Although many firms choose applicants armed with job-specific skills, most of them prefer hopefuls equipped with “people skills,” also called soft skills. Unlike hard skills (i.e. the teachable skill sets that allow people to do certain tasks), you can apply soft skills to almost all job titles and fields. But which soft skills employers want job seekers to possess these days? Read more.
Soft Skills Employers Want from Job Hopefuls
1. Adaptability
Hiring managers favor people who can predict and respond to changes and cope with the transition. Since trades and trends are fast changing, employers seek out graduates who can embrace new ideas and situations as well.
2. Initiative
Managers love workers who are resourceful and resilient. They believe these workers can work independently and take action when needed.
3. Analytical Skill
This soft skill helps people assess data effectively. Firms prefer people with good analytical skills because they are detail-oriented, determined, and focused.
4. Time Management
Managing your time means planning and arranging your workload. When gauging your skills, hiring managers assess how you set realistic goals to meet your deadlines. They look into how you plan and work under pressure. In this case, you must be ahead of the game and explain how you balance your work, study, and leisure time well.
5. Decision Making
Decision makers study the problem, weigh the pros and cons, and think of logical conclusions. Firms favor such workers because they think critically, take advice from other people, and come up with solutions that benefit the company and its people in general.
6. Leadership
Being a leader means taking control of the situation and having a clear sense of direction and values. Leadership traits are crucial in the workplace because they affect how you manage people, take initiative, and make plans.
7. Organization
Firms love organized people because they are orderly and efficient. They can plan their time and workload well and meet their deadlines with minimal guidance.
8. Communication Skills
Bosses like good communicators because they’re the key to developing positive working relationships with colleagues and clients. Also, this skill shows one can send a clear message through various means and channels, bringing only the best results for the firm.
Other Desirable Traits to Possess
Aside from the soft skills mentioned above, the following traits are likewise key in the workplace:
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Negotiating and Persuading
These mean having a strong convincing power, high self-esteem, and good emotional intelligence.
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Numeracy
This signifies being at home with numbers and doing the smartest way to solve math problems.
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Stress Tolerance
This means keeping your poise even when you’re facing problems.
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Honesty and Integrity
These point to being faithful to your boss, punctual, and obedient to the company rules. They also mean producing the results your boss expects.
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Confidence
This means valuing or trusting your potentials, adapting to changes, and being able to do any work at any situations.
If you want to get your boss’s attention, show him or her you have the soft skills he/she seeks.
What other soft skills employers want from job seekers today? Share your thoughts on the comments section below. For more career tips and interesting blogs, visit Resume Valley’s career resources. Let our resume experts help you get to your dream job with our curriculum vitae writing services!
Sources:
www.careers.manchester.ac.uk
www.kent.ac.uk
www.skillsyouneed.com
www.google.com
