Different jobs require different skills. Aside from technical skills, there’s something that employers and your bosses want and look for in you: soft skills. And with the rapid development of technology making it possible for artificial intelligence to replace some of the technical jobs in the market, the need for soft skills is steadily growing. The good news is, not only can get you hired, but it can also boost your career. We list down the soft skills you need to boost your career below!
The Soft Skills You Need To Boost Your Career
Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is a universal job skill. It applies to any position in every industry. Also, based on data from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network (O*NET), problem-solving, especially complex problem solving, is associated with positions that are highly valued and rewarded occupations such as chief executives.
It’s not enough to just have a specific set of technical skills. Problem-solving, which involves critical thinking, will give you a distinct edge both in a management job and in other positions within your company. This can be developed.
You can hone your problem-solving skills by practicing brainstorming activities, work out your brain with logic puzzles or games, etc. Learn how to read and analyze information and encourage what-ifs to open your brain to more solutions.
Public Speaking
Public speaking is one of the most common fears in the world. Who wouldn’t be nervous when you have to speak in front of an audience, right? Even experienced speakers feel some nervousness and anxiety when they have to do it. However, when you do nothing about your public speaking anxiety, it can lead to a lack of success.
Improving your public speaking skills is one way to boost your career. We have previously listed some ways to improve your public speaking skills. Make sure that when you have to speak publicly, make sure that you know your audience, prepare, organize, practice, and be authentic!
Collaboration and Team Playing
Humans are fiercely independent creatures, but organizations nowadays need collaboration and cohesive teams. As said by Steve Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc., “Great things in business are never done by one person; they are done by a team of people.” This means that collaboration and team playing are soft skills you need to boost your career.
Writing Skills
The ability to write effectively in the workplace is important. After all, not only do you communicate verbally with your colleagues and clients, you also communicate with them in emails, letters, etc. And to be able to express clearly your message to your intended recipient, you need to have good and effective writing skills.
An article in Business World lists down ten reasons why business writing skills are so important.
- Writing skills ensure effective business communication.
- Writing skills make the difference between “good” and “bad” employees.
- You demonstrate your intelligence
- Good writers are credible
- You can be more influential
- Business writing conveys courtesy
- Writing skills help to keep good records
- You boost your professional confidence
- You promote yourself and your career
- Business writing builds a solid web presence
You may use these tips to improve your business writing.
Leadership Skills
Organizations don’t just need workers, they also need leaders. And as time passes, there will be inevitable changes in ranks, prompting companies to look for future leaders. This is what makes leadership skills important. There’s a big difference between a leader and a manager. Just because you’re a manager doesn’t mean that you’re also a leader.
Moving to a higher position, especially if you’re a rank and file employee and is aiming for a supervisory level position, will certainly require leadership skills.
Technical skills, while important, are not everything you need to ensure success. Soft skills such as problem-solving, collaboration and team playing, writing, public speaking, and leadership help you boost your career and sets you apart from your competition!
