Graduates, Do You Have the Soft Skills Employers Want?

Having a great GPA and a college degree may have been enough to land a job at one time.  However, today’s graduates are expected to have more to offer in their hopes of securing entry level jobs.  Specifically, soft skills according to one article.

So, what are soft skills?  These are the skills that don’t necessarily show up on your resume or in a job interview.  They include written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work in teams, and adapting to changes in technology.  Soft skills are important because they help you stand out among the numerous job candidates competing for the same position.  Not to mention that potential employers may test you on these skills during the application process.

If you’re a job seeker who needs to acquire soft skills, consider getting one or more internships.  An internship can not only help you gain these skills and invaluable work experience in your field, but also place you at or near the top of a hiring manager’s list of job candidates, as employers see more value in this experience.  According to one source in the article I read, former interns once made up about half the recruits companies had an interest in hiring; that number has since increased to 75%.

Today’s college graduates should understand that while getting good grades and earning a degree is important for their job search(es), employers will expect them to bring more to the table.  Acquiring soft skills to match their other skills will help graduates meet the expectations of the workplace.

Source

Morning News: The Associated Press, June 2013