Editor’s Note: This is week four of our five week series on job search buzzwords.
What are soft skills?
Dictionary definition: personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.
Our definition: desirable qualities that you can’t learn in a classroom.
How do I show an employer I have soft skills?
Soft skills are important to your success as an employee. They’re the qualities you’ve learned through life experiences. Employers value these skills as much, or more, than the specific teachable abilities you need to perform a job like welding or programming (hard skills).
Examples of soft skills include:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Flexibility
- Patience
- Time management
During a job interview, employers may ask you situational questions like:
Give an example of a time when you had a conflict with a team member?
Your response is a perfect opportunity to showcase your soft skills:
- You spoke rationally with the coworker about the problem (illustrates good communication skills).
- You changed a process in your daily routine to help make theirs a little easier (highlights your flexibility).
- You value harmony in your team because you know you’ll be more efficient if everyone is getting along (shows you’re a team player).
Employers want to know they’re hiring a person who will do their job well but also has the ability to work with other team members, is reliable and represents the company well.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
