Job markets keep evolving but there are some basics that never change. Surely, your technical qualifications (also known as your hard skills) are important. But your soft skills need to be at par with your educational background. Employers often express their desire to hire people with good soft skills. It’s been known that such candidates contribute more to a work environment than the average technically qualified folk.
Let’s clarify the difference between hard and soft skills and their relevance to a recruiter.
The skills that are directly required for a position are known as hard skills. They consist of your knowledge of the subject and other rational abilities that are relevant to the position applied for. E.g. accounting, typing, software skills etc. are all hard skills.
Soft skills, on the hand, comprise of your emotional intelligence – communication skills, strength of character, leadership qualities etc. It’s a myth that only service-based industries require you to hone your soft skills – they are a must-have in all businesses.
Following are some facets of soft skills discussed in detail:-
– Effective Communication
All jobs require human interaction. No work gets done with collaboration. In order to get your ideas across effectively, you must work on the way you communicate. A good college degree loses its charm if you are not able to articulate your thoughts.
Your body language is an important part of the way you communicate. Work on your posture, the intonation of your voice, and your language skills. Be it client meetings or pitch presentations – business works on negotiation. A balanced approach to managing your emotions and ideas while communicating with your colleagues, bosses, and clients is key.
However, the most important thing to inculcate if you want to communicate well is active listening. Know the difference between hearing and listening and practice it.
– Adapt & Evolve
The business world is dynamic by design. The rules and expectations keep changing – in such a scenario the more adaptable and flexible an employee, the more valuable they are to their organization. Change is challenging but that is precisely what makes it an occasion to shine. You’d never learn anything new if it wasn’t for these constant changes. For companies to stay ahead of the curve, they need employees who are light on their feet and adapt to new transitions with ease.
– Critical Thinking & The Power Of Decisions
An employee who can think independently and rationally is one of the biggest assets a company can have. It builds trust. When you hone your critical thinking and decision making skills, you’ll be able to evaluate situations better. This, in turn, will help you in making better decisions. Clear rational thought also makes it easier for you to communicate, persuade and negotiate on ideas that benefit your employer and execute them in collaboration with your team.
As far as skills are concerned – don’t say – DO!
During interviews, it helps to showcase your soft skills with the help of specific examples from your past experience. It makes you seem more believable and real to the recruiter.
There are many avenues available today that help you master your soft skills. You may take classes, sit for seminars, hire a coach, or even seek a mentor to guide you.
A little hard work now will not only boost your professional ability but also enhance the way you live your life!