Soft skills are those skills that are not tangible, technical or vocational by nature. Soft skills are also called interpersonal skills. A good dynamic set of both technical and soft skills may be what is going to make a difference when employers consider candidates for joining their team. Yet, these skills are often neglected by professionals in many fields, since these professionals quite often focus on the hard skills alone.
Here, we have a look at some of the most common soft skills that are useful in today’s workplace.
Adaptability
An employee with good adaptability skills is able to identify solutions to unforeseen problems. Then, they can make the necessary changes to adapt to the new situation or new environment.
Collaboration
Most employees require their people to work in teams. This implies working and interacting with a variety of different people, different personalities, and different levels within a chain of command. In such cases, the ability to apply skills like verbal communication and body language as well as demonstrating a solid character and personality are crucial.
Communication
Communication skills are pretty much linked to being successful in team environments. Yet, many candidates underestimate the importance of brushing up their communication skills since they believe their technical skills are the only ones that matter in their profession.
Being an adequate speaker, writer and listener is important in most careers, where clarity and understanding are required for completing teamwork projects. Public speaking and making presentations are less commonplace, but great skills to have, particularly in trade shows and conferences.
Attention to detail
Having an eye for spotting a small detail that, if unnoticed, can cause the employer financial or other losses is a valuable soft skill for any career candidate to possess.
Creative thinking
Here is where thinking-outside-the-box becomes essential. Creative thinking is a skill required by many jobs across different industries. Finding ways to apply existing knowledge in a new and creative way can take you further in any career. Creative thinking is a soft skill that more hard-skilled professions like engineers and others in the STEM field should cultivate to become truly valuable as both a team member and as a leader.
Leadership
Delegating tasks, managing teams of people, and coordinating complex projects are going to be on your everyday list as a leader. To become a top leader, therefore, implies that you need to master as many soft skills as leadership requires.
What kind of soft skills do you think you need to cultivate and advance your career?
Source: Edited from original article https://interestingengineering.com/engineers-should-master-soft-skills-for-a-successful-career
