The modern workplace has changed. If you bring a CV filled with technical skills (also called hard skills) but zero or negligible soft skills, it is a
The modern workplace has changed. If you bring a CV filled with technical skills (also called hard skills) but zero or negligible soft skills, it is almost understood you won’t get the job.
How are we so sure?
Are soft-skills really THAT important?
Yes, they are and we speak from statistics.
According to a recent study by Deloitte Access Economics, it is believed that soft skills occupations will make up for about two-third of ALL jobs in the world by 2030. It is only a decade away and the change is already happening. The only way to stay ahead of the curve is to understand the change and move with it.
Are we saying that technical skills don’t matter? No. They are very important – however, there has been a shift in the way companies work.
We are going to take you through a detailed explanation of why soft skills training has become critical today. If you want to get that dream job, you need to have a good balance of technical understanding as well as interpersonal skills.
So what are soft-skills? Let’s find out.
SOFT SKILLS – WHAT THEY ARE
Simply put, soft skills are people skills. Your ability to interact with people, work in a team, engage with clients, customers as well as team members, and build relationships that are meaningful. All these come under the umbrella of soft skills.
You may wonder why are soft skills so important?
How do they aid a business?
In today’s times, the importance of soft skills is underestimated but critical. They help the smooth functioning of any business as well as contribute to its growth.
WHY ARE SOFT SKILLS IMPORTANT?
Let’s take some examples of the different types of soft skills and decode how they can help the business you have started or work for.
1. Confidence
Being confident will help you trust your abilities, take a stand for what’s right and have a constructive discussion with your superiors and clients. It will also push you towards your goals while maintaining a positive attitude. These qualities are not just great for you but can also impact your team’s morale.
2. Communication
One of the most underestimated characteristics is communication. The importance of this skill can never be emphasized enough. Good communication skills include listening, speaking and writing. They can immediately be the reason your opinion is taken or discarded.
While working in a team environment, it is important to put forth your ideas, suggestions, recommendations and arguments BUT without offending anyone. Whether this is done through email, text or in person, communicating well will ensure you get your point across amicably. Apart from that, it can be the secret behind being the popular employee who understands, works together as well as leads a team efficiently.
3. Productivity
However good you may be at your job, what matters most are results. Achieving company goals is always top priority and productivity can help you get there.
From organizing and planning to creating and delivering, it is critical to stay focused and meet deadlines. Apart from that, as you grow in your organisation, you may have to manage multiple projects. Being productive will help you lead, achieve and scale heights.
4. Self-Awareness
This may sound odd but being aware of your skills and flaws will make you want to improve and grow as an individual. Undoubtedly, this will impact your work too. Working in a team, you need to know what you’re good at and what is better delegated or outsourced. For the end result to be of the best quality, the importance of this soft skill cannot be stressed enough.
Personally too, self-awareness will help you build strong relationships with your colleagues and clients because honesty always goes a long way.
5. Problem-solving Skills
Every business solves a problem or fulfils a need. However, for it to provide effective solutions, the employees need to be willing to analyse, improve and grow in everything they do. What worked in 2010 may not work today. It is imperative for us to understand the need to look at a problem objectively, come up with creative solutions, implement plans as well as redo this whole process again if the results are not optimal.
Although these skills may seem simple to you, acquiring them is becoming more important every day. Employers prefer to hire people who have these skills and more, rather than people who have in-depth technical knowledge but lack soft skills.
The unsaid benefits of soft skills, in the world of technology, are that hard skills can be replaced by machines. Some statistics go to prove that employers prefer aspirants with good soft skills over experience. With artificial intelligence and virtual reality taking over, a lot of the mundane tasks will be technologically driven over time. Soft skills, however, cannot be replaced by machines.
iCIMS Hiring Insights had discovered that a whopping 94% of recruiters believe that an employee with great soft skills has a higher chance of being promoted to a leadership role over someone with more experience but weak soft skills. If that doesn’t bring home the importance of soft skills for employment, we don’t know what will!
At this juncture, you may think that how does one learn these skills?
Is there a platform for soft skills training?
Yes, there are many soft skills training courses available online that you can enrol for. Colleges are also recognizing the market and its requirements. There have been many new additions in universities to incorporate soft skills training for students to help them prepare for the corporate environment.
The world is in transition and it is important for us to understand and move with it. Building a strong, transferable skill set that can be applied to any industry will widen your horizons and help you stay prepared.
What are the other soft skills that you think are important? Tell us in the comments below.
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