Soft skills - Do you have

 

 Soft Skills For Job Hunters

More Than Technical Qualifications Needed to Move Ahead in Your Career

You'll likely see these "soft skills" popping up in job descriptions, next to demands for technical qualifications. Employment experts agree that tech skills may get you an interview, but these soft skills will get you the job -- and help you keep it:

People skills and relationship-building are key to success

Each company looks for a different mix of skills and experience depending on the business it's in. Yet it's no longer enough to be a functional expert. To complement these unique core competencies, there are certain "soft skills" every company looks for in a potential hire.

 "Soft skills" refer to a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that make someone a good employee and compatible to work with. Companies value soft skills because research suggests and experience shows that they can be just as important an indicator of job performance as hard skills.

Today's service economy and the ascendance of work teams in large organizations puts a new premium on people skills and relationship-building," Portland-based human resources expert Lori Kocon says. "And with business being done at an increasingly fast pace, employers also want people who are agile, adaptable and creative at solving problems."

When It Comes to Soft Skills, Show -- Don't Tell

How do you prove you're proficient at, say, critical observation? Demonstrating these soft skills may be more difficult than listing concrete accomplishments like Rs.2 million in sales or a professional certification. But it is possible to persuade hiring managers that you have what they need.

To demonstrate communication skills, for example, start with the obvious. Make sure there are no typos in your resume or cover letter. Beyond that, enhance your communication credibility by writing an accomplishment statement on your resume or cover letter, says Cheryl E. Palmer, president of Call to Career. "Instead of stating, 'great oral and written communication skills,' say, 'conducted presentation for C-level executives that persuaded them to open a new line of business that became profitable within eight months.'"Advise to all job candidates -- especially those who aspire to managerial positions -- to get in touch with their soft sides. Some of the most common soft skills employers are looking for and will be assessing you on include:

 

1. Strong Work Ethic

Are you motivated and dedicated to getting the job done, no matter what? Will you be conscientious and do your best work?

Critical Observation

It's not enough to be able to collect data and manipulate it. You must also be able to analyze and interpret it. What story does the data tell? What questions are raised? Are there different ways to interpret the data? "Instead of handing your boss a spreadsheet, give them a business summary and highlight the key areas for attention, and suggest possible next steps," Sarikas advises.

2. Positive Attitude

Are you optimistic and upbeat? Will you generate good energy and good will?

Positive attitude brings optimism and motivates toward success. With a positive attitude, your life becomes happier and more successful.

3. Good Communication Skills

Are you both verbally articulate and a good listener? Can you make your case and express your needs in a way that builds bridges with colleagues, customers and vendors?

This doesn't mean you have to be a brilliant orator or writer. It does mean you have to express yourself well, whether it's writing a coherent memo, persuading others with a presentation or just being able to calmly explain to a team member what you need.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration

Do you know how to prioritize tasks and work on a number of different projects at once? Will you use your time on the job wisely?

Employers want employees who play well with others -- who can effectively work as part of a team. "That means sometimes being a leader, sometimes being a good follower, monitoring the progress, meeting deadlines and working with others across the organization to achieve a common goal,"

Will you work well in groups and teams? Will you be cooperative and take a leadership role when appropriate?

 Being a good team player isn't always easy. teams are usually created to solve difficult problems, and they often have tight deadlines and strict budgets

5. Problem-Solving Skills

Are you resourceful and able to creatively solve problems that will inevitably arise? Will you take ownership of problems or leave them for someone else?

Be prepared for the "how did you solve a problem?" interview question with several examples, advises Ann Spoor, managing director of Cave Creek Partners. "Think of specific examples where you solved a tough business problem or participated in the solution. Be able to explain what you did, how you approached the problem, how you involved others and what the outcome was -- in real, measurable results."

6. Self-Confidence

Do you truly believe you can do the job? Will you project a sense of calm and inspire confidence in others? Will you have the courage to ask questions that need to be asked and to freely contribute your ideas?

 Self confidence is the difference between feeling unstoppable and feeling scared out of your wits.

7. Ability to Accept and Learn From Criticism

Will you be able to handle criticism? Are you coachable and open to learning and growing as a person and as a professional?

When any criticism arise don’t panic think and if it is useful to rectify your committed mistakes accept it gracefully ,  if it is only blame don’t involve in blame game. Smile and leave for the person who criticizing you.

8. Flexibility/Adaptability

Are you able to adapt to new situations and challenges? Will you embrace change and be open to new ideas?

This is especially important for more-seasoned professionals to demonstrate, to counter the (often erroneous) opinion that older workers are too set in their ways. "To succeed in most organizations, you need to have a passion for learning and the ability to continue to grow and stretch your skills to adapt to the changing needs of the organization,"

It is advised that,  "On your resume, on your cover letter and in your interview, explain the ways you've continued to learn and grow throughout your career."

9. Working Well Under Pressure

Can you handle the stress that accompanies deadlines and crises? Will you be able to do your best work and come through in a pinch?

Conflict Resolution

The ability to persuade, negotiate and resolve conflicts is crucial if you plan to move up. "You need to have the skill to develop mutually beneficial relationships in the organization so you can influence and persuade people,"

It is advised that,  "You need to be able to negotiate win-win solutions to serve the best interests of the company and the individuals involved."

When job-hunting, advise is  that you focus on the skills most likely to interest the prospective employer and learn to demonstrate these skills through your resume, in an interview or in dealing with potential employers at career fairs or industry association gatherings.

For example, tell a story of how you successfully handled a crisis or challenge at your company. Mention honors you received or even bring along letters of thanks or commendation from an employer or customer.

Remember, whether you are applying for a service position or a technical job, it's your combination of core and soft skills that will set you apart from the crowd!

Learn Soft Skills

The good news is that, like any skill, soft skills can be learned. The better news? Boosting your soft skills not only gives you a leg up on a new job or a promotion, but these skills also have obvious applications in all areas of a person's life, both professional and personal.

Take a Course: Some colleges are mixing technology with areas such as effective written and verbal communication, teamwork, cultural understanding and psychology. Take a writing or public speaking course to boost your communication skills. Look for a conflict-resolution course or "leadership skills" class at your local community college.

Seek Mentors: Be as specific as you can about your target skill, and when you're approaching a potential mentor, compliment that person with a specific example in which you've seen him practice that skill, advises Ed Muzio, the author of Make Work Great. "Then ask whether that person would be willing to share ideas with you about how you might achieve the same level of capability," he says. "Maybe it will grow into a long mentoring relationship, or maybe you'll just pick the person's brain for a few minutes."

Volunteer: Working with nonprofit organizations gives you the opportunity to build soft skills. And listing high-profile volunteer work on your resume gives you an excuse to point out what you gained there. For example, "As chair of the environmental committee, planned and carried out a citywide park cleanup campaign. Utilized team-building, decision-making and cooperative skills. Extensive report writing and public speaking."

Last but not least your work will be appraisable

“If you are a sweeper  your work will be praised by the angles by telling that there was a man who makes all the roads he cleaning are reflecting like a mirror “

So even if  you possess Knowledge about your work and know how to manage people but if you don’t accomplish your task you are out of the job world.

So be a doer not the describer

All the very big best  !!!