What soft skills do you need to land a job?
According to business leaders from around the world, these are the ones you will need in the next future.Finding a job that’s the right fit for you is a mix of having the right technical skills, experience and/or education. But what about soft skills? Soft skills are in demand, but hard to find says PwC’s Global CEO survey The talent challenge: Harnessing the power of human skills in the machine age. As automation becomes a reality in many workplaces, uniquely human skills are more valuable than ever.
Here are the top four soft skills that business leaders from around the world are looking for:
- Adaptability
As we all race to keep up in a rapidly changing world, adaptability is key. Whether it’s adapting to working with new cultures in a multinational company or learning new technology, change will inevitably be part of your job. Being able to roll with the punches shows that you are flexible and ready to tackle any challenge.
- Problem-solving
According to MIT, employers often identify everyday problem-solving skills as crucial to the success of their organizations and believe it shows the independence and initiative of their employees. In fact, most companies will test for problem-solving skills during interviews. For example, Google interviewers famously ask problem-solving questions that are so difficult that some have become banned.
- Creativity
Undoubtedly connected to adaptability and problem solving, creativity is what sets us apart from machines. STEM thought leader Dr. Anna Powers argues that the computer lacks the imagination or creativity to dream up a vision for the future, making creativity a must-have skill. While technology can help us analyze and interpret data and even help us predict events, it’s up to us to find creative solutions for the future.
- Leadership
This soft skill will never go out of style. While it seems that some people are natural born leaders, others have to work hard at it. Having good leadership skills means having the right mix of humility, self-awareness, decision-making and communication skills and the ability to influence others. Not an easy task, but one you can achieve with the right amount of will and dedication.
