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What Are Soft Skills and Why Do They Matter to Your Job Prospects? (Part 2 of 2)

 

If you’re looking to improve your job prospects, going to college is definitely a great step in the right direction.

However, don’t make the mistake of attending interviews without first understanding the importance of soft skills.

2 More Soft Skills Employers Want Most

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2017 survey, there are 20 soft skills that employers look for when assessing candidates for jobs.

Let’s look at 2 more soft skills that are valuable to employers and how you can prove that you possess them

1. Leadership

Even though you may be applying for an entry-level job, employers are always on the lookout for good leaders. Again, leaders tend to do well solving problems on their own.

However, leaders are also easier to promote, which means avoiding the hassles of looking outside the company to fill management positions.

If you don’t have a leadership position to cite on your resume, your best bet is to share antidotes that show how motivated and persistent you are. You can also mention that your goal is to achieve a leadership position at their company (“Where do you see yourself in five years?” will give you an opportunity).

2. A Strong Work Ethic

This is another soft skill that employers want, yet it can be difficult to prove your work ethic during an interview.

One option is to really go into detail on your resume. Don’t just mention your past jobs. Provide some information about all the demands you met while acting in that position. That will give them a better idea of how hard you work.

You can also mention your work ethic when responding to some of the interviewer’s questions. Instead of just citing it as one of your strengths, though, look for an opportunity to boast about your work ethic in a more indirect way.

As an example, if the interviewer asks you about overcoming a challenge, once again, provide lots of details. Show just how challenging the situation was and explain how you didn’t give up until it was resolved.

Obtain the Soft Skills and Education You Need for a Better Future

Are you looking to improve your job prospects?

If so, we’d love to hear from you. Aside from our programs, we also have a career services department that can help you prepare for job interviews so you effectively show off the soft skills mentioned above.

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