What are soft skills and why are so important while looking for a job?

According to a survey made by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), 97% of employers think soft skills are as important as or even more relevant than hard skills. This figure reflects clearly how relevant soft skills have become when it comes to looking for a job position. 

What are soft skills exactly? We can help you answer that question! At T2W we have a wide experience in personnel selection and Human Resources management. In this article we’ll help you understand what are soft skills and why are they so important. 

What are soft skills? 

These are skills directly related to the way of working. They are part of the personality traits, attitudes and interpersonal skills. Soft skills can enhance employees’ performance making them more productive. It is also important to notice that these skills are not limited to the office, since we usually use them outside the work environment 

Since these are intrinsic traits of each person, we all have a different set of soft skills. The good news here is that we can work to improve them. In general, these are developed as you gain experience and you know yourself enough to understand your strength and weaknesses. 

Hard skills vs soft skills 

To have a better grasp of soft skills, we have to compare them to hard skills and see how different are from each other. Hard skills is comprised by all the technical knowledge without which you wouldn’t be able to work: your knowledge of engineering, accounting or the career you have chosen. Generally, to access this knowledge you need academic formation. 

On the other hand, soft skills are not part of a profession or specialty field, but they are mot general. These will help you work efficiently with coworkers. How do recruiters evaluate these skills? In general, they use tools such as situational and behavioral tests. 

That’s why, traditionally, hard skills were considered as the tool that would help you get the job, and soft skills were the tools that would help you retain the job and show a good performance. So, we can say that these skill sets complement each other and help professionals to work efficiently. 

Why are soft skills important? 

The work style in modern businesses is very collaboration-driven. In this context, soft skills become more important for recruiters. After all, in theory, just like you, there will be hundreds of professionals applying to the same position, all of them with very similar technical knowledge as you. Soft skills are one of the aspects that will help you to stand out from the rest. 

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Soft skills at work 

Here we show you some soft skills examples that are the most relevant for businesses and recruiters today. 

1. Leadership skills 

Leadership is not just a requirement for management positions. There are many situations that require someone to lead a group in order to get the desired results. For example, the correct functioning of a team requires the role of a leader. Additionally, the positions that offer a career path also need leadership skills once you get to higher positions. 

2. Teamwork skills 

This is a very valuable skill nowadays. As we previously said, collaborating is now more important than ever before. A professional who is capable of connecting with other people and cooperating with them will be of more use of the organization. Therefore, a candidate who is able to work in a team will be more attractive for recruiters. 

3. Adaptability skills 

When you enter a new organization, it expects you to adapt and start working as fast as possible. However, even if you have already been I a similar position, each business has its own way of working internally. The tools, the platforms and the flow of work won’t be the same. Adaptability will allow you to adjust to those new situations in a fast and efficient manner. 

4. Problem-solving skills 

Problems, difficulties and unexpected situations are always present at all professional areas. Regardless of the position, organizations need professionals who can solve possible problems and get out of those complicated situations by themselves. 

5. Conflict management skills 

In a context in which many people with different personalities must collaborate daily very closely, conflicts are inevitable. That’s why professionals need to know how to deal with those situations to solve them. Also, it is important to identify possible sources of conflict to avoid them. 

6. Time management skills 

Today, telecommuting is the main way of working. We all know that, despite all its benefits, working from home can be very, very distracting. Therefore, organizations need people who can handle their tasks and responsibilities on time far from the work premises. 

Now you know the definition of soft skills and its importance in the modern work market. Try to refine some of those skills and you will have better changes in your job search. 

At Talent2Win, we strive to align your company’s business objectives with the best Talent Acquisition strategies available. If you want to learn more about the services we offer, do not hesitate to contact us.