Tag Archive for: Soft Skills

7 Important Soft Skills to Have for Success

Did you know that 85% of career success is determined by soft skills?

No matter what career you have, both hard skills and soft skills are essential for success. Most people believe that all you need is expertise in your line of work to prosper; however, success will come much quicker if you have both. Soft skills, which are defined as core skills that serve as a guide for interacting effectively and performing efficiently, are especially valuable as they are desired across all professions and can be applied to any area of life. Here is a list of soft skills that often get overlooked, but if practiced can help you on your roadmap to career progression.

1. Brevity

This means having the ability to make things clear and concise without getting too wordy. With busy days and short attention spans, if you have the ability to be brief when you’re speaking to someone, you are more likely to acquire the answers you seek. People have an easier time listening and comprehending when things are communicated in small doses. Being brief also shows that you are conscious of other people’s time.

2. Clarity

In line with being brief, the ability to be clear is another invaluable attribute that one can possess. Whether you’re giving instructions, delivering a message, or trying to negotiate a deal; the more clear you are, the more persuasive and credible you will be. Being able to articulate a point seamlessly and in a way everyone can understand keeps people on the same page and enables people to see the bigger picture and the reasons behind decisions and procedures in the workplace.

3. Confidence

People admire those who are confident, plain and simple. The ability to stand behind your decisions without second guessing yourself, speak with ease and conviction, and take initiative without seeking prior approval gives you the appearance of a leader. If you carry yourself with confidence, you’ll notice that colleagues come to you for advice and that management will trust you to take on more projects and leadership roles.

4. Perception

Although this one can be one of the most challenging skills to obtain, if you choose to work on it, it will be more than worth it. The ability to read a room or read someone’s vibe without them having to say anything will give you the opportunity to course-correct situations and maybe even pleasantly surprise people. It is also a good indicator or when and how to approach someone with a question or important conversation.

5. Negotiation

Wherever you go, there are going to be people you work with who have different opinion, styles, and processes than you. This doesn’t mean that you should hold back on sharing your own ways, for all you know, they will be receptive to them. The ability to negotiate can be a win-win for all and can change the game for you and all involved in sales, deadlines, scheduling, and more.

6. Open to Feedback

No matter how proficient you are at what you do, there are always going to be areas for improvement. Sometimes you may not even realize that the way you’re doing something could be improved. When people give you constructive criticism or suggest that you go back to the drawing board, there is no reason to take it personally. New/different ways of doing things are often in the greatest good of the organization and all involved.

7. Conflict Resolution

Whether it’s a disagreement with someone you work with or a problem you or the company has never faced before, the ability to resolve efficiently is crucial. This happens when someone has the ability to remain objective and uses logic to process situations instead of emotion. The ability to resolve conflicts makes you more approachable and trustworthy to those around you.

If you or someone you know is looking for a new job, we at Award are here to help. Check out our newest job opportunities here.

Top 7 Transferrable Qualities Employers Look for in Candidates

Regardless of the company, position, or pay rate; there are certain qualities that every employer looks for in the hiring process as well as when someone is on-boarded. Technical skills will get you recognized right away, but hiring managers know that soft skills have a big influence on the environment of a workplace and how it runs. If you are a contingent employee or have recently been hired by a company with a probation period, demonstrating these qualities are sure to make your employer consider you for a permanent position on their team. Developing these 7 qualities will help you excel in your career no matter what path you decide to go down.

 

1. Dependability

Although this list is in no particular order, there is a reason that dependability is at the top. No matter who your employer is, or what industry you’re in, dependability is inarguably the most important attribute a candidate and/or employee can have. In order for a company to be successful, work needs to get done and get done in a timely manner. Being a person that your manager and colleagues can count on to show up on time, deliver, drive results, and keep your word will make you a highly respected member of your organization. Make sure to include this trait on your résumé, discuss it during your interview, and follow through while on the job.

2. Communication Skills

Communication is important to both the employer and the employee. In order to run a smooth operation, everybody must be on the same page. Effective communication is important from all angles: verbal, physical, and written. There are many different areas to cover when it comes to communication. Verbally this means communicating your needs and expectations, clarification if you or someone else doesn’t understand something, and letting those around you know if you are going to be in at a different time than usual or out of the office on a specific day. Physically, this could mean having good posture and looking someone in the eyes when they are speaking to you. In a more manual labor based environment it could mean to let your team know if you moved equipment or to practice proper signaling protocols when on something like an assembly line. When it comes to emails or instant messages, be sure to be thorough with your questions and explanations and always double check for spelling and grammatical errors.

 

3. Work Ethic

To have good work ethic is to set your own standard of excellence. This is all-encompassing and goes for everything from how you dress to using your time wisely. It begins with being on time to your shift and ensuring that you are dressed appropriately. Depending on the position, this could mean being dressed crisp and professionally or wearing clothes that make it easy to maneuver heavy objects. It also goes for how you speak and interact with the people around you. Essentially, it means to maintain balance in every area. You can ensure you do these things by taking care of yourself. Eating proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, and giving yourself permission to recharge when you need to.

 

4. Problem-Solving Skills

There’s nothing that shows a manager more initiative than finding solutions to issues that arise before going to them about it. It’s important that you are able to make your own decisions as this shows a level of expertise in your area. Having the ability to handle issues in a positive manner will make you a valuable asset to any team as problems arise in every workplace across all industries. It will show that you are a leader despite what position you’re in and demonstrates a number of competencies including resilience, critical thinking, and resolve.

 

5. Teamwork

Not every position requires collaboration, but no matter what job you have, you will be working with others in some capacity. Whether that’s taking direction from a manager, having conference calls with other members of the company, or working on your part of a project before passing it on to someone else, everyone must have a common goal and the company’s best interest in mind. Like the quote goes, “one team, one dream”; hiring managers want to bring on people who are agreeable. List this as a skill on your résumé, and then give specific examples on your cover letter and in your interview.

 

6. Open-Mindedness

Especially when you’re new to a company, even in a similar position, there will be systems and procedures they do differently than your previous company. A willingness to try things, to see other people’s perspectives, and to be adaptable shows that you will be a pleasant person to work with. Considering that environments change and evolve on a regular basis, showing open-mindedness will give your employer the confidence that you will leave your comfort zone when the time calls for it.

 

7. Self-Management

In today’s workforce, culture and environment are everything. Despite how good the pay is or how well-known and prestigious the company is, people want to know that they are walking into a place they can feel comfortable. That means it is each person’s individual responsibility to have control over their thoughts, feelings, and actions. This contributes to the overall success of a workplace, because it results in a harmonious atmosphere and higher productivity levels. Each person will have their own style of self-management and personal responsibility; therefore it is important to know what works for you in a variety of situations that may arise.

Each of these traits is something that you will want to demonstrate from the beginning, starting with your cover letter and résumé, discussing it in your interview, and then demonstrating your abilities throughout your time at a company. Being able to make these qualities a part of your personal brand, is sure to lead you to success in your career.

If you are looking for a new job, be sure to check out our newest opportunities here.

Can’t Find the Jobs in Minneapolis that You Want?

Plain and simple – being rejected while you look for work in Minnesota hurts. In many situations, job seekers spend time feeling angry and offended about not receiving a specific job. All too often in the job hunt, neglecting to reflect why you were not chosen for a new job ultimately means you’re missing out on an opportunity for personal growth.

Taking a moment to reflect can allow you to be more effective the next time when applying for a job. If you have been rejected for jobs that you’re clearly capable of holding, below are a few tips and trick for improving your chances the next time you apply for a job in Minnesota.

Showcasing Your “Essential Skills” –

Traditionally, when submitting your resume companies in the Twin Cities wouldn’t even look at your resume unless they have the required abilities to perform the job. If you do have the desire skills needed for the job the key is to clearly, list them out on your job application to have the best chance of grabbing the hiring manager’s interest.

But a more significant miss by job seekers in the Twin Cities is failing to prove that they have the ideal Essential Skills for the job. This intern can lead companies to skip your resume. A recent study revealed that a job seeker Essential Skills account for 85 percent of an individual’s success at their job. The results are that Minnesota based companies are currently spending more time measuring these skills.

Do you feel that your resume never makes it to the intended person? It is best that you take some time and review its content to find out if you’re currently discussing your past work experience in addition to your Essential Skills. If not, then it is time to get a resume overhaul.

Which “Essential Skills” to Show on Your Resume –

While every job is different, even if the position titles are similar, the specific skills are universal. If you are not currently finding explicit references the employer is looking for, consider including details. In most circumstances, Minnesota companies are going to have two priorities: communication and teamwork.

Communication:

Pretty much any job that you will have in your life will require you to be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and written, with other team members, company leaders, or most importantly with customers. In your job search, it is crucial that you know how to manage these interactions if you want your application to stand out.

Teamwork:

Collaboration with your co-workers is vital to your success, your co-workers, and most important the businesses. Hiring Managers want to see if you can prove that you can support your co-workers in achieving group goals. Showing that you can work well and active collaborator in groups in a work environment is critical.

Flexibility and Positivity:

If you are born and raised in Minnesota, you know what “Minnesota Nice” is. What most people don’t tell you about Minnesota Nice is about being flexible –  an ability to adapt in changing and fast-paced work environments. Minnesota based companies always want to embrace the notion of Minnesota Nice – having a positive attitude goes a long way because companies don’t want to hire someone who is consistently negative or general pessimistic.

We get it, a number of these Essential Skills are subjective, offering examples and during your interview which reveals how you use these traits in your job search can help you stick out to any company around the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.

If you are seeking a new job opportunity, the professionals at Award Staffing can connect you with top employers in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. Contact us to see how our current Light Industrial job openings can help you land a new job in Minnesota fast. Looking for other ways to learn When Work Works – visit our blog