What Soft Skills Are Most Important in the Workplace?

You might have heard of the term ” hard skills,” which refers to technical, job-specific skills that are often learned through classroom education or on-the-job training. Examples of hard skills include computer literacy or math. In many ways, ” soft skills” are the opposite of hard skills. Whereas hard skills can be taught, soft skills are developed over time through personal experience. Sometimes called ” people skills,” soft skills are all about the way you relate to others in the workplace.

Because nearly every job requires some interaction with people, candidates with good soft skills are highly desired by employers in all types of industries. At the end of the day, having soft skills can help you stand out from the crowd and succeed in your job search!

Employment coach

Here’s a look at a few of the soft skills that employers value most in the workplace:

Positive attitude

Every employer hopes their staff will exhibit positivity and enthusiasm for their jobs. Try to show excitement for the work you do, even when it’s new and challenging. A willingness to take on additional responsibilities will demonstrate your commitment to your role and may lead to more opportunities for you.

Teamwork

All jobs require some level of teamwork and collaboration with others. Creating close relationships with your coworkers will help to improve morale in the workplace and increase overall productivity. Qualities like good communication, active listening, and responsibility can help you develop your teamwork skills.

Patience

They say that patience is a virtue, but it’s also a soft skill that’s important for any job! In the workplace, patience is the ability to handle situations that might involve waiting, delay, or other frustration without becoming upset. Patience can be a difficult soft skill to develop, but with practice, it gets easier. We can all work to have more patience! Experts recommend slowing down, taking deep breaths, and thinking before you speak or react to a situation.

These are just some of the many soft skills that are helpful to have in a workplace environment. Demonstrating these skills will show employers that you’re motivated, passionate, and ready to join their team!

We Put People to Work!

Ohio Valley Goodwill Helps Job Seekers Build Hard and Soft Skills

At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we understand how important it is for job seekers to establish both hard and soft skills to obtain meaningful employment. That’s why, for 100+ years, we’ve provided a wide array of vocational services and programs to help individuals with disabilities and veterans find meaningful employment in the community!

We’re proud to offer job skills training, resume help, career exploration and planning, coaching support, worksite support services, and other related services designed to help job seekers achieve their goals.

Through the power of work, those served by Goodwill receive much more than a paycheck; they gain independence and a sense of great personal fulfillment. We invite you to read about some of the inspiring personal Success Stories of the individuals we serve!

Joining Goodwill’s mission to change lives through the power of work is as easy as donating your gently used belongings! Every time you donate to Ohio Valley Goodwill, you support our job training programs and services for individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans.

Thank you for being a job creator in your community!