Soft Skills

Soft skills are the personal atributes, personality traits, inherent social cues, and communication abilities needed for success on the job. Soft skills reflect how people interact in relationship with others. Unlike hard skills that are job-specific skills, soft skills are interpersonal skills that are harder to learn. They are much harder to measure and evaluate.

Pay attention to the following as you go through your time at Las Positas College and plan for the next step. There are also a few websites to visit for more information and ideas on soft skill development.

1. Collaboration: Employers want team players. They want someone who can work across disciplines and function effectively with a group. Students can develop these skills on group projects in class, through athletics or student organizations.

2. Problem-solving: Managers don't always want to hear about problems, but about solutions to the problems that arise. Many interviewers will ask about a time that you faced a problem and how you solved it. They are looking for your approach to it, and what the measurable outcomes were from your solution.

3. Adaptability: When you are new to your career, adaptability comes naturally as you are learning new things every day. However, it’s a trait that all employers look for in their staff – the ability to change when the needs of the business change.

4. Communication/Interpersonal skills: Employers want staff who can carry on a conversation, make eye contact and listen actively. You should be able to talk with team members, formulate your ideas, and be able to write them in professional memos or letters.

5. Time management: Can you organize your work and complete projects on time? Can you track multiple projects at once? This includes consistently showing up to class work on time. You can learn and practice time management through your study habits.

6. Leadership: Regardless of your role in the organization, it is important to demonstrate leadership skills. Develop the ability to assume a leadership role when called upon.

• The Critical 21st Century Skills Every Student Needs and Why
• Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
• Soft Skills to Help your Career Hit the Big Time
• Skills You Need