by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center concluded 85% of job success can be attributed to strong soft and people skills while 15% comes from hard skills. Given this study was conducted in 1918, we’ve known for over a century that soft skills are integral in the workplace.
Ask them what your best soft skills are and to provide an example of when they saw the skills in action. Or, you could ask them which 3 words describe you in the workplace. The answers might surprise you, in a good way!Job descriptions hold clues to help you recognize what skills you have, and should highlight, when you apply for a role. But, you won’t find these clues if you don’t read and study the job description.
If you’re exploring opportunities in other industries and not intending to apply just yet, then use this as an opportunity to ask yourself if you have the soft skills the employer is looking for. Don’t let a lack of hard skills close the door on applying to jobs in different industries. Often times, teaching hard skills is easier than teaching soft skills.