6 soft skills that still impress employers in 2022

It’s no secret that in 2022, the soft skills that employers value in new hires will be vastly different from those preferred in 2012. But while hard skills like machine learning, business analytics, and touch-typing are important, employers are still looking for some personal attributes in up-and-coming employees. Those that enable them to navigate their work environment, collaborate with others, perform well, and achieve their goals with complementing hard skills.

Employees with such traits are often the glue that holds an organization together. They are often the people who mediate between individuals and teams when there are arguments or clashes, in the interest of keeping everyone motivated and productive. Here’s the roundup of the top 10 things employers want from candidates, and how applicants can display those soft skills during their job searches.

1. Problem solving

Having the ability to use your knowledge to find answers to pressing problems and formulate workable solutions will demonstrate that you can handle – and excel in – your job. A good employee doesn’t try to keep problems from his or her employer. What that shows is a lack of experience and an inability to think on your feet. Use problems as opportunities to demonstrate that you can think quickly and solve pressing problems. Being able to apply this soft skill in various scenarios successfully is what separates the best from the rest.

2. Interpersonal communication

Good interpersonal communication is vital across every aspect of the business. You should be able to use this soft skill to address and engage an audience, as well as show your understanding of a subject when you’re in a meeting or being interviewed.

The most effective communicators present their ideas clearly, efficiently, and with consideration for the audience. The harder thing to prove is that you are not just a good talker, but an effective listener too. it’s not just the ability to communicate your thoughts and experiences effectively to other people, it’s also the ability to listen to what they’re saying to you, and critically understand their needs. Those who exhibit proficiency in this regard are usually handpicked for senior management positions in the future.

3. Leadership

Leadership skills are not just relevant to senior-level staff. They are a must-have across all levels of management and business. Many organizations see the benefits of promoting leadership development because they know that investing in certain employees is equivalent to investing in the company’s future. It is because these employees will use that knowledge and experience to level up the business.

Through their leadership skills, they gain respect from peers and superiors and could inspire them enough to improve their overall productivity and performance. This results in the upper management getting a more engaged and motivated team – one that can handle even the most demanding projects efficiently.

4. Creativity & innovation

Whether it’s coming up with a new idea for your current job or trying something you’ve never done before, innovation and creativity are skills that employers value highly. Being innovative and creative isn’t only reserved for the scientists and artists of this world. Businesses are always looking for candidates who can offer fresh approaches to breaking out established concepts and coming up with cutting-edge ideas. If you can prove that you’re a creative thinker, you’ll stand out and be noticed for all the right reasons.

5. Adaptability

Employers value adaptability in the workplace. Adaptability is a soft skill that employers seek when hiring candidates as it demonstrates your ability to change and develop in order to thrive in an environment. Especially an environment that has unusual circumstances or no explicit instructions. They are able to learn from experience and adjust their actions to situations that require change.

As technology continues to evolve, the need for employees to adapt quickly is more important than ever. Additionally, accepting criticism positively also demonstrates adaptability. Employees who use negative feedback to improve their performance in the future are worth investing in to shape the culture in a positive way.

6. Time management

Managers and executives identify time management as a top soft skill they want in their workforce. Time management skills are important because they help you structure your work in a way that allows you to accomplish goals. They allow you to determine what tasks are most important, and how to leverage your time to complete those tasks while avoiding distractions. In short, time management involves setting specific priorities, then breaking them down into specific, actionable steps. These skills ultimately lead to higher productivity and goal attainment in the workplace.

To conclude, personal skills are becoming increasingly important in the job market. Every day more and more Industries are evolving to be more inclusive, creative, and agile. As a result, employers are looking for candidates with strong soft skills who can work well as part of a team. Backed with the right qualifications and experience, they will be the ones that ultimately succeed in their landing the most coveted positions.

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