Job Advice

Understanding Soft Skills

If you have been in the job market very long, you have probably heard the term "soft skills." This is more than just a catchphrase that employers like to include in a job description. In fact, soft skills are a very important skill set that can make or break your success in just about any job role. Keep reading to polish up your understanding of soft skills.

What Are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are a skill set that is not usually learned in the same way someone might learn typing or computer skills. In many cases, soft skills are packaged up with your personality, but that is not to say that soft skills cannot be learned or at least strengthened through specified training. Soft skills usually include skills such as:

• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Problem-solving
• Creative solution development
• Empathy
• Leadership
• Work ethic
• Teamwork
• Dependability
• Time management
• Conflict Resolution

This is only a partial list, but you get the idea. Soft skills are not your actual job skills, but rather these are the supportive skills that help you better do any job.

How Can Soft Skills Be Improved?

Although many people are quick to think that soft skills are either packaged into your personality or they are not, the truth is many soft skills can be learned or at least strengthened through focused attention. The first thing is to identify which soft skills you struggle with. This can sometimes be difficult because this is usually only identified through constructive criticism. If you struggle with accepting or using constructive criticism, then you may never identify which areas need work. Listen to criticism from co-workers, employees, friends, and family. It will clue you into which skills need attention.

Soft skills are an important part of your job skills package. Be on the lookout for soft skills that need improvement.