Contrary to the beliefs of most career-seekers, it’s not only about raw technical abilities when it comes to obtaining that awesome job – in fact, it can be argued that there would be little reason to interview candidates at all if that were the case.

 Rather, research has indicated that “soft skills” – that is, the ability to work well with others, solve problems and communicate cohesively – are actually more important to focus on in order to achieve success than most job hunters think.

Why Soft Skills are In Demand:

• A study published by the American Psychological Association suggests that management personnel prefer candidates who they deem friendly and personable more so than those who tend to be “self-promotional” (though they note that a combination of the two is most likely ideal).
• Research published in the Journal of Education for Business reveals that managers place special emphasis on analytical and communication abilities when considering an employee for a certain position.

Now the question becomes, How can soft skills be improved…and which ones matter the most on today’s burgeoning employer scene?

Adaptability

Adaptability refers to the ability to mold to different environments and personalities; while some believe, quite mistakenly, that to change in response to the conditions of a situation or an unwillingness to compromise is a sign of weakness (or a lack of conviction), the reality is that the ability to compromise, adapt to change and still thrive are keys to success in the fast-paced work landscapes of today. Indeed, change can be frightening for many, but learning adaptability and flexing as needed is an investment worth making.

Problem Solving

It’s often said “That’s what life is…a series of problems.” And, in many ways, that’s true – it's normal to experience problems from time to time, with some being large and complicated and others easier to solve. On the job, there’s no shortage of challenges and issues that can pop up, and having the necessary skills to focus and identify solutions to problems is one of the primary skills that employers look for in a worker.

Problem solving (and “critical thinking”) describes the ability to use knowledge, facts and data to solve problems effectively; still, this doesn’t mean there has to be an immediate definite answer – it means an employee must be able to focus, think on his or her feet, assess problems, find solutions and ultimately experience success.

AimHire Top Tip: The ability to develop a well-thought-out problem solving solution within a reasonable time frame is one of the skills that are in demand by employers.

Written/Verbal Communication

Among the soft skills that are in demand, one of the most important to possess as a professional is the ability to communicate effectively – a trait that, unfortunately, has been declining in too many sectors as of late what with an overtly young, mobile device-connected demographic entering the workforce and other factors that suggest little to no practical hands-on skills. Workers have to know how to focus, what to say, how to say it and when/where to say it…and perhaps when it’s best to say nothing at all.

What new-to-the-workplace types are grappling with is that speaking in person with someone is not the same as speaking to them over the phone, or via video chat; indeed, all communication is not the same, especially in the digital world. Here’s what job-seekers today need to understand: There may be communication with an internal representative, like colleagues or a manager, or external contacts and partners, but what might be said to a fellow designer or developer is not what would be said to a paying client outside of the company.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution basically refers to the ability to persuade, negotiate and resolve conflicts, which is critical if the employee’s plan is to be promoted. Further, the ability to negotiate a win-win conflict resolution to serve the best interests of the organization and the individuals involved is paramount; at any rate, the power of conflict resolution shouldn't be underestimated.

Emotional Intelligence

Interviewers have begun to analyze a candidate’s emotional intelligence as of late, which refers to one’s own emotions and the emotions of others; at times, interviewers assess emotional intelligence through written, psychologically-based tests while at other times they simply ask particular questions to determine EI. Here’s the scoop: If an employee boasts high emotional intelligence, he or she is more likely to be able to express his or her emotions in a constructive manner while understanding the emotions of fellow employees (the term “empathy” comes to mind here), thus enhancing working relationships and performance.

Willingness to Accept Feedback and Change

Okay, so by now it should be understood that soft skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and adaptability are all necessary for employees to exhibit if he or she wants to achieve success. Interestingly, when one looks around his or her own office, it is normally easy to spot those employees lacking soft skills – these are the folks usually not keen on accepting any kind of change, the managers unable to properly guide subordinates and those routinely upset about one thing or another (whether this be in their professional or personal life).

Here’s the essence about everything having to do with soft skills that are in demand in the workplace: These can’t be leaned by just reading about them. They have to be learned through a process of change that can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, but which can have dramatic effects on a company's bottom line.