Soft Skills

Soft skills are skills that you already possess as you enter the workplace, such as being on time, being able to adapt to changing needs, and making eye contact. Employers look for employees who already have these skills as they are not taught on the job.

Many times employers are willing to give you the training you need to do a job if you possess the soft skills. Hard skills are skills that can be measured. In school, you work on hard skills every day in Math class or English class.

Following is a list of soft skills. It is not all-inclusive. Click on the links under "Links to Explore" to identify additional soft skills. Which soft skills do you possess?

Communicating Making Decisions

Showing Commitment Flexibility

Time Management Leadership Skills

Creativity and problem-solving skills Team Player

Accepting responsibility Ability to Work Under Pressure

Listening Judgment

Integrity and Work Ethic Writing

Organization Planning

Scheduling Diversity awareness

Disability awareness Presentation skills

Self-confidence Stress management

Troubleshooting Customer Service

Useful Links:

What Are Soft Skills? Why Are They Important? www.carcom.com/kshs1112_studentprojects/hssp_12_infotech.pdf

87 Soft Skills: The Big List http://training.simplicable.com/training/new/87-soft-skills

The Soft Skills All Employers Seek http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/19/the-soft-skills-all-employers-seek

Top Skills and Values Employers Seek from Job-Seekers www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html

10 Highly Valued Soft Skills for IT Pros www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-highly-valued-soft-skills-for-it-pros/

2 Steps to Understanding Your Hard and Soft Skills http://thedigitalattitude.com/2013/04/25/2-steps-to-understanding-your-hard-and-soft-skills/