Hard skills have long been the focus of hiring managers during recruitment. But the recruitment industry has now seen the demand for soft skills go up. In some situations, they have been the deciding factor in selecting candidates for open roles.
Although recruiters value hard skills and experience, soft skills show potential employers the personality benefits that a candidate would bring to the job.
With all the hype around soft skills, you might wonder what they are and what all the fuss is about.
Soft skills are personal traits that affect how successfully you work or connect with others. They are individual skills like creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. These skills can influence how we work, act, and interact with others in the workplace.
Now, with more jobs being automated, soft skills have become more important as they cannot be automated. They have become critical success drivers since they are highly transferrable and can be used in various settings and roles.
When applying for jobs, it’s important to showcase your soft skills in your CV. Stick with me!
Let’s discuss some of the soft skills employers look for in your CV and why they are important to employers.
Soft skills you should include in your CV
Many soft skills have to do with being able to properly socialize with others and communicate your ideas. They can give you that needed advantage in your job search.
Employers search for these skills because they feel they can help employees deal with workplace challenges.
The following are some of the soft skills employers look for in your CV.
Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills have to do with how you relate to others, both inside and outside the company. It is an example of the soft skills employers look for in candidates.
It entails building and maintaining relationships, starting conversations, and using diplomacy. It is also about being tolerant and respectful regarding people's opinions and empathizing with them.
It is one of the most important soft skills in the corporate world. This requires you to know how to interact with people. It is essential to the growth of the business and to building strong workplace relationships.
Leadership skill
Strong leadership skill is another example of soft skills. You can mentor others, train new hires, and guide teams.
This is important when taking on additional responsibilities and being promoted within a firm. Candidates with leadership qualities are valued by employers. They value them because they are decisive and responsible.
Employers can rely on you in a crisis if you have this skill, trusting that you can handle yourself and others.
Ability to solve problems
Applying your knowledge to find solutions to pressing problems shows your ability to flourish in your position.
Employers want to know that you can think critically and creatively to develop solutions to problems or obstacles that come up in your role.
So, look for ways to highlight your ability to solve problems in your CV and list situations where you had to come up with innovative solutions.
Adaptability
Adaptability is one of the examples of soft skills employers look for when making new hires. They want employees who can switch gears and take on new duties as needed.
Also, technological advancements have pushed hiring managers to make adaptability and resilience critical factors when recruiting.
Having this soft skill will help you fit into different roles even if your desired role is not available.
Pro tip
It is not enough to just have these skills highlighted in your CV. You should be able to show proof of it or instances where it was exhibited.
The experience section of your CV is an ideal place to show off your soft skills. This section allows you to go into detail about how your soft skills helped you achieve things at work and deliver results.
Why are soft skills important to employers?
Employers recognize the importance of soft skills in the workplace. A recent report has shown that hiring managers rate soft skills as a critical priority.
Hiring employees with soft skills can have a significant impact on an organization’s ability to function effectively.
This and many more are some of the reasons why soft skills are rated highly by employers.
The following are some of the reasons why soft skills are important to employers:
Soft skills facilitate growth
Employers desire people who are constantly looking for ways to improve their skill sets.
Soft skills add to an employee's ability to use existing skills effectively and to continuously build such skills over time. It also improves employee retention.
Soft skills facilitate teamwork
Soft skills contribute to a more cohesive workplace that values and respects collaboration. Teamwork and communication are important soft skills to have in a workplace where employees must collaborate in departments or on a project.
Employers seek workers who can fit into the dynamic of a team without interfering with the growth or comfort of the working environment.
Improves customer service
Employees with soft skills actively listen and successfully identify problems and solutions that clients require. They will be more compassionate and empathic while dealing with clients' problems. This has a favorable influence on customer service.
They help grow connections
Employers rely on individuals with a strong professional network to assist them in making business connections and even making hiring decisions.
Employees with strong soft skills have a natural curiosity that helps them to seek professional opportunities and gain market expertise fast.
They help maintain relationships
Employers want people they can rely on to represent the firm professionally and courteously.
They use soft skills to determine between candidates who are competent for a job and those who can exceed expectations by putting effort into their professional connections.
Wrapping up
No matter what role you’re applying for, soft skills are universally needed in today's workforce.
So, not only can it qualify you for a job, but when paired with solid credentials, it can make you a much more attractive candidate.
Ensure you take the time to showcase soft skills in your CV. It is the elixir that boosts workplace productivity.