Job Hunting? Don't Ignore Your "Soft" Skills

By Miriam Salpeter
Keppie Careers - www.keppiecareers.com
Blog: www.keppiecareers.wordpress.com

What are "Soft" Skills?

"Soft" skills, otherwise known as emotional intelligence, may make a difference between an employee who can do the job and one who does it well. Examples of soft skills include: leadership, written and verbal communication, problem solving, motivation, interpersonal skills and creativity. Soft skills are transferable to any position; they do not rely on technical abilities. They are not skills typically taught in classrooms. (Although some business school programs are incorporating training in emotional intelligence to give their students a competitive edge.)

Some recruiters believe that soft skills make the difference between the candidate who is hired and the second choice applicant. Employers today seek flexibility, teamwork and integrity. They realize that someone who communicates well and has a strong work ethic makes a good employee. As a result, incorporating these skills on your resume may make the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over.

The key is to incorporate soft skills with specifics that SHOW your abilities. For example:

Before:
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

After:
Wrote and presented successful training sessions to 200 telephone operators, resulting in measurable gains in company's ordering efficiency.

The first bullet begs the question: Prove it! The "after" bullet leaves no room for doubt: This applicant can communicate verbally (in front of a group) and in writing.

When job hunting, be sure that you leverage everything that you have to offer. Ignoring your "soft" skills, or assuming that everyone will know you have them, is a mistake you may not be able to afford.

Keppie Careers can help you incorporate specific soft skills in your resume. Think about the attributes that make you a strong employee, person and friend. Plan to be able to elaborate and describe these skills in an interview.
www.keppiecareers.com