5 key soft skills employers are looking for (2023)

Although often overlooked, the importance of soft skills in today's competitive job market cannot be overstated. But you might be wondering,"What exactly are soft skills and why should I care about them?"

Soft valuesthey are intangible qualities that go beyond your technical expertise and make you an excellent employee. These are skills that help you work well with others, adapt to change, communicate your ideas effectively, and much more.

In a world where technology is developing at an ever-faster pace and the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, employers are looking for candidates who excel in both hard and soft skills. In fact, soft skills can be the key to differentiating you from other job candidates and increasing your overall employability.

In this article we will take a closer look5 key soft skills that employers are looking for in today's job market and we advise you on how to develop them:

1. Announcement
2. Troubleshooting
3. Adaptability
4. Cooperation
5. Emotional intelligence

Plus, we'll tell you how to effectively showcase these soft skills on your resume and build on them during the job search process.

What are soft skills and why are they important?

In the field of work, we recognize two different basic types of skills -hard skills and soft skills.

• Hard skillsrefer to technical or job-specific skills required to perform a particular task or job. These skills are usually acquired through education, training or experience. They can be measured and quantified.

  Examples of hard skills are:Programming languages ​​(e.g. Java, Python), accounting, project management, data analysis, languages ​​(e.g. Spanish, German),itd.

• Soft valuesit refers to interpersonal, social and communication skills that are more difficult to quantify and measure. Soft skills are often described as personality traits or emotional intelligence that are critical to success in the workplace.

  Examples of soft skills are:teamwork, communication, leadership, adaptability, problem solving, creativity, empathy,itd.

While hard skills are important for performing the technical aspects of a job, soft skills are essential for building relationships, collaborating with colleagues, and achieving long-term success in any organization.

Indeed, this is why many employers often prioritize soft skills over hard skills when considering job candidates, as they are more difficult to teach and develop.

5 key soft skills that are most in demand

Now that we know what soft skills are and why they are important, let's take a look at the most important soft skills one can have in the workplace.

1. Communication

In our increasingly connected world, the ability to communicate effectively is more important than ever.

Good communication is the glue that:

• Keeps team together
• Resolves conflicts
• It moves projects forward
• Ensures that everyone on the team is on the same page and understands their roles and responsibilities
• It allows everyone to feel heard and valued

When communication in the workplace breaks down, productivity and morale drop.That's why employers look for candidates who can clearly articulate their thoughts and listen carefully to others - whether online or offline.

Husk,effective communicationis therefore the key to success in any rolemake it a priority in your professional development.

How can you become a better communicator?

• Be an active listener.Listen carefullyto what other colleagues say, ask questions to clarify and paraphrase their words to make sure you understand their message. This shows respect and encourages open dialogue.

• Be concise and clear. Keep your message simple and clear. Avoid jargon and usagein plain languageto make your message easy to understand.

• Remembernonverbal cues. Pay attention to your body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. They can often convey more than words alone.

• Be open to feedback.Ask for feedback on your communication style and be willing to make adjustments as needed. This shows your commitment to growth and improvement.

• Practice empathy. Put yourself in the other person's shoes and try to understand their feelings, perspectives and needs. This will help you establish relationships and build trust with your colleagues.

How can you demonstrate communication skills on your resume?

If communication is key to your role, here's how you can demonstrate it on your CV:

1. Include specific examples. Instead of just saying "excellent communication skills," give specific examples of how you used these skills to achieve results in your professional life. For example, you might mention how you presented a project proposal to a large audience or collaborated with a diverse team to develop a new product.

2. Highlight relevant experience. If you've worked in jobs that required strong communication skills, such as customer service, public relations, or teaching, be sure to highlight those experiences on your resume.

3. Show your writing skills. If you have a flair for written communication, consider including a well-written oneprivate letteror provide a link to a professional blog or portfolio along with your submission.

4. Use strong action verbs. When describing your past achievements, use action verbs such as"agreed", "presented,"or"forwarded"to emphasize your communication skills.

2. Problem solving skills

Regardless of industry, employers value graduates highlyproblem solving skills. This is because problems are inevitable in any work environment.

Whether it is a technical error, a sudden change in customer requirements or an internal conflict,the ability to think critically, analyze situations and quickly find effective solutionsit is essential in any industry.

Candidates who can demonstrate their ability to solve problems are considered valuable assets capable of overcoming challenges and driving the success of the entire company.

And while talent for problem solving can be a trait you're born with (e.g., balance and quick thinking come in handy when solving a problem), this skill can also be practiced or improved. Here's how you do it:

• Practice critical thinking.Train your brain to analyze situations and consider multiple perspectives by regularly participating in activities such as puzzles, debates or researching new topics.

• Learn from failure.When you encounter setbacks, take time to reflect on what went wrong and identify what you can do differently next time.

• Collaborate with others.Seek input from colleagues with different backgrounds and experience. They can offer new insights and ideas that you may not have considered.

• Be curious. Be open to new experiences (in and outside of your work life) and learning opportunities that can expand your skills and knowledge base.

It can also be helpful to familiarize yourself with common workplace problem-solving techniques, such as:

1. Root cause analysis. This method involves identifying the cause of the problem and fixing it to prevent the problem from occurring again.

   (Video) 5 key soft skills that recruiters are looking for in 2022

2. Brainstorming.As a collaborative approach, brainstorming encourages the generation of multiple ideas and solutions from a diverse group of people.

3. SWOT-analyse.This technique involves identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with a particular problem or situation, which helps in making decisions.

Emphasizes experience in solving problems in the resume

Consider the following tips to showcase your problem-solving skills on your resume:

1. Examples speak louder than adjectives. Describe situations where you successfully tackled problems or challenges and highlight the strategies you used and the results you achieved. Don't list, but demonstrate.

2. Emphasize relevant experience. If you've held roles that required strong problem-solving skills, such as project management or consulting, be sure to highlight those experiences on your resume. Using a bold font will help you achieve this.

3. Include measurable results. Whenever possible, use numbers to back up your claims about solving a problem. For example, you can mention how you identified yourself"saving measures that led to a 20% cost reduction".

4. Use the correct action verbs.Start your listing with strong action verbs like"solved", "implemented",or"Troubleshooting."

3. Flexibility

To thrive in such a dynamic environment,specialists must be able to adapt and adapt to rapid changes in the workplace and the labor markettheir abilities and mindset.

That's why employers are looking for flexible candidates who can overcome uncertainty, learn new skills quickly and embrace change as an opportunity for growth.

But not only does adaptability make you more attractive to employers, it also contributes to your long-term career success

• It forces you to take on new challenges.Adaptable individuals are more likely to take on new projects, learn new skills, and seek opportunities for growth, which can lead to advancement, greater job satisfaction, and a more fulfilling career.

• It secures your career in the future.As the job market evolves, you can change more easily, making you less vulnerable to layoffs or job obsolescence.

So how can you improve your adaptability?

1. Cultivating onegrowth mindset.Believe in your ability to learn, grow and adapt. Embrace challenges, persevere through obstacles and see failure as a learning opportunity. You can try to achieve this by reading self-help books, trying therapy or meditating.

2. Be informed. Read news and stay up to date with industry trends, new technologies and best practices. This knowledge helps you anticipate changes and adapt proactively. For example, if AI is changing your industry, familiarize yourself with ChatGPT and learn how to use it to your advantage.

3. Be open to feedback.Welcome constructive feedback and see it not as criticism, but as a tool for improvement. It shows your willingness to learn and adapt to new ways of working.

4. Develop a diverse skill set.Invest in your professional development by acquiring a combination of technical and soft skills. This will make you more versatile and better equipped to deal with change. Participating in online courses can help you quickly acquire new knowledge.

How to show adaptability on your resume and in interviews

Consider the following strategies to demonstrate adaptability on your resume and during interviews:

1. Show cases where you have navigated changes.Whether you've taken on additional responsibilities, volunteered for cross-functional projects, or successfully transitioned into a new role or industry, you'll be shown to be adaptable.

   (Video) What are "soft skills" and why are more employers looking for them on a resume?

2. Use the selected action verbs. Begin your list with action verbs like"aligned", "rotated",or"cuddling"convey your adaptability.

3. Prepare specific examples for interviews. Be prepared to share anecdotes that illustrate your adaptability. Talk about the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the results you achieved.

Remember that change is inevitable, but with the right mindset and skills, you can turn it into an opportunity for growth.

4. Team work

Employers love job seekers who can demonstrate their ability to work effectively in a team, as this leads to increased productivity, easier project management and a more pleasant work atmosphere.

A positive team can also generate creative ideas, increase morale and job satisfaction, reduce employee turnover and promote a healthy work environment.

So if you want to improve your teamwork skills, try these strategies:

1. Asking for feedback.Ask your colleagues for their opinion on your performance in a team environment and use their feedback to identify areas for improvement.

2. Participate actively.Get involved in team discussions and contribute your ideas, even if you're not the loudest or most outgoing member of the group.

3. Be reliable.Complete tasks on time and consistently deliver high quality work.

4. Practice conflict resolution.Learn how to resolve disagreements constructively and respectfully and foster a positive team atmosphere. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Demonstrate teamwork skills during the recruitment process

To show yourteamwork skillspotential employers, consider incorporating these tactics into your job search:

Here's how you can show teamwork in your CV:

• Use action words such as"collaborated with", "facilitated",or"supported"to describe your experiences in teamwork.

• Highlight any team projects or accomplishments and emphasize your role in contributing to the team's success through usehighlightedoritalics.

And this is how you can show teamwork in your cover letter:

• Use two or three sentences for a specific example of how you excelled in a team environment. Then explain how these experiences prepared you for the position you are applying for.

And finally, this is how you can show teamwork at a job interview:

• Be prepared to discuss your experiences with teamwork in detail, focusing on your contribution and the results achieved. Use of oneSTAR methodcome in handy.

• Be prepared to answer behavioral questions that explore your ability to work in a team, such as"Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member."

5. Emotional intelligence

Being a strong team member and a good communicator has a lot to do with being an emotionally intelligent person.

But what is emotional intelligence (EI)?

Simply put, it is the ability to recognize, understand and manage our own emotions as well as those around us. It's not just about feeling or empathy; it's about using this understanding to navigate social situations and maintain positive relationships – including relationships at work.

People with high emotional intelligence are usually:

• better team players
• problem solvers
• effective communicators
• they can more easily adapt to changes
• are more resilient to failure

Thanks to that,Researchshowed that emotional intelligence is as important as technical skills and IQ when it comes to predicting success at work.

While some people find it more challenging to develop emotional intelligence, the good news is that it can be developed and improved over time. Here's how you can do it:

1. Practice self-awareness.Think about your feelings and try to identify your triggers. What are the things that make you angry or frustrated at work and why? This will help you better understand yourself and how you react to or avoid certain situations.

2. Work with self-regulation.Find healthy ways to deal with your emotions at work, such as going for a walk, meditating, or talking to someone.

3. Practice social skills. Participate in activities that require communication with others and train yourself to become a pleasant person. For example, join a social club at work or start volunteering in your spare time.

How to demonstrate emotional intelligence during the hiring process

Now that you've worked on improving youremotional intelligence, it's time to show it to potential employers. Here are some ways to incorporate your EI into your resume and interview answers:

I dit CV:Include specific examples of how you have used your emotional intelligence in the workplace. This can be through conflict resolution, team building or adaptation to change.

In the interview:Prepare stories that show your emotional intelligence in action. For example, you can share a moment when you successfully had a difficult conversation or helped a colleague in a difficult situation.

Key data for the van

In conclusion, when you look at all the most desirable soft skills -communication, problem solving, adaptability, teamwork,Iemotional intelligence— you will see that they are indeed connected.

A person who possesses these qualities can be characterized as well-rounded, mature and people-oriented. As a result, they will be a valuable addition to any team in a variety of industries.

If you do not naturally possess these qualities, the thought of acquiring them may seem overwhelming at the moment.But there is nothing that cannot be improved with focus and consistent practice.

All you have to do is follow our advice in this article. We hope you get the most out of them and wish you luck on your professional journey.