Many people think that getting a degree is the most difficult part of their careers. Indeed, getting into college and majoring in a chosen profession is no easy task. But this is only the beginning. While grades and marks are important, many companies look for further skills. This is something young professionals need to consider in an ever-competitive world.
What are soft skills
Opposite to hard skills, soft skills are the ones relating to interpersonal relationships. When hiring new staff, companies look for more than talent. Being good at one’s profession is important but contributing to a healthy work environment can be much appreciated by employers.
Soft skills are not related to a person’s knowledge. It’s his or her character that makes the difference. Under this perspective, a professional is assessed by more than knowledge, abilities, degrees, and grades.
To achieve a smooth workflow, teams need skills like communication, understanding of products, the ability to layout and understand instructions, problem-solving, and tolerance. High performance under pressure is another plus.
It’s vital for company leaders and managers to have these types of skills. Since the whole project rests upon their shoulders, they are a key part of the business’s success. Managers need to listen to their employees, be willing to take advice, and learn from their mistakes. They must know exactly what to delegate and who to delegate it to.
Great leaders can be detected thanks to their negotiation skills. The key to a successful negotiation lies in a simple principle: they must consider what their counterpart wants while pushing their own objective.
In general, companies look for the right balance of hard and soft skills when hiring new people. For a comparison between these types of abilities, check out the video below.
Five essential soft skills to boost your career
When applying for a new position, soft skills are more crucial than you may think. They are important to boost a career for three main reasons:
- They allow you to build relationships.
- They help you build a reputation.
- They open the doors to new opportunities.
This section presents 5 key skills to accelerate your career growth.
Number 1 – Communication
The work environment has become more complicated. With the development of technology and communication software, many cross-border teams have been created. On one hand, companies have turned to overseas staff to perform some tasks. By outsourcing, they can reduce costs and access employees with specific skills.
On the other hand, the coronavirus pandemic has boosted the home office concept, and this doesn’t seem to be over anytime soon.
Good communication will help you understand and set instructions clearly. You can also build relationships and avoid misunderstandings. Companies value communication as it makes the workflow smoother. Hence, the team will achieve better results.
Number 2 – Being a team player
There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’. The only way to finalize a large project is through teamwork. This is why employers look for people who can work well with others.
While talent and experience are important, good teamwork improves the office’s environment. It helps create a workplace culture. A respectful environment and well-organized processes make professionals want to stay. It also attracts new talent.
If one of your co-workers needs help, offer them a hand. Help train new staff or offer to cover for a colleague. Your employers will value these initiatives. Another key aspect for smooth teamwork is being able to acknowledge one’s mistakes. If you make a mistake, accept the responsibility rather than putting it on someone else.
Number 3 – Adaptability
If you want to build a successful career, adaptability is crucial. Your ability to face new challenges, adapt to new conditions, and learn new skills will pay off. New technologies, tools, and software are constantly being released. Your employers will value your good predisposition to change and willingness to take new challenges.
Things are not always like we expect them to be. No matter how qualified you are for a position, issues will arise, and challenges will appear. It’s your approach to this that will make the difference.
For example, when a plan doesn’t work, good leaders find solutions instead of complaining. Find a way to solve the problem rather than make it worse. When recruiting, employers look for professionals that can adapt to the change rate of the company.
Number 4 – Problem-solving
In line with the previous point, professionals need to find solutions instead of complaining when something goes wrong. Problem-solving is key.
Employers need to find quick answers and make fast decisions. If you are a manager this skill is a must-have. If you are an employee, it will make you stand out. Companies face problems every day.
Hence, recruiters give great importance to someone’s ability to step up during a difficult situation.
A good way to summarize this is: always approach your boss with a solution instead of a problem.
Number 5 – Critical thinking
Critical thinking brings value to a company. Your ability to bring new ideas to the table will be much appreciated by your superiors. A proactive attitude, good analytics skills, and pros-and-cons balance are some of the attributes of a productive employer.
Discuss your ideas and generate a proper field for brainstorming. This approach will increase creativity that can only be a plus for the business.
A conclusion on the 5 key soft skills to boost your career
The perfect model is an employer that can balance these 5 skills. In combination with the right hard skills, this will make you unstoppable.
The 5 attributes presented here must complement each other. By developing your solve-problem skills, you’ll be more flexible in new situations. Thus, you’ll become a worthy team player that brings value to the company.