When employers look for job candidates, you may not be aware of what qualifications are at the top of their list. It helps to be familiar with machinery, applications, computer programs or specific tasks involved in the job (such as computer programming, accounts payable, operating forklifts or stocking merchandise). These are considered “hard skills”, and while they are extremely important, they can always be taught to the right candidate. The type of skills that are more heavily sought after in today’s job market are “soft skills”, which are harder to teach and indicate the quality of a candidate’s performance. Examples of soft skills are time management, emotional intelligence and teamwork. They impact a candidate’s ability to get along with and work with others, learn new things and be loyal to the company they work for. Here are some of the most in-demand soft skills of 2018 job seekers can demonstrate to potential employers:
1) Critical Thinking
In any job, you are likely to come across situations that require you to take control and determine the best course of action to resolve the issue at hand and prevent further complications. One of the most in-demand soft skills of 2018 is critical thinking, or problem solving. To be a good critical thinker, you must be able to assess your surroundings, be resourceful, do any necessary research, think outside the box and use sound reasoning. Think of a time in your career that you used critical thinking skills to successfully resolve a problem you encountered on the job.
2) Cultural Adaptability
We are in the age of rapidly expanding technology and globalization. The ability to understand and successfully interact with people from different cultures and different parts of the world is more important than ever, and it’s one of the most in-demand soft skills of 2018. Being able to feel comfortable and communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds allows employees to deliver better customer service, market products more successfully and generate higher revenue for the company.
3) Flexibility
The world is always changing, and technology is rapidly advancing. More and more companies are looking to hire individuals that can go with the flow and easily adjust to changes in aspects of their job such as company procedures, new software and the people they are working with on a daily basis. The ability to be flexible and open to new ideas is one of the most in-demand soft skills of 2018.
4) Thirst for Knowledge
Having a passion for continuing to learn and discover new things is a highly valuable soft skill many employers look for. While employers can teach candidates certain things, it’s important for an employee to have the initiative to keep up-to-date with industry news and trends and search for answers when they come across something on the job they aren’t very familiar with.
5) Resiliency
Everyone makes mistakes, and things won’t always go your way in any job. But to perform well on the job, you can’t let stressful situations bring you down. You must be able to dust yourself off, learn from mistakes and move on. Resiliency is one of the most in-demand soft skills of 2018 because no employee can get very far without it.
Author: Jessica Cody
Jessica Cody, a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, has a background in online marketing and public relations. Currently, she works at VHMNetwork LLC in the role of Marketing Analyst. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she studied Journalism and Political Science. She is also an avid runner with a passion for the outdoors.
