Every job requires specific skills, some of which may be unique to the position, while others can be transferred from one role to another.
These skills which are transferable are called – Employability Skills or Soft Skills.
This article discussed the importance of employability skills, also known as soft skills, for success in any position.
The article also provides examples of the top 10 soft skills that employers look for and seven critical employability skills required for success in the workforce.
Developing Soft Skills: The Key to Success in the Workplace
If you’re not familiar with soft skills, it’s time to learn.
Soft skills are just as important as hard skills for your success and for the success of a company, especially in roles that involve face-to-face interaction.
Increasingly, companies recognize the importance of soft skills and actively seek employees with these qualities.
Definition of Soft Skills
Soft skills refer to a person’s Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ), which includes communication, personality traits, personal habits, language, optimism, and friendliness.
These qualities describe a person’s ability to build relationships with others.
Soft Skills are Core Traits
While job-specific skills vary, there are key traits that are necessary for success in any position.
These include – honesty, integrity, flexibility, tenacity, strong work ethics, responsibility, teamwork, loyalty, motivation, and a positive attitude.
Examples of Soft Skills
There are many soft skills, but here are the top 10 that you should aim to have:
- Strong work ethic: You are motivated to complete a job and will go the extra mile to ensure success. You are conscientious and always strive to do your best.
- Positive attitude: You are optimistic, upbeat, and have a positive outlook.
- Flexibility: You can adapt to challenges and new situations quickly.
- Time management: You prioritize tasks, use your time wisely, and can work on several projects simultaneously.
- Self-confidence: You are calm, confident, and know you can do your job, but you are not afraid to ask questions.
- Ability to accept constructive criticism: You can handle criticism and learn from it. You are coachable and grow professionally.
- Works well under pressure: You can handle a crisis and deal with the stress of deadlines.
- Good communication: You are a good listener and can articulate your ideas clearly. You can communicate in a manner that builds relationships with customers, vendors, and colleagues.
- Leadership skills: You can work well alone or in a group and can take on the role of team leader when asked.
- Problem-solving and analytical skills: You are resourceful, can analyze and solve problems as they occur.
Soft Skills Examples
Here is an example of how soft skills can make a difference in a sales situation.
Two sales representatives approach a customer.
Salesman #1 presents all the technical details about the latest crossover model, but the customer is bored and uninterested.
Salesman #2 approaches with a positive attitude, starts with small talk, and asks questions about the customer’s needs. Salesman #2 listens, builds rapport, and suggests solutions to the customer’s concerns. Salesman #2 closes the sale because of his soft skills.
Do You Have Soft Skills? How are your soft skills?
If you feel your soft skills are weak, it’s a great time to start building on them.
Remember, they are just as important as any other skill set for success in the workplace.
Employability Skills Checklist:
Assessing Your Abilities for Career Growth
In addition to these core traits, there are several important employability skills that are in high demand in today’s job market.
Employers seek candidates who possess the necessary employability skills to excel in their specific roles.
Let’s take a closer look at these seven critical skills:
- Communication Skills
Effective communication, including verbal, listening, and written skills, is crucial for running a successful business. It’s the most commonly mentioned skill by employers. - Analytical and Research Skills
The ability to assess situations, gather necessary information, identify key issues, and address those issues requires a combination of analytical and research skills. - Computer and Technical Skills
Most jobs require a basic understanding of computer software such as email, word processing, and spreadsheets.
Some positions require more advanced technical skills. - Leadership and Management Skills
Strong leadership and management skills are essential to a company’s success.
These skills can be developed through experience and training, and they offer opportunities for promotion and advancement. - Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are often overlooked but are important for creating positive work relationships, resolving conflict, and maintaining a smooth work environment. - Planning and Organizational Skills
The ability to design, plan, organize, and implement projects is critical for the success of a business.
These skills are essential for many employees, not just those in leadership roles. - Problem Solving Skills
The ability to draw on past experiences, logic, reasoning, and creativity to solve problems is important in many roles.
Employability skills are critical for success in the workforce.
Some skills are required prior to getting a job, while others can be developed along the way through experience and training.
Assessing Your Employability Skills
If you’re unsure whether you have the necessary skills for a particular job, creating an employability skills checklist before your interview can help you identify areas where you need to improve and fine-tune your skills to match the requirements of the position.
For you, as a candidate, it’s important to highlight these employability skills in a way that demonstrates their relevance to the job you’re applying for.
Here are ten key employability skills that are relevant to most jobs:
- Communication – the ability to articulate ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Decision Making – the ability to make sound judgments even in challenging situations.
- Goal Setting – the ability to set achievable goals and work towards achieving them.
- Self-confidence – a positive attitude and a strong sense of self-belief.
- Analytical Thinking – the ability to break down complex problems into manageable parts and analyze them for positive outcomes.
- Energy – enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard.
- Quick Learning – the ability to learn quickly from instructions and observation.
- Trustworthiness – the ability to be relied upon to complete tasks and maintain confidentiality.
- Adaptability – the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and new challenges.
- Resourcefulness – the ability to anticipate and avoid problems by being proactive.
Identifying Relevant Skills
In addition to these key soft skills, every job has specific requirements that are unique to the role.
It’s important to identify the most important job-specific skills and prepare to demonstrate your proficiency in these areas during the interview.
By doing so, you can set yourself apart from other candidates and increase your chances of success.
Relevant Training
If you’re new to a particular field, you may not have the necessary job skills, but you may have relevant training.
In such cases, it’s important to convince the interviewer that you have the energy and enthusiasm to put your training into practice and learn the job-specific skills required as you go along.
Remember to highlight any relevant coursework or certifications to demonstrate your commitment to developing the necessary skills.