A soft skill is a non-technical attribute that helps shape your personal traits. More people are realizing the importance of having a soft skill or two in their resume. Whether you heard it from a more experienced friend or received feedback from a potential employer, learning a soft skill makes a big difference in your marketability. It’s important to be able to list a set of soft skills you can perform during an interview. So, the question should be, which soft skill is good for me? Here are some tips on picking a soft skill.
1. Know Your Strengths And Weaknesses
We have strengths and weaknesses which we can improve on. Being aware of them will help you pick a soft skill that will be of benefit to you. Picking soft skills based on your strengths will help enhance your personality. Additionally, picking soft skills based on your weakness will help turn them into strengths.
2. Prioritize
It’s easy to get sidetracked by the number of soft skills available. You should know which ones to learn immediately based on your career and employment requirements. Some of the most desirable skills include communication skills, analytical skills, interpersonal skills and teamwork. Make a list of which skills you need to work on then start from there.
3. Tie To Real World Application
There are many soft skills to learn like time management, analysis and problem-solving skills. All these are applicable in the real world. However, finding a useful soft skill in the real world not only makes you a more suitable candidate but also it boosts your confidence. For instance, as a marketer, learning communication skills will help you articulate yourself better hence enhancing your ability to make more sales.
4. Find Resources
Before settling on a soft skill to learn, read more on why such skills are important and which ones are most suitable to your career. From online materials to books, you can get numerous useful advice and insights to help you make a more intelligent decision. They also help you understand ways of developing such skills in an ever-changing world. Education: 5 Short Courses You Can Take On Coursera
5. Do Internships Or Volunteer
Not everything can be learned in a classroom. Some soft skills are learned through experience. While you figure out which soft skill to add to your resume, you can take up an internship opportunity where you can also learn some workforce skills. The internship doesn’t have to be specific to what you studied in university. A soft skill applies to any work environment. 8 Things You Can Do While In Transition From Campus Into The Job Market
6. Consult Your Mentor
A mentor is basically anyone you look up to, career-wise. They are in a prominent position and better suited to tell you which soft skills are marketable and which aren’t. Your mentor also knows you personally. Therefore, they know which skills you will excel at if you took them up. if you don’t have a mentor, you could consult your employer. Career: 8 Steps To Finding A Perfect Mentor + Infographic
Check out 6 Reasons You Need To Learn Skills Outside Your Job
