Soft skills are an essential part of every job; be it a customer care representative or company’s CEO, the right set of soft skills sets you apart. Transitioning into a new position or getting promoted in a current job, these essential interpersonal skills will help you make or break on new opportunities ahead.
Companies are hiring candidates who have both interpersonal and people-oriented skills. Workplaces are different, human resource managers are not focused locally but prefer people who can work well with others and have the ability to emerge in culturally diverse environments.
The top 6 most in-demand soft skills are:
Creativity:
Same as the year 2019 on the LinkedIn list of top soft-skills, Creativity still holds the number one position. Organizations need people who can approach various tasks creatively and offer innovative solutions. Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to manage unexpected challenges ranks at the top during hiring process.
Adaptability:
Businesses are changing, and applicants need to adapt to these changes. Flexibility and willingness to learn is crucial. Professionals who are ready to try new things and handle crossovers in profiles are sought after. Professionalism, positive attitude, and ability to handle challenging situations is a plus.
Emotional Intelligence:
Emotional intelligence (EI), also known as emotional quotient, is the ability to understand, manage, and positively use emotions. EI can help build stronger relationships and improve your personal approach to working with others. Self-management and social awareness help you identify power dynamics in a group or organization.
Collaboration:
Companies prefer candidates who fit in self-organizing teams. Collaboration as a skill is essential to support unique contributions every team member brings. Your strengths should complement the overall team structure.
Persuasion:
‘Why’ is more important than how or what of businesses. Individuals who explain and effectively communicate their ideas to the stakeholders are valued. From college presentation to a sales pitch to a potential buyer, persuasion skills are essential for success.
Empathy:
We work in complex environments, along with people from different cultures, believes, and orientations. As a leader and effective manager, strong empathy towards people is essential. Your teammates should be able to open up and speak their mind. Trust
These soft skills are crucial in an evolving work environment, however you should invest time in understanding which skill set you have and which you need to focus on to develop more. The right set of soft skills will help you grow faster in any business setting.