivation stems from your internal satisfaction – a desire to challenge yourself, to exceed your own expectations, to learn new things, to have fun. It’s a power that drives you to move ahead, while encouraging continuous learning and success. Self-motivated employees have the proverbial get-up-and-go attitude to complete tasks efficiently and to the best of their ability. So having this attitude will help you a lot in finding that perfect job.
Final thoughts
Soft skills at workplace are highly effective tools for making things easier for you. If you naturally possess any of these skills, just hone them further; otherwise you can practice them and learn at least that much so you can apply.
