Master These Soft Skills & Rise to the Top

You’re in the thick of acquiring those hard skills that make you a contender in your field, but to rise above the competition it’s the soft skills you’ll need to recognize, master and highlight.

According to a “Wall Street Journal survey of nearly 900 executives … 92% said soft skills were equally important or more important than technical skills. But 89% said they have a very or somewhat difficult time finding people with the requisite attributes.”

This is great news for those who’ve been complimented in their lives for characteristics they didn’t realize were in demand – being amazing at organizing people or events, a stickler for the details, adaptable, a compassionate communicator and able to think outside that proverbial box. Guess what? Those soft skills have the ability to set you up for success. Now the trick is just knowing which ones to master and highlight on your resume, allowing potential employers to see you in the best-candidate light.

What Exactly Are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are the characteristics or personality traits that determine how a person relates to life and all its varied situations and people. Beyond our technical know-how, these are the attributes that allow us to manage time and our behaviour, adapt to change and effectively connect with others.

We have never been more aware of how soft skills are connected to our ability to succeed than now. When the world went online, shifted work environments and there was a need to deal with career, family and life under exceedingly stressful circumstances, those who mastered soft skills not only survived but thrived.

Many of these core skills can come naturally; some of us need an upgrade. Through online learning or even via a private college in Ontario experience, you can cultivate your skills. But which ones do you focus on to gain the competitive advantage as you take your first, or second career, to new levels?

In-Demand Soft Skills to Master for Success

1. Time Management

In a world where the competitive advantage belongs to those who can tackle multiple projects, opportunities and challenges at once, time management is king/queen. Using time efficiently and knowing how to set goals, plan, organize and prioritize – and demonstrate how you’ve done this with specific examples in an interview – bolsters success in the job hunt and life.

2. Emotional Intelligence & Teamwork

The ability to recognize, identify and manage our own emotions and understand and work with the emotions of others, shifts us from good to great. Our EQ (emotional quotient) is even more important that our IQ. When we connect well with others by engaging authentically, professionally and personally, and cultivate relationships over time, we are never alone. And when our own intelligence can’t get the job done solo, we can count on those relationships to see us through in the pinch – as is the case with the study of star performers at Bell Labs shared by Dan Goleman.

3. Communication

The ability to share, ideas and feelings professionally and effectively is powerful, essential, and at the very core of success. This includes active listening and verbal, written, presentation, and constructive feedback skills. The foundation for all other soft skills, you want to take the time to understand and master communication.

4. Adaptability

We live in an ever-changing world and the work environment is no exception. Our ability to adjust to change and embrace it, is a key marker for success. In this we need to remain calm, be optimistic, analyse situations effectively, self manage and be self motivated.

5. Lifelong, Enthusiastic Learning

A commitment to continual evolution, personally and professionally, demonstrates our ability to flow and grow with future expectations of the job and deal with whatever comes our way, with gusto.

6. Critical and Analytical Thinking

With advancements in various fields happening at breakneck speeds, a day-to-day ability to think on our feet, see the big picture, operate outside ‘the box’, see potential problems and identify potential solutions, will fuel our success.

7. Strong Work Ethic

Employers are constantly seeking those they can truly count on – to show up on time and work diligently, who passionately understand and support the company’s mission and are aware of, and committed to, contributing to something larger than themselves.

Take the “Anderson College Career Discovery Quiz”

How to Highlight Your Stellar Soft Skills

Now, the trick is to take all these incredible skills you’ve developed in various roles and experiences in your life and communicate them in a way that allows you to uniquely shine and get that interview and, ultimately, that dream job.

First, review your jobs of the past and find examples of how you’ve demonstrated these soft skills. Next, make sure they are written in highlight form in your resume. Then write those examples and experiences out in full, read, and internalize them. Create a mock-up of potential interview questions and make sure you highlight, not just the hard, technical, skills you bring to the table, but these skills that relay the truth – you are the most dedicated, efficient, hard working, adaptable, enthusiastic team player they could possibly hire!

Whether you’re in the process of exploring college courses in Toronto, finding ‘a college near me’ or have completed your education and are launching into your career-search adventure – highlighting these in-demand soft skills can give you the advantage you’re looking for.

If you’re already an Anderson College student and need help putting these soft skills to work for your job search, remember to contact our Career Services team to assist you!

If you’re looking to expand your educational journey, explore our 30+ programs to help you take life to the next level of success. Book a virtual appointment with our Admissions team today!

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Anderson College – programs page
• 10 skills you need to land a top job in 2022, according to Glassdoor (cnbc.com)
• Top Soft Skills for 2022 [90+ Examples for Your Resume] (novoresume.com)
• Emotional Intelligence | Psychology Today
• Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman | (wordpress.com)