Hard Facts on Soft Skills

People think that their technical knowledge andskills on your CV or resume. Don't just write
experience is most important in their search for a"communication skills" but include a short sentence
new position. Whilst these can certainly assist youwith further information eg Communication skills -
to get through initial screening processesI write monthly reports for the board and also
increasingly it is your soft skills that are themake presentations on a quarterly basis.
clincher as far as getting a new job is concerned.Interviewers are increasingly favouring
So, if you're serious about finding a new positioncompetency based interviews where you are
then take time to do an audit on your soft skillsasked to provide an example of a situation where
and think of ways to develop these further.you have used a particular skill. Think carefully
WHAT ARE SOFT SKILLS?about the role for which you are applying and the
Soft skills cover a range of different abilities suchlikely key soft skills that they will expect
as being able to communicate effectively, workcandidates to possess and then write down
as a member of a team, negotiation skills, timeexamples of where you have put these skills into
management and interpersonal skills such as thepractice. Each of your stories should explain the
ability to lead, delegate and motivate. They cansituation (challenge or circumstance encountered),
also encompass traits such as flexibility andthe task that was required, the action you took
creativity.to complete the project or solve the issue and
IDENTIFYING YOUR SKILLSthe result of this action. It can also be useful to
Identifying your key soft skills requiresconsider learning points from each situation.
self-awareness which is in itself a soft skill. It canBUILDING NEW SOFT SKILLS
be an extremely worthwhile exercise toOnce you have identified the soft skills you need
understand which soft skills you are naturally goodto develop then there are a number of ways that
at and those which require further development.you can do this;
You can identify your key strengths by thinking- Read personal development books - Every book
about your current role and asking your managerstore has shelves of these books and you can
and colleagues what they consider are your bestbuy books that focus on the particular skill that
soft skills. If you receive regular appraisals thenyou want to work on
take time to read these carefully and take a note- Ask for training from your current employer -
of the soft skills that you have been praised forYour appraisal meeting is a great opportunity to
and those which require improvement. Also askrequest additional training that will assist with the
family and friends to say what they think yourdevelopment of your career. Be clear on what
strengths and weaknesses are. These don'tspecific training you would like eg presentation
necessarily need to be work related as you'llskills course, listening skills, team building
often find these are part of your personality. For- Join organisations such as JCI , Toastmasters or
example if you tend to be disorganised in yourattend meetings hosted by your professional
personal life then its more than likely that you'reassociation.
the same at work. Another method to help you- Take time to practice these soft skills. A great
identify your key soft skills is to read the bookway to do this may be to volunteer. Look for
"Strengths Finder" by Tom Rath and undertakeroles that will give you an opportunity to practice
the on-line test that will give you your top 5using specific skills.
strengths.Soft skills development should be a key part of
PROVIDING EVIDENCEyour career plan and time spent on this area is
Ensure that you include details of your key softsure to pay dividends in the future.