The tight labor market has pushed companies to reassess the skills they consider critical. Job seekers, too, have found it difficult to determine which essential skills they should develop to boost their careers. 

You might be a computer whiz or a master of mathematical theories or a scientific genius. But to be successful, you need more than an expertise in your specialty. The secret ingredient? Stronger soft skills. 

In today’s workforce, soft skills have never been more essential. Don’t let the term fool you! Just because soft skills are non-technical, it doesn’t mean that you can’t work on them and measure progress. Soft skills allow an individual to interact effectively and productively with other people – no matter the role or environment. 

If you don’t know how soft skills can make or break the workforce, you are not alone. It is often vague, but it is not as mysterious as it seems to be. 

What are soft skills? 

Recruiters have a front-row seat to the ever-changing mix of skills most prized in the world of labor. In today’s corporate environment, many employees overlook soft skills since they deem technical skills as more significant. However, success at work doesn’t rest solely with specialized skills. Getting along with your colleagues professionally and respectfully — even with conflict — plays a huge role in your success and the overall success of the business. That’s what “soft-skills” are all about.

Soft skills, commonly referred to as interpersonal skills or social skills, focus more on the social rather than the technical. These can give you a competitive edge over others, not only in the workplace but also in life.

While a long list of technical skills on your resume may score you an interview, having well-developed soft skills are vital to getting in the door or keeping the job you have.  

5 Soft Skills Every Job Seeker Needs

While your background and experience are crucial for promotion, soft skills can set you apart for your competitors. To thrive in your workplace in 2020, here are five in-demand soft skills to master:

 

• Creativity

When businesses are looking for creative employees, they don’t necessarily mean artists and painters. More often than not, they need workers who can find inventive solutions to problems. If you can connect the dots with disparate information, and put two and two together to come up with a new idea, then you are well on your way. 

 

• Complex Problem Solving

Unexpected issues will arise in any job. Thus, having the ability to solve problems in a landscape that is dynamic and getting more complicated by the minute will set you apart from the rest. If you know how to take action on your feet, you will be an indispensable asset to your employer. 

   

• Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is becoming a highly sought soft skill. It is the ability to deal with business decisions, constructive criticism, high-pressure situations, and conflict resolution effectively. To increase your emotional intelligence, practice recognizing your own emotions to better pick up on the emotional cues of other people. 

 

• Adaptability

Being an adaptable employee means showing extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity and working outside of normal boundaries. It is a soft skill that you can apply in both personal and professional life. Most companies today want employees who are open to new technologies and can quickly adjust to different environments.

 

• Collaboration and Teamwork

For every career path, how well you work with others is critical. Collaborating with your colleagues requires a combination of interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills. For instance, projects involving marketing and design often require working together in groups and across departments. You might be used to working alone, but it is essential to understand and appreciate the value of working with others and learn how to deal with disparate and even difficult personalities. 

If you lack any of these skills, it is never too late to develop them. You can learn by observing other people in your workplace who excel in these soft skills, or you can take more responsibilities at work to gain valuable experience. If you want to increase your chances of career success, it’s time to put your skills to work for you! With JC Porter, you will get practical career advice and useful tips to get you discovered in more ways than one. Call (303) 953-1139 now!