As employers narrow down the field of eligible candidates for a job, their goal is to find the perfect balance of hard and soft skills.
Hard skills encompass the required educational, professional and technical abilities for a role – and yes, they are essential. But what really helps you stand out as a competitor for a desired position are the soft skills you bring to the table. They include qualities such as your ability to collaborate, problem solve, communicate, and effectively manage your time. When paired with solid hard-skill credentials, you present the perfect candidate package.
Here’s a closer look at some highly desirable soft skills:
Creativity, Innovation and Problem Solving
Competition is intense, so organizations are aware they must continually innovate to survive. Unless that spark is there in a job candidate, the chances of them being hired are slim.
Employers also want to know their employees can think logically and creatively to develop solutions to problems that arise in the course of their work. They are seeking team members who can come up with new ideas while addressing existing challenges. And the more creative, the better.
Adaptability
Hand in hand with innovation, along with the rapid pace of technological advancements in the workplace, is adaptability. Employers are looking for people who embrace, rather than shy away from, change, and who are willing and able to pivot quickly and seamlessly when customer or other business demands require.
Communication
In any role, in any industry, you need to be able to communicate with others clearly and effectively, whether such interaction is electronic, digital or in person. Listening is a key part of this skill. Taking a class in communication or active listening is a great career investment. If you already feel it’s one of your most marketable attributes, be sure to demonstrate it on your resume and during interviews.
Time Management
Effective time management means organizing your schedule to complete tasks and projects on time and with efficiency. It involves setting daily, weekly and longer-term goals and working your calendar around meeting them. As you prepare for a job interview, try to learn what project management tools or processes the company uses and become familiar with them.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, evaluate and respond to your emotions and the emotions of others. It means you’re able to think empathetically about those you work with and the relationships you develop. In one recent study, it was found that 71 percent of employers value emotional intelligence in an employee over IQ, and 75 percent are more likely to promote a person with a higher emotional quotient.
For assistance in mastering all the right soft skills for a job, as well as including them on your resume and demonstrating them during interviews, consider partnering with an experience career coach at PrideStaff Northern Kentucky. With our help throughout your search process, you’ll see that the perfect job for you is closer than you think.
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