Do you have the top soft skills that employers are looking for? In a nutshell, soft skills are non-technical and transferrable skills. Soft skills are interpersonal and productivity skills that involve working with people. No matter what position you hold, industry or sector that you that work in, you will need soft skills to be perform effectively in the organisation. Whereas hard skills are essential technical skills that required to carry the duties for specific job.
There is a saying that your technical skills (hard skills) to get you the job interview, but it is soft skills that will land you job offer and help to perform at high level in the job.
Soft skill are valued by employers. Soft skills are necessary to effectively work with customers and carry out project work that involves group participation. Over the next two weeks I am going to look at three essential soft skills that are crucial for career success. The ability to communicate effectively to people at all levels will determine the success in your career - from the customer, CEO, support staff, building attendants and your colleagues. Today I am going dive into the three elements of the communication skill: active listening, verbal, non-verbal and written.
Active Listening
Active listening involves listening to individuals without interrupting to ensure people feel they are being heard, valued, and understood. When we listen carefully, we learn to understand the other person’s viewpoint. It is important to listen first even though you may disagree with the other person. Try not to plan what you are going to say next while the other person is speaking as this might impact on whether you receive the full message. According to Steven Covey, the author of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit Five: “seek first to understand, then to be understood”
Verbal Communication
We are not always aware of how our voice comes across to others. You can use a recorder on your phone to find out. Do you speak slowly, clearly, at the right volume and pronounce words distinctly? We work in a global environment and communicating effectively with international customers and colleagues is a huge asset.
According to Alex Lyon, Communication Coach, "long windedness is the key enemy of good communication". He highlights that some chatty people assume they are good communicators, but this presents a poor image in a professional setting.
Non-Verbal Communication.
55% of a message is communicated through non-verbal language. Are you self-aware of your body language? This includes facial expression, gestures, tone, and pitch of voice. The tone and pitch of your voice can impact on how a message is understood by others. especially when on telephone with clients.
Written Communication
Emails and business documents should be written clearly and concisely. Avoid jargon or slang. The simpler and more direct the language used, the greater chance the message will be understood by the receiver. The ability to explain complex information to others so that it is clearly understand builds strong relationships and increases the customer satisfaction.
It is clear why communication is a crucial soft skill. There is a great deal of evidence that suggests that those individuals with strong communication skills generally receive more job offers and earn higher salaries than those with poor communication skills. Communication is also an important life skill to develop beyond your career.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Soft skills get little respect but they will make or break your career” – Peggy Klaus, author - The Hard Truth About Soft Skills
Drop me an email sandra@purpletransitionspersonalgrowth.co.uk. If you have been searching for a job for a while and have not had any success or you would like some support, book a free consultation, email sandra@purpletransitionspersonalgrowth.co.uk
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