What Are Soft Skills? Why They Matter in the Workplace
While hard skills tell you what tasks you can perform, soft skills show how you approach these tasks.
Soft skills are the qualities and behaviors that shape how you handle your work. You likely apply these skills in various aspects of your life. Communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal abilities are all examples of soft skills. However, they are especially important in the workplace.
Soft skills are often called workplace skills or human skills. These terms can provide a clearer understanding when discussing your abilities.
In this article, we will explore the essential soft skills that employers seek and share tips to help you enhance your own skills.
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
Hard skills explain what you can do, while soft skills show how you accomplish those tasks.
Hard skills are your technical abilities related to specific tasks. Examples of hard skills include data analysis, computer programming, writing, and UX design. When you tackle a task, you typically rely on both hard and soft skills. You use technical skills to navigate the task and soft skills to ensure successful results.
What Workplace Skills Are Employers Seeking?
Workplace skills provide insight into how someone approaches their work beyond just the technical aspects. For many employers, your methods are as important as the tasks you perform, especially concerning long-term learning, growth, and success.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers view workplace skills as more crucial to job readiness—the basic qualifications needed for any role—than technical skills.
Specifically, employers are generally looking for the following skills:
Work Ethic: A commitment to doing your best.
Effective Communication: The ability to clearly share ideas and information.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Working well with others to achieve common goals.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Analyzing situations to find solutions.
Employers often assess these skills to predict a candidate’s future potential. This evaluation can influence decisions about project leadership or promotions. Hiring managers also consider workplace skills to determine if a candidate will fit well within a specific team.
Examples of Soft Skills
Employers may prioritize workplace skills differently based on their needs. Here are some examples of valuable soft skills:
Active Listening: Fully concentrating on what others are saying.
Adaptability: Adjusting to new situations and changes.
Communication: Effectively conveying information and ideas.
Creativity: Thinking outside the box to develop new ideas.
Critical Thinking: Evaluating information to make informed decisions.
Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Leadership: Guiding and motivating a team toward shared goals.
Organization: Keeping tasks and priorities in order.
Problem-Solving: Finding solutions to challenges.
Resourcefulness: Utilizing available resources effectively.
Strategic Thinking: Planning for the long term and considering the bigger picture.
Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others.
Time Management: Using time wisely to meet deadlines.
Ways to Enhance Your Workplace Skills
Since workplace skills are largely related to behavior, improving them may require changing your usual habits, approaches, or thought processes. This kind of development takes practice and patience, but over time, you will likely find it easier to use your workplace skills effectively.
While these skills have traditionally been seen as more challenging to learn than technical skills, there are several ways to build on your existing abilities. If you have a particular skill you want to improve, consider how you can integrate it into your daily routine. You might also seek guidance from a life coach to create a personalized action plan.
Here are some suggestions for enhancing your workplace skills:
1.Practice Different Communication Styles:
People have various preferences for how they communicate, including methods like conversation, email, or text, as well as styles such as passive, aggressive, or assertive. In addition to improving your communication skills, thinking about how to adapt your style for different situations can help you practice adaptability, critical thinking, and strategic thinking.
To explore different communication styles, try expressing the same idea in multiple ways. You can write it down, explain it aloud, or create a presentation for various audiences.
2. Join a Group Project:
Participating in a group project not only shows your willingness to take the initiative but also allows you to practice several workplace skills, including teamwork, time management, and active listening. Additionally, group projects provide a chance to apply your technical skills in a collaborative setting.
To get involved in a group project, show interest in your colleagues' work and offer assistance where you can contribute. You can also seek opportunities in your local community.
3. Learn Something New:
Exploring new subjects can broaden your thinking and promote personal growth. There is a strong connection between learning and creativity, so whatever you choose to study, you will gain technical knowledge while also enhancing your creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
4. Socialize with Teammates:
Workplace skills come into play during every interaction. Getting to know your teammates can be a valuable way to practice your communication and active listening skills, as well as create opportunities for future collaboration.
If it feels right, engage with your teammates by showing interest in their lives and being open to sharing about your own experiences.
5. Suggest Improvements to Processes:
As you develop your technical and workplace skills, you might identify opportunities to enhance the way things are done in your workplace. Critically analyzing processes, recognizing issues, and proposing effective solutions are all important workplace skills.
6. Ask for Feedback:
Many workplace skills involve interaction, and getting an outside perspective can help you identify what you do well and areas for improvement. Additionally, providing feedback to others allows you to practice active listening, leadership, and teamwork.
To seek feedback, reach out to your manager, recent project partners, or colleagues with whom you have developed relationships.
To suggest improvements, consider asking your manager about their preferred processes and the type of information they need to evaluate your suggestions.
How to Include Workplace Skills on a Resume:
Incorporating workplace skills on your resume can be less straightforward than adding technical skills, but there are several ways to highlight them. You can include these skills in your summary, objective statement, or a dedicated skills section. Additionally, choose action words that align with the workplace skills you want to showcase in your work experience section. Your cover letter can also provide an opportunity to elaborate on these skills.
Keep in mind that workplace skills are evident in your work approach. When discussing your achievements, explain what you did, how you did it, and the impact of your actions.
