What Soft Skills Are Employers Looking For?

While an excellent education and work experience are essential to landing the job of your dreams, it's also important to focus on your soft skills to position yourself above other job seekers vying for the same position. When you're neck and neck with another candidate during the interview process, demonstrating and highlighting these soft skills helps you seal the deal and get hired. Check out nine of the most sought-after soft skills.

1. Positive Attitude

When employees demonstrate positive attitudes, it creates a pleasant work environment with less stress, increasing productivity. Display your positivity in an interview by showing enthusiasm for the position and job duties.

2. Flexibility

Employers want to hire job candidates who are adaptable to changes in client demands or market fluctuations. Demonstrate your flexibility by describing a time when your quick reaction to change was successful.

3. Integrity

Hiring managers and corporate leaders place a high degree of value on integrity. Prove that you're trustworthy by being completely honest on your resume and during your interview.

4. Team Player

It's important to leaders that employees work well together in teams and take advantage of opportunities to collaborate. Ask a former co-worker to write a letter of recommendation that describes a positive teamwork experience with you.

5. Ambition

Ambitious people push themselves toward their goals. Show potential employees how motivated you are by listing volunteer efforts in which you participate.

6. Strong Work Ethic

Hiring managers seek candidates with a strong work ethic to ensure they're getting quality employees. Take your time to prepare for the interview by researching the company, and explain to the interview panel how your personal characteristics can help achieve the organization's goals.

7. Confidence

A confident employee is more likely to offer solutions to problems and contribute in a group setting. Tell the hiring manager about a time when you developed an innovative idea to help solve a problem.

8. Ability to Accept Criticism

Constructive criticism lets employees make positive use of feedback by adjusting their behavior and performance as necessary. Describe a weakness you have, and tell the hiring manager how you plan to improve.

9. Communication

Hiring managers want job candidates who can express themselves clearly in verbal and written form. Make sure your cover letter and resume are flawless, and always conduct yourself professionally in email and telephone interactions with potential employers.

Think of soft skills as intangible assets; they aren't the result of an expensive education or years of work experience. Soft skills are personal characteristics that give hiring managers some insight into what type of employee you are and how you function in the workplace. Be sure you take stock of your soft skills when writing a cover letter, crafting your resume and preparing for an interview.

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