Don't overlook these soft talents that will help you flourish in 2023.
You're in the thick of your job search and you're certain that you're the best applicant for the position. And why are you so certain? That's simple: you have all of the necessary professional qualifications for the position, including training, industry knowledge, and technical skills.
News flash: so does your competition! The question is, do you possess the soft skills that employers seek from job candidates?
The playing field has shifted as a result of the pandemic's influence on the labor market. The last several years have brought new problems that prompted businesses to do things differently and, as a result,
Changed what recruiters truly care about.
"Unquestionably, COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in the hiring process for both job seekers and recruiters, as our data shows by revealing what's newly important in one's candidacy," stated Amanda Augustine, TopResume's career advisor.
"Our findings reveal that job seekers may be taking themselves out of the running even before - or right after - the virtual interview, because they're ignoring the key factors to which recruiters are suddenly paying attention."
It isn't as mysterious as you might believe. Employers seek and need soft skills, which help prospective candidates stand out from the crowd. Not only will more people work remotely, but there will also be a greater emphasis on productivity and collaboration. This means that crucial soft skills in the workplace are more vital than ever, with some going to the top of recruiters' wish lists by 2023.
What are soft skills?
Consider soft skills for work to be your own skills--things you do that make you a wonderful employee in addition to the technical abilities required for the job. They may come naturally to you, or you may have added some classes to your list to supplement these skills. If you haven't already, try attending online classes and other certification courses to strengthen your soft skills in the workplace. Including soft skills on a resume is critical if you want employers to instantly recognize that you have the skills they are seeking.
Employers are most interested in the following soft skills:
1. Creative problem-solving and invention.
The previous few years have brought a slew of new problems for businesses. The last thing an employer or hiring manager wants is an employee who sees a difficult scenario or new assignment and says, "Wow, I don't know what to do here." Instead, they want to know that you can think logically and creatively to solve problems or overcome difficulties that happen on a daily basis.
They also expect that you will contribute to the development of fresh ideas while tackling existing issues. And the more imaginative the better; this type of thinking leads to innovation and improvement within the organization.
On your CV, stress your problem-solving abilities and describe situations in which you had to apply your creativity in the face of adversity by devising novel solutions to the difficulties you faced.
During your interview, convey your eagerness to face challenges. Every profession involves obstacles, and companies want to hire people who aren't scared to face those problems. Make sure your interviewer understands you're one of those folks.
2. Communication Skills
This is a broad topic that can encompass everything from how you communicate with clients and colleagues to how well you convey your message in emails. The capacity to interact with clients and team members is crucial. And, today that most contact takes place via emails, chats, video, or phone conference calls, effective communication skills are more important than ever.
A class on good communication skills is definitely worth the time and money. It is one of the most important soft skills in every career or business. If you already believe it is one of your best qualities, find a means to demonstrate it on your resume and during your interview.
3. Time Management
Moving to a partial or complete work-from-home environment was a big leap of faith for many employers and hiring managers. Would their teams be legitimately productive away from their office? Without the natural structure that a day at the office provides, time management became a soft skill that quickly rose to the top of many recruiters' priority lists.
Time management means that you know how to organize your schedule to get your projects done on time and with efficiency. How well can you focus on your work and manage your time to stay productive, without a manager looking over your shoulder?
Your work calendar is your best friend for time management. Set daily and weekly goals for what you want to accomplish, and don't be hesitant to schedule time on your calendar to focus on that task. If you're prepared for a job interview, find out what project management tools the organization employs and become comfortable with them. If you can demonstrate knowledge with the tools they employ, you will have an advantage over the competitors.
4. A growth mindset.
To ensure the durability of your career, you must be able to evolve and adapt to changes in your industry and the overall employment market. With the mechanization of employment and sectors, a growth attitude is critical.
So, what exactly is the development mindset? Professionals with a growth mindset are driven to seek greater success by always learning new skills to keep up with a changing market. Essentially, it means being versatile and eager to go above and beyond your existing soft and hard talents.
On your resume, demonstrate your growth mindset by highlighting examples of how you took initiative by learning a new skill that boosted your performance or helped you keep up with industry developments.
5. Emotional intelligence.
What exactly does it mean to have high emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence is the capacity to notice, assess, and respond to your own and other people's emotions. This means that you can think empathetically about others around you and the interpersonal relationships that form in the job.
This is another soft skill that employers want to see, and it has a new connotation for 2023. As we emerge from the shadow of the recent pandemic, many people are still struggling to find their place in the workplace and in society. The capacity to read your coworkers' emotions and respond compassionately is vital.
In fact, according to a CareerBuilder poll, 71% of employers prioritize emotional intelligence in employees over IQ, and 75% are more inclined to promote an employee with a higher EQ (emotional quotient) than someone with a higher IQ.
6. Collaboration.
Collaborating with your coworkers is not as simple as it appears. There are always individuals who believe they know how to do the work and do not trust others to do their part, which can cause friction in the office and reduce overall efficiency.
Learning to trust others, collaborate, and provide and accept ideas is a challenging ability to acquire; nevertheless, if you can, you will be far ahead of the competition.
In your resume, highlight your finest collaboration soft skills by outlining how you collaborate with other team members. You should emphasize that during your interview as well. Demonstrate passion for adopting colleagues' suggestions and increasing your team's overall efficiency by utilizing each individual's unique capabilities.
7. Adaptability.
Change is a constant in the modern workplace. The rapid growth of technology has caused enterprises to innovate or perish in recent years. These developments are expected to continue in the next years, which is why adaptability is currently one of the most sought-after skills among employers.
Consider all of the changes we've seen in recent years. During the pandemic, several offices transitioned from 100% on-site to partially or totally remote work. Video conferencing became commonplace, and working and collaborating online is now considered regular. All of these factors have required employees to adjust to new methods, technology, and ways of thinking. Consider all of the ways you've had to adapt in the past, and be prepared to demonstrate your ability to flow during your next interview.
8. Active Listening
Everyone appreciates a good listener. It should be simple, but it is difficult for many people, especially in distant areas. Active listening entails more than just listening closely; the active listener demonstrates their involvement in the topic by saying things like, "Okay," or "I understand," and nodding. It also entails asking questions, maintaining eye contact, and restraining judgment.
It's all too easy to lose focus during your sixth video conference of the day or that morning check-in call before you've had your coffee. If you're not sure what it means to be an active listener, do some research and practice at home with family or friends (they'll appreciate it too). Then, throughout your interview, demonstrate your active listening abilities as you interact with your interviewer.
9. Leadership
While creativity, communication skills, a development mindset, emotional intelligence, and teamwork are all valuable qualities that can help you become a great employee, leadership abilities will take you much further. Most businesses and hiring managers are always seeking for someone with the potential to advance beyond their current position.
Leadership skills are a culmination of all other soft talents. When you combine these, you have someone who can not only work well with the team, but also take the lead and improve the rest of the team.
If you've previously managed large projects, highlight that on your résumé and during job interviews. Demonstrate that you are not just wanting to punch in and punch out, but rather an applicant that is eager to conquer this job and progress into a future leader within the firm; this makes you an appealing investment to them.