W H AT D O E M P LO Y E R S LO O K F O R I N E M P LO Y E E S ?

SOFT SKILLS

WHAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR

1. First and foremost, can you do the job? 2. Are you going to be reasonably easy to work with? 3. Will you be satisfied with the job or will you be looking to leave within six months?4. Are you reasonably likeable? 5. Do you seem like you can put up with whatever the negatives of the job are? 6. Will you fit in with the company culture? 7. Do you have a strong work ethic? 8. How enthusiastic are you about the job?

NOTICE ANYTHING??

IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO…

1. First and foremost, can you do the job? 2. Are you going to be reasonably easy to work with? 3. Will you be satisfied with the job or will you be looking to leave within six months?4. Are you reasonably likeable? 5. Do you seem like you can put up with whatever the negatives of the job are? 6. Will you fit in with the company culture? 7. Do you have a strong work ethic? 8. How enthusiastic are you about the job?

CAN YOU DO THE JOB?

HARD SKILLS

• Technical or Academically oriented • Easy to define• Measurable by tests• Directly taught in

schools

EXAMPLES

• Associate of Science degree• Able to type 50 wpm• Certified welder• CDL license holder• High school graduate• 10 years of clerical

experience

EVERYTHING ELSE…

• SOFT SKILLS… • The ability to communicate and interact

positively and productively with others• Develop as we age• Not directly taught in school• Relates to our attitude and outlook on life• Difficult to explain, but we easily recognize

them

EXAMPLES OF SOFT SKILLS

• Good Listener• Effective communication skills• Dependable• Neat• Friendly• Organized• Prompt• Fair• Hard worker

TOP 6 SOFT SKILLS

• Communication • Enthusiasm & Attitude • Teamwork • Networking • Problem Solving & Critical Thinking • Professionalism

SOFT SKILL #1: COMMUNICATION

• Verbal• Interpersonal• Public speaking• Telephone etiquette• Listening

comprehension

• Non-verbal• Facial expressions• Body language• Posture

• Written• Email• Text messages• Letters/Reports

• Visual• Dress• Personal hygiene

NONVERBAL: INTERVIEW ATTIRE

INTERVIEW ATTIRE DO’S & DON’TS

DO’S

• Solid/neutral colors, subtly patterns tops

• Modesty• Blouses or button downs

(ladies cover shoulders, men wear long sleeves

• Slacks• Closed toe shoes

DON’TS

• Distractingly bright colors/patterns

• The 3 Bs - No boobs, no belly, no butt crack!

• T-shirts or t-shirt material

• Jeans, capris, shorts, cargos, camouflage

• Sandals, flip flops

SOFT SKILL #2: ENTHUSIASM & ATTITUDE

• All other things being equal, a candidate who can demonstrate a positive attitude and eagerness to tackle the job will have an advantage over one who displays an attitude viewed by the employer as negative or disinterested. In fact, many employers would rather provide job skills training to an enthusiastic but inexperienced worker than hire someone with perfect qualifications but a less-than-positive attitude.

DISPLAYING ENTHUSIASM AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE

IN A JOB INTERVIEW

• Smile• Sit up straight• Make eye contact…

but don’t stare, it’s disturbing• Discuss training

and work experiences in an upbeat manner

ONCE HIRED

• Show up on time!• Show interest in his

or her job• Demonstrate a

willingness to listen, learn, and try new things

IN CUSTOMER SERVICE SETTINGS

• Approach customers and offer assistance, don’t run away! • Seek out tasks and

projects when there is down time• If there’s time to

lean, there’s time to clean!

SOFT SKILL #3: TEAMWORK

• Teamwork involves building relationships and working with other people using a number of important skills and habits: • Working cooperatively • Contributing to groups with ideas, suggestions, and effort • Communication (both giving and receiving) • Sense of responsibility • Healthy respect for different opinions, customs,

and individual preferences • Ability to participate in group decision-making

“It’s not what you know, it’s

who you know”

SOFT SKILL #4:

NETWORKING

80% of available jobs are not advertised.

EVERYONE HAS A NETWORK

• WHAT/WHEN/WHERE: Networking occurs every time you participate in a school or social event, volunteer in the community, visit with members of your religious group, talk with neighbors, strike up a conversation with someone at the store, or connect with friends online.

• WHY: To get those 80% of opportunities that are never posted online.

• WHO: People with whom you interact regularly.• Family/Friends, Parents'

Friends/ Friend’s Parents, Friends of Friends, Neighbors, Teachers, Church Members

• HOW: When networking for the purpose of career development, this means talking with friends, family members, and acquaintances about your goals, your interests, and your dreams.

SOFT SKILL #5: PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING

• There is no shortage of challenges and issues that can arise on the job.

• Whether these problems are large or small, they need to be dealt with constructively and fairly.

• Having the necessary skills to identify solutions to problems is one of the skills that employers look for in employees.

SIMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING

PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS

1. Identify and Select the Problem

2. Analyze the Problem3. Generate Potential

Solutions4. Select and Plan the

Solution5. Implement the Solution6. Evaluate the Solution

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Ask a Question2. Do Background Research3. Construct a Hypothesis4. Test Your Hypothesis by

Doing an Experiment5. Analyze Your Data and

Draw a Conclusion6. Communicate Your

Results

SOFT SKILL #6: PROFESSIONALISM

Professionalism does not mean wearing a suit or carrying a briefcase; rather, it means conducting oneself with responsibility, integrity, accountability, and excellence. It means communicating effectively and appropriately and always finding a way to be productive.

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