Workshops/Soft Skills Development Series/Soft Skills in the Workplace

Soft Skills in the Workplace

Workshop Information

What skills do you think are necessary to succeed in today’s workplace? Most people would probably answer something like organisation, communication, or analytical thinking. While those are important, they aren’t the only skills that will determine your success at work. In today’s fast-paced and increasingly tech-savvy workplace, so-called “soft skills” like collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving are becoming just as important as more traditional hard skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic. These so-called “soft skills” aren’t actually that soft—they just aren’t as quantifiable as their counterparts. These types of non-technical skills are incredibly helpful for anyone who wants to succeed at work and advance their career. In this blog post, we will explore what soft skills are and why they matter in the workplace. If you want to take your career to the next level, read on to learn more!

Workshop Has Ended

Today’s workplaces are faster-paced and more technology-driven than ever before. In order to thrive in this environment, job seekers need to demonstrate a balance of hard and soft skills in their resume and interviews. Both types of skills are important for career success, but the former is often more readily apparent on resumes and interview question lists. If you’re looking for a job in today’s marketplace, it is essential that you convey the abilities that hiring managers seek when reviewing your resume or meeting you for an interview. A strong combination of both hard and soft skills will increase your chances of landing a new job opportunity effectively and efficiently. Check out our list below to learn about the top five soft skills needed for success in the workplace:

Communication Skills

Communication is arguably one of the most important soft skill sets for success in the workplace because it is an almost constant part of most people’s daily lives. Whether you are communicating with a supervisor, a coworker, a client, or a vendor, you will need strong communication skills to be successful in your job. Employers want employees with strong communication skills because they are able to build and maintain effective relationships with others. Communication skills are important in any industry, but are particularly critical in industries that involve a high degree of collaboration, such as healthcare, law, marketing, and IT. Clear and Strong Communication: The first thing to remember when discussing communication skills is that they are not the same as oratory skills. Employers are not looking for people who can deliver a rousing speech. Instead, they are looking for employees who can clearly and concisely convey ideas and information.

Problem Solving Skills

Problem solving skills are the ability to identify and understand issues, and then identify the best way to address them. Employers want people with these skills on their team because they understand that every business faces challenges and roadblocks on a daily basis. They want employees who can identify problems, come up with potential solutions, and work as a team to implement them. Problem Solving in the Workplace: Part of every job involves solving problems, so this skill is incredibly important. Employees with strong problem solving skills understand that there may be issues that they have not foreseen, or challenges they have not yet been able to fully address. Instead of getting frustrated or stuck, they are able to identify and address the issues at hand in a constructive way.

Collaboration Skills

Collaboration is the ability to work with others towards a common goal. Employers seek out employees who have strong collaboration skills because they understand that issues and challenges arise in every organisation. Instead of every team member trying to solve the problem on their own, they are able to work together in a productive and efficient way. Collaboration is a critical soft skill in industries that rely heavily on a team approach to problem solving, such as healthcare, law, and IT. Collaboration in the Workplace: Collaboration can take many different forms in the workplace, including the ways in which teams share information, manage their workload, and handle administrative and logistical tasks. Collaboration is often critical in the early stages of designing a new product or service, and again when it comes time to bring it to market.

Computer Skills

Computer skills are the ability to effectively use computers and all related technology. Employers look for these skills on a resume because, while they know they will have their new hire quickly up to speed on the organisation’s computer systems, they also want their employees to be able to effectively use their own computer and other technology systems. Computer Skills in the Workplace: Computer skills are not simply about being able to type your resume or send emails. Instead, they are about understanding how to use a wide array of computer software and hardware systems effectively to get work done. These systems can include everything from organisation management tools like Outlook to customer relationship management systems like Salesforce.

Writing and Language Skills

Writing and language skills are the ability to effectively use language in written and spoken form. This includes vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Employers want employees with strong language and writing skills because their ability to effectively communicate is critical to getting work done. Good Writing and Language Skills in the Workplace: Good writing and language skills are more than just being able to string words together in a grammatically correct way. Instead, they also include being able to clearly communicate ideas and concepts to others using language that is appropriate for the audience. This includes not only written communication, but also communication that is spoken in person or on the telephone.

Conclusion

Soft skills are skills that are less tangible than hard skills, but they are just as important when it comes to finding a job and thriving in the workplace. By reading this article, you have already taken the first step in improving your soft skills. Now it's time to put what you've learned into action. If you are looking for a new job, now is the time to strengthen your resume and practice your interview skills. By investing time now to improve your soft skills, you will be better prepared for your next career move.