What Soft Skills do Employers Want From Job Seekers?

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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.