Introduction

When it comes to applying for a job, Matthew Davies knows that the recruiter is looking for your hard skills. These are the skills that you have that are directly associated with your trade. So, if you are a machinist, it would be important that you know the different machines you will be working with and the tools that you will need to make minor repairs. Then there are the soft skills. These are all the skills that are not in the scope of your job. They are hard to define, which is why they are called soft skills, to begin with. They are not skills in particular, but you must possess them if you are going to advance your career.

Critical Thinking

By far the most important soft skill that you can have. This will allow you to make decisions based on what is sitting right in front of you. Critically thinking means that you will be able to look outside the box for a solution to the problem. This is also called problem-solving. The two terms mean the same thing, but when you tell your employer that you are good at critical thinking it is a lot better received.

Communication

There are very few jobs in the world that communication is not important. Communication is not as simple as just saying words or writing an email. Communication is the ability to let the other person know exactly what needs to be done. If you find that people don’t understand what you want them to do, then you have poor communication skills. Try to think at a more basic level, without sounding condescending, and explain it that way. This is the point at which you will become a great communicator.

Leadership

 This skill is your ability to have people follow you. It is generally garnered through another skill called confidence. If the people you are directing have faith that you know what you are talking about, then they will be more likely to follow you. Remember, a true leader does not lead from the back, they lead from the front. You know the old saying that says you have to lead by example? That is where this comes from. You will pull them in your direction rather than push them.

Time Management

When you are able to manage your time properly, this looks good to your employer. They know that you will not be wasting your time. Wasted time to a boss is time that they are paying you for doing nothing. This is not the kind of employee that they want. Learn to manage your time and you will go far in your career.

Conclusion

Matthew Davies hopes that you start working on these soft skills as soon as you can. The sooner that you can accomplish these skills, the sooner you will start to advance in your career. The most important thing you can do is develop as many soft skills as you can. The skills on this list are the ones that you need to start with. The others will start to fall in place after you master these.