Landing a job requires more than hard skills. While your technical prowess is undoubtedly critical, without the right soft skills, you may not thrive in a work environment. And, since soft skills are so vital, hiring managers often seek certain ones out.
Luckily, soft skills are highly transferrable. Where you acquire and hone them matters less than having them. If you are wondering which soft skills you should bring to the table, and why they are so crucial to your career, here’s what you need to know.
Why Having the Right Soft Skills Matters
Often, your soft skills are a reflection of various personality traits. They outline how you navigate the professional world, making them critically important to your long-term success.
That’s why hiring managers prioritize soft skills when screening applicants. They understand that candidates who possess these characteristics are typically better equipped to flourish, so they favor these job seekers.
Additionally, hiring managers recognize that choosing a new hire with the right soft skills is a better approach. In most cases, training soft skills is especially challenging, as they can be a bit subjective and are more commonly learned through experience instead of direct instruction.
At times, hiring managers may explicitly list soft skills as must-haves in job ads. However, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, candidates need to read between the lines or do additional research to find out which ones are most valued. For example, reviewing the company’s mission and values statements can give you clues if there aren’t any soft skills including in the vacancy announcement.
Worst case, specific soft skills are universally desirable. By focusing on those, your odds of impressing the hiring manager go up substantially.
Critical Soft Skills You Can Bring to Any Job
Particular soft skills are almost always priorities in the eyes of hiring managers. They ensure you can collaborate with others, exceed expectations, and otherwise perform your duties with a reasonable amount of ease.
By having them, you check off many must-have boxes. If you want to make sure you’re on target, the following soft skills are usually considered crucial:
- Honesty
- Accountability
- Teamwork
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivation
- Emotional intelligence
- Communication
- Willingness to learn
When a candidate possesses all of the traits above, their odds of excelling in the workplace rise dramatically. Generally, they will be active collaborators, hold themselves to high standards, and strive to improve their capabilities at every opportunity. As a result, they learn and grow on the job, becoming a top performer over time.
When you apply for a position, make sure to showcase your capabilities in those areas. Highlight accomplishments where those traits ensured your success, and discuss their importance during your interview. Even if they aren’t explicit requirements, the hiring manager is likely looking for them, so it’s worth drawing attention to these capabilities.
If you would like to learn more about how soft skills can help you thrive, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today and see how our job search expertise can benefit you.
