The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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What Soft Skills do Employers Want From Job Seekers?

Soft skills are critical to demonstrate throughout the hiring process, and become evident as all skills are discussed. In fact, there are surveys like the one below that suggest candidates lack showcasing them in the workplace. The other suggestion is that job seekers that demonstrate them will stand out in addition to having the hard skills needed for any position.
Recently, the December 2012 issue of Business Communication Quarterly published a paper citing top 10 soft skills Executives need in the workplace:
1) Communication
2) Courtesy
3) Flexibility
4) Integrity
5) Interpersonal skills
6) Positive attitude
7)Professionalism
8) Responsibility
9)Team work
10) Work ethic
These skills were also rated among the same group from most to least important by the same group of CEOs, again, these are soft skills that they value the most:
Integrity 93.0
Communication 91.2
Courtesy  84.2
Responsibility   71.9
Interpersonal skills  61.4
Professionalism  47.4
Positive attitude   45.6
Teamwork skills   43.9
Flexibility   42.1
Work ethic  36.8
Simply, soft skills are a combination of people skills, career attributes, and customer service. Every profession rely on these skills to sell and service customer/client issues.
*Business Communication Quarterly December 2012 75: 453-465, first published on October 8, 2012
Embody these skills
Job seekers cannot say a certain soft skill is here or there. It is part of who you are professionally. It is not like clothing that you can put it on, nor are attributes that you can point out. It is there when a job seeker explains  and demonstrates hard skills needed for a position.  Soft skills are valuable transferable attributes that noticeable when it has becomes the job candidate.
Which of the above soft skills are your strength (s)? Which one do you need to work on?  Let us know in the comments.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Conversation with Kathleen Brady, author of Get a Job! (PODCAST Episode #4)

Conversation with Kathleen Brady, author of Get a Job! (PODCAST Episode #4)

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Editor’s note: Inkwater Press is giving away FIVE copies of the e-book and one hardcopy! If you comment below about your takeaways points from the interview, then you qualify for a copy. We’ll run this giveaway until next Monday! GOOD LUCK!

Kathleen Brady (@KBCareerPlanner) is an author and a Certified Professional Coach with 25 years experience in helping professionals identify their goals and design action plans to achieve them. Get a Job: 10 Steps to Career Success is her fourth book, her third with Inkwater press. Her central focus of her practice is the planning and coaching for recent graduates and professionals who seek life satisfaction.  She is a former Assistant Dean of Career Services at Fordham University and past president of the National Association of Law Placement. If you want to know more about Kathleen Brady, her website is careerplanners.net.

Kathleen’s vast experience is impressive as you can tell in the depth and detail of her answers. It is by far the longest interview on this blog yet because it is hard to edit content that is vital to job seekers. Here is a table of contents to our discussion:

  • The mindset of job seekers creating his or her own opportunities
  • The importance of knowing what they want to do in their career
  • What should motivate a job seeker to pay attention to career goals and aspirations?
  • What does “success patters” mean and how it relates to the job search?
  • Using Linked In effectively
  • The Highland’s Ability Battery
  • What does AIR (Advice, Information, Referrals) mean and how it applies to job seekers?
  • Networking and how critical it is to do
  • Career Services at colleges and how under utilized they are
  • The breakdown of using three different languages–reluctant, suspicious, or negative

Enjoy our conversation!

 

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Conversation with Career Author, Andrea Kay

Conversation with Career Author, Andrea Kay

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Andrea Kay is a respected career expert, author, speaker, and a sought out career advisor. Specializing in “career therapy,” she has helped tens of thousands of people cut to the heart of their frustration and dissatisfaction with work and not only find a new job, but create a fulfilling career that fits who they are.

I personally appreciated Andrea’s candor and adapted her perspective in stating that “You are what you seem” to employers in the small window you present yourself to employers.  The concepts that many coaches including Andrea are hard to hear for the job seeker that is not progressive in his or her job search.

This is the kind of book you want to have in your library. In fact, I will make it easy for you through AMACOM books, I will be giving away one FREE copy of Andrea Kay’s book, This is How to Get Your Next Job! To qualify, leave a comment about something you will put into practice from our conversation.  I will randomly pick one winner to be announced on Monday on the blog and on the Facebook page (see right panel).

Some of her insights from our pre-interview Q & A that are stated in our conversation:

About good judgment…
“They’ll separate themselves from the pack by demonstrating good judgment in
the most basic, common sensical ways: Follow directions. If an employer
asks you to complete a test, send a writing sample, do it—exactly the way
they asked for it…”

The job seeker selling themselves…

“…it’s hard for most people to describe more than one or two actual
strengths. I have this exercise in all my books—except this one. But
basically, it’s looking at events and  times in your life when you’ve done
something you enjoyed and did well. Then analyzing what that took. This
helps you see patterns and eventually narrow down your strengths.”

Not being defensive about the “Why are you not working?” question…

“Basically, you need to get yourself calmed down first, so you don’t react
defensively immediately. Take a breath, realize why they’re asking. It’s a
realistic question. Why wouldn’t this be on their mind? So have a response
ready and say it with tact that helps the employer understand your
circumstances and what you’re doing now.”

Now that you have a preview, enjoy our conversation.

 

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.