Employees require specific knowledge about their job to perform their duties. But what are soft skills? And how do they fit into the workplace? For employees to perform better, these essential qualities will help them stand out above the rest. Knowing how to communicate clearly, effective time management, and working well with others are some examples of soft skills.
Soft skills are not tied to one particular job or industry, so universally defining them is difficult. Think of them more as characteristics that can help any employee thrive in their workplace. They are also called interpersonal skills, noncognitive skills, or transferable skills.
Contents
So, here are 15 examples of soft skills that are essential for all employees:
- Stress management
- Teamwork
- Dependability
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Decision-making
- Leadership
- Conflict management
- Openness to criticism
- Creativity
- Resourcefulness
- Organizational skills
What makes soft skills so important?
These days, most job ads usually require candidates to express qualities such as “good teamwork,” “adaptability,” or “communication skills,” to name a few. This is because learning to identify soft skills helps employers in many ways:
Find and recognize candidates who are not only able to do the job required of them, but can do it well – For example, an employee who is a good team worker will perform better when expected to frequently work in groups or teams as opposed to someone who prefers working alone.
More effectively decide between candidates who are equally qualified for a position – Employers are more likely to choose an employee who is more adaptable and flexible when deciding between equally qualified applicants.
Identify individuals who are not just knowledgeable, but show potential for future growth – For example, an employee who is overqualified for a lower-level position may not be as suitable as a more junior candidate who is open to learning and growing into their role.
Make better-informed hiring choices – When recruiting a salesperson, for example, employers want to look for someone who is knowledgeable about the market and has sales experience. But they want someone who is also resilient, skilled at negotiating, and has strong verbal communication skills.
Determine how well the candidate will fit into the culture of the company – Employers who value responsibility and accountability in their employees want to have staff members who can take initiative. They will look for applicants that are not afraid to take ownership of their position, who are decisive, and who have a knack for problem-solving.
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How to evaluate soft skills in the workplace
It can be a challenge to accurately identify and assess soft skills in employees. It is often that these characteristics are intangible. They cannot necessarily be determined by only reviewing the soft skills listed on each applicant’s resume.
Why does this matter? Well, it is normal for any job applicant to make an effort to convey a positive image of themselves during interviews. It is, therefore, in the employer’s best interest to delve deeper to see what their potential employees’ true soft skills may contribute to the business.
Here’s how to better determine soft skills in the workplace
Ask all applicants the same questions and be aware of the qualities you’re searching for in potential employees ahead of time.
To begin with, it is important that employers examine each candidate objectively. A good place to start is to prepare specific assessment questions based on the soft skills that are essential for the job position. It is best to plan this before beginning the interview process for a position that is open.
For example, effective communication is crucial in a sales position. You’re more likely to identify someone who can effectively communicate with clients by drafting specific questions that assess how candidates use their communication skills on the job, as opposed to hiring someone who can only appear to do so (e.g., because they’re extroverted).
To best determine how candidates employed soft skills in previous jobs, ask them behavioral questions
You might ask specific questions about candidates’ past experiences in their problem-solving abilities. You might ask how well they manage their time in prioritizing deadlines or how they received work-related criticism, for some examples. In this way, previous actions can reveal how applicants behave in professional settings. These questions can, therefore, be utilized to evaluate the soft skills of potential employees.
Here are a few more ideas that can help:
- “How did you act when you and a coworker differed on the best course of action for a project or solution to a problem at work?”
- “Tell us about a time when you had to support your teammates through a trying situation?”
- “Describe an instance at work where things didn’t go as expected. How did you respond to it?”
- “Describe a moment when you resolved a dilemma at work?”
Use imaginary situations, challenges, and other activities that measure particular skills you are looking for
Every job, team, or business is distinct, so an employer will want to find an applicant who will fit in that unique environment. In other words, it can be helpful to simulate job activities to gauge how applicants might respond to common tasks and challenges.
For instance, you can find applicants who address challenges creatively by using a game-based activity. Alternatively, a role-playing exercise can help you determine whether salespeople possess the precise negotiation abilities you’re looking for.
Here are a few more examples:
- “How would you acknowledge a team member who wasn’t performing up to par?”
- “When several projects are in the works at once, how do you prioritize your work?”
- “How would you approach a crisis at work that requires you to step out of your comfort zone?”
Observe the candidates’ comments, reactions, and body language during the interview
When posing job-specific questions to applicants, soft skills can reveal a lot about a candidate. Many employers will want to focus on knowledge and hard skills, but soft skills can also identify strong and weak points in an individual.
For example, a candidate may state that they pay close attention to detail. But if their written work has several typos and errors, that should be concerning. Meanwhile, an applicant who provides you with concise, organized responses shows they are good at communicating.
In other words, employers need to take everything into account if they want to form the most objective opinion on the soft skills and abilities of candidates. From their interactions with you during interviews to how well they perform on tasks linked to their jobs. This gives employers more confidence in selecting applicants who are the most suitable for the job, as well as those who will fit into the company culture.
What are Soft Skills? – Frequently Asked Questions
How can you evaluate a new hire’s soft skills?
You should test a candidate’s soft skills during the interview by posing questions that occur in actual scenarios. To get this information from them, ask for concrete examples.
What soft skills should you be on the lookout for in new hires?
Finding an employee with the right soft skills who boosts the value of the workplace is, of course, very important. Asking the right questions during interviews will help establish if the new employees have skills like problem-solving, time management, communication, teamwork, and much more.
How can soft skills be trained?
There are many ways to train and improve the soft skills of employees. Holding workshops for employees, mentoring, and coaching are among a few examples. This will encourage employees to maintain their personal growth, which is helpful not only to them but to the business as well.
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What are Soft Skills? – Final Thoughts
Soft skills are an invaluable asset in the workplace. They help employees better navigate their work environment and perform their jobs to their best abilities. Knowledge and hard skills are important, yes, but knowing how to find the soft skills you are looking for is just as essential when hiring new candidates.
All the very best with finding employees with the perfect soft skills for your business.
