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Employability Skills & Top 7 Soft Skills

The Soft Skills Most Employers Seek

When applying for a job, many people tend to emphasize their hard skills – the specific knowledge and abilities required for a particular job. These are typically skills that can be clearly defined and measured.

However, when you're seeking employment, your soft skills can be as important as the hard skills required to achieve success on the job. Soft skills are much more difficult to define and measure – they are the interpersonal or “people” skills that help you to successfully interact with others in the workplace.

Companies seek candidates with both types of skills when hiring for most positions. That's because if you can't get along with others, don't have a positive attitude, can't work well as part of a team, and aren't able to think creatively and critically, it may not matter how talented you are.

Indeed.com, the leading job site, has shared the most valuable soft skills for job seekers and employees.

Top 7 Soft Skills

Here are the top seven most important soft skills to have for both interviewing and in the workplace, from Indeed's Director of Recruiting, Mike Steinerd:

  1. Acting as a team player – this means not only being cooperative, but also displaying strong leadership skills when necessary.
  2. Flexibility – this is an extremely valuable asset to employees. Those who can adapt to any situation are dependable no matter what's thrown at them.
  3. Effective communication – this is paramount to almost any job. Communication involves articulating oneself well, being a good listener and using appropriate body language.
  4. Problem-solving and resourcefulness – no matter what your profession, these skills are critical when unexpected issues inevitably arise.
  5. Accepting feedback – not only accepting feedback gracefully, but also applying that feedback, fosters professional growth.
  6. Confidence is key – that being said, it's also important to always have the knowledge and skills to support self-assurance. By being confident and capable, your supervisors, employees, and clients will believe in what you are saying.
  7. Creative thinking – being able to come up with unique solutions or alternatives is invaluable; it drives innovation and increases efficiency.
     

How to Let Employers Know the Skills You Have

  • When you're writing resumes and cover letters, it's essential to reference the skills the employer is seeking in your job application materials.
  • The same is true when you're interviewing. Review the job posting, and be prepared to give specific examples of the skills you have (both hard and soft) that are a match for the job requirements.
  • Be sure to present your soft skills to the hiring manager during interviews. Present your positive attitude and enthusiasm throughout the interview. Don't just say that you have the skills the company needs – prove it to them. Actions can genuinely speak louder than words - especially in a competitive workplace.

Source: Top Soft Skills Employers Value With Examples

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