When choosing between two equal candidates, organizations emphasize soft skills as an important differentiator. Indeed, according to the LinkedIn Global Talent Trends Report, 92% of professionals who acquire talent report that soft skills are more important to hiring than hard skills. And, indeed, a LinkedIn Workplace Learning report puts soft skills at the top of education priorities for 59% of US HR managers who believe it is difficult to find candidates with the right soft skills.
Soft skills such as communication and collaboration, critical thinking, flexibility, learning and problem solving, creativity and innovation, emotional intelligence, and time management are among the top skills and skill groups that will become more important globally by 2025. The presence of such a large number of soft skills on this list is intriguing, as soft skills are often perceived as worse than hard skills. Hard skills are specific to a person’s role in their company, but soft skills are necessary to succeed in any role.
According to a McKinsey report, soft skills are in demand in the modern labor market and demand will continue to rise until 2030. Soft skills are linked to higher incomes and jobs than they used to be, according to a new report. Soft skills are increasingly in demand with millions of people working from home and many others moving to new careers.
Communication And Collaboration
Employers are always seeking candidates with strong communication abilities, but as remote work becomes more common, communication skills will be in great demand. Strong communication skills are more important than ever now that most communication is done through emails, chats, video, or phone conference calls. Now that you know the soft skills that are most in-demand, it is time to explain them to the hiring managers. Show your soft skills in collaboration by showing your ability to work well with team members on your CV.
Critical Thinking
Soft skills include your ability to plan, organize and manage your tasks. Some of the most important professional skills for employees and employers require soft skills and they can be more crucial than you think for your job search and overall career. Soft skills, also known as behavioral and interpersonal skills, are skills that range from the ability to communicate effectively with others to critical thinking.
Flexibility
IT professionals are frequently confronted with setbacks or unexpected changes, which can range from a technical issue with their project to a last-minute vendor issue. You must learn to be adaptable, accept changes, and look for innovative solutions right away. This flexibility will be appreciated by employers. Whether it’s from an employer or a client, you must be receptive to recommendations and criticisms. Pay close attention to any comments you receive and be willing to make any changes necessary to boost satisfaction.
Learning And Problem Solving Skills
For years, global giants such as Google and Amazon have emphasized that soft skills such as learning and problem-solving are key to a successful career in these companies. Soft skills include interpersonal communication skills and the ability to be creative and look at problems from multiple angles.
Creativity And Innovation
Creativity is not just for designers and artists and it is important to have soft skills that help you bring innovation to your job. The planning and implementation of projects as well as general tasks themselves are other effective soft skills. Organizing requires soft skills for all types of jobs, whether you are leading a team or leading a project. Soft skills offer a competitive advantage in one of the most innovative technology companies in the world, so imagine what soft skills can do for your business. In both periods of crisis and recovery, creativity and innovation are recognized and required.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is yet another soft talent that has gained significant significance in 2021. As we try to deal with the pandemic, we’re experiencing a lot of stress, grief, and frustration. Having the ability to sense your coworkers’ emotions and act with compassion is critical in a variety of situations, from new work-from-home obstacles to missing loved ones or other pandemic concerns.
According to one survey, 71% of employers favor emotional intelligence over IQ in employees, and 75% are more inclined to promote someone with a higher EQ (emotional quotient) than someone with a higher IQ.
Time Management
Time management refers to the ability to organize your schedule on a daily and weekly basis in order to complete jobs on time and efficiently. The ability to work from home might save time by eliminating commutes on both ends of the day, but it may also add a lot of distractions. Hiring managers will be on the lookout for candidates who can manage their time and accomplish assignments on time. It is your responsibility to create a schedule that works for both you and your team.
The Bottom Line
Despite the importance of these skills, there is still a shortage of qualified applicants with the soft skills employers need. Consider your soft skills to be complements to your technical training. They cannot qualify you for a job on their own, but when combined with good credentials, they can make you a far more appealing prospect. Keep in mind how 2021 has transformed the playing field as you examine your soft skills, and highlight those that will help you flourish in the “new normal” work climate.
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Originally published at Upstack.co on Oct 25, 2021, by Sheetal Munjal.
