10 soft skills in high demand to boost your career

In terms of experience and skill, you may be exactly what a potential employer is looking for. But if the person interviewing you doesn't think you have the passion and competitive spirit that make their team successful, they won't make you a job offer. In fact, soft skills, such as patience, enthusiasm and respect, are what make a good employee. The skills described in a CV. The skills described on a resume are only part of the story, whereas a person's work ethic, the way they overcome adversity and the way they interact with their peers are more indicative of their success.

The Linkedin Global Talent trends report shows that 92% of HR professionals said that soft skills are considered as important or more important than hard skills. The same study shows that 89% of respondents said that when a new hire doesn't work out, it's because he doesn't have the essential soft skills.

The harsh reality of hard skills is that their lifecycle can be short. Constant innovation, technical updates and new features quickly render many of these skills obsolete. Soft skills, on the other hand, never expire: they are relevant, transferable, and allow a person to remain "highly employable".

With an increasing number of people equipped with cell phones, computer-based job searches are relatively less sought after. The increased presence of smartphones around the world has made them the primary search tool. Now, candidates may want to view your job application while commuting, browsing social media, or having tea. Of course, they'll be looking for a quick and straightforward application process rather than a long and tedious one. It's always best for hiring managers to streamline the application process to make it more adaptable and user-friendly in a high recruitment scenario, in order to get more applications in the inbox.

Emotional intelligence is a person's ability to be aware of the emotions of others and to observe, evaluate and control his or her own emotions. A person's emotional intelligence is also referred to as their EQ (emotional quotient). A person with a high EQ thinks before they speak and act. This person also practices self-reflection and understands their feelings. They do not make decisions, even in anger. When they are worried, they stop and take a step back. They strive to control their emotions, shift gears when necessary, and do not let their emotions interfere with creating excellent work.

Effective communication is both an art and a science - it's not just about getting information from one person to another. A good communicator can express ideas clearly. They can also engage actively and productively. When you communicate effectively, there is little room for misunderstanding. Whether you are sharing your vision with your team or describing the scope of a project, be concise and clear. Your ability to communicate well will forge new relationships, strengthen long-term relationships and enhance your reputation.

Negotiation is one of the most important, yet most underrated soft skills. Under the umbrella of conversation, you will find time management, active listening, accountability and critical thinking.

Identify your priorities and set clear and firm boundaries on what is negotiable and what is not. Always work with the most current and reliable facts when you "enter" the conversation, and consider the source and context of the information. That way, you understand the big picture and can work toward the best outcome.

There is a reason why it is said that "teamwork makes dreams work". A business doesn't work without a team, and an effective team player can achieve success and contribute to a positive environment. Always celebrate the small victories of your team members and give them the glory they deserve. This creates a fun work culture where team members feel recognized, heard and seen. Motivated employees will go the extra mile (or two) and can increase a company's productivity tenfold. Remember that small things are big things. Celebrate your small wins, small projects and small ideas. Don't neglect the little things while pursuing big goals.

Pessimism does not help you build your career. Try to be positively engaged, especially when working with team members to achieve a common goal. A positive attitude will help you move up the corporate ladder faster. Avoid negative thoughts, gossip and complaints. There is no reason to complain. Instead, look at a challenge and think of new ways to solve a problem. A positive person sees possibilities rather than obstacles. Attitude is contagious - and a positive mindset affects your job performance, your job satisfaction and even how others perceive you.

To boost your career, make time management your top priority. Remember that you can't do everything at once (and do it well). Make a list and prioritize your tasks. Divide tasks into "urgent", "important and non-urgent" and "other" categories. Use tools to automate some tasks, delegate others and delete unnecessary tasks. You can also physically block out focus time in your calendar, create checklists and develop templates for specific tasks.

Seek to avoid conflict in your company or, when it is unavoidable, work to resolve it early (before it snowballs into bigger problems). You can apply the communication and negotiation skills I mentioned above to find solutions to conflict - solutions that work for you and the company. Conflict often results from incorrect (or missing) information. Therefore, clear, accurate and timely communication can prevent many workplace conflicts.

Competition is a short-term game, while cooperation leads to a long-term relationship and mutual development. Collaboration leads to deeper relationships, increased creativity and more innovative results. Two minds are better than one, and the creative ideas generated by collaborative brainstorming move a company forward.

In addition, when you collaborate with other team members, you can learn new ways to approach assignments. And you can also learn from each other's mistakes. This sharing of information allows for cross-training within and between teams.

The truth about soft skills is that they are very important. Soft skills are often overlooked because they are difficult to measure, calculate and quantify. Yet, mastering soft skills is essential to navigating today's ever-changing work environment and developing your career. Everyone is rewarded-you, your colleagues, and your organization-when you develop, improve, and practice soft skills over time.

Are you experiencing difficulties in recruiting? Don't wait any longer to get help! A specialized recruitment agency can make the big difference between a successful hire and a failed (or abandoned) hire.

If you are looking for profiles in tension, Molitor International Conseil is the partner you need. Discover our recruitment solutions to find the one that meets your needs !