Here’s a secret! During your interview, potential employers are looking for two sets of skills – hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are recognizable skills that are easy to measure or quantify. They are skills that are relatively easy to teach. Your resume and cover letter are great places to show your hard skills. Examples of hard skills include:
- Operating machinery
- Software proficiency
- Accounting
- A degree or certificate
- Event Management
- Computer programming
- Proofreading/editing
Soft skills are personal characteristics that help you a person become a successful employee. Soft skills are often referred to as “people skills” or “interpersonal skills” because they describe the way you relate to and interact with other people. Soft skills allow us to apply our technical skills and knowledge to complete tasks more effectively and efficiently. They are transferable between occupations. Traits such as “team player,” “excellent organizational skills,” and “strong communication skills,” are listed on any number of job announcements or position descriptions.
It is much more difficult to train employees in soft skills. Soft skills are harder to measure and quantify because they are subjective. Examples of other soft skills include:
- Attentive
- Assertive
- Cooperative
- Critical Thinker
- Dependable
- Empathetic
- Entrepreneurial Thinking
- Flexible
- Follow Instructions
- Functions Well Under Pressure
- Intercultural Competence
- Leadership Skills
- Patience
- Positive Work Ethic
- Problem-solver
- Punctual
- Reliable
- Resilient
- Results-oriented
- Self-directed
- Technology Savvy
- Troubleshooter
- Willing to Accept Feedback
- Willingness to Learn
If you need new strategies to help you land the job of your dreams contact me to schedule your 45 minute Get Hired Strategy Session. Let’s work together to develop creative solutions to your employment challenges and any special circumstances you may be encountering. My Get Hired Strategy Sessions allow you 45 minutes of uninterrupted productivity with me to help you develop new perspectives and get unstuck, discover a fresh dose of enthusiasm, and gain a new cheerleader on your job search team.
Let me help you Get Hired!
Nicki Sanders, Chief Visionary Officer of Packaged For Success, helps both youth and adults discover their personal power, dream big, and achieve success on their own terms. Ms. Sanders is an experienced trainer, group facilitator, and program manager who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Ms. Sanders has over fifteen years of direct experience with diverse populations in residential, school-based, and community based agencies.
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