A variety of skill are required to make a person successful, (Build Confidence With Soft Skills)both in employment and personal life. In everything you do, you need to know what to do and how to do it. The first part uses your 'hard skills' and the second part 'soft skills'. Traditionally, the focus has been on 'hard skills' i.e. qualification and technical capability . Today , this is not enough.'Soft skills
have become increasingly important in securing high grade employment and being able to work with employers,colleagues , customers and suppliers. They are also important in personal relationships, because of what is expected of you.
In a nutshell ,Soft skills refer to your ability to interact with and influence people. They include a cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication skills,ability with language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that mark each of us in varying degrees.
Unlike hard skills, it is difficult to quantify and measure your ability insoft skills. So there is no exam to take , no diploma or certificate you can obtain . However, your level of soft skills becomes immediately evident when you deal with people.
So what are these soft skills?
To clarify the scope of soft skills, here are a few typical question which you should answer honestly to both understand and assess your level of interest to pursue this further.
Ability with language - concerns your in fluency in the phrases in your written and spoken language. It also refers to the use of a global language like English.
Q: Am I comfortable speaking 'off-the- cuff' or do I need time to prepare?
Q: Do I get stuck for words when I am speaking ?
Personal habits - are very relevant in dealing with people.
Q: Do I pick my nose in public?
Q: Do people move away from me at close quarters?
Friendliness- Deals with how well you get on with people.
Q: Do I have difficulty in making friends?
Q: Am I easy to approach?
Finally, optimism deals with your attitude to things, though your attitude may not be the same in every situation.
Q: When I am down, do I look inward?
Q: Am I always talking about the negative side of things?
have become increasingly important in securing high grade employment and being able to work with employers,colleagues , customers and suppliers. They are also important in personal relationships, because of what is expected of you.
In a nutshell ,Soft skills refer to your ability to interact with and influence people. They include a cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication skills,ability with language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that mark each of us in varying degrees.
Unlike hard skills, it is difficult to quantify and measure your ability insoft skills. So there is no exam to take , no diploma or certificate you can obtain . However, your level of soft skills becomes immediately evident when you deal with people.
So what are these soft skills?
To clarify the scope of soft skills, here are a few typical question which you should answer honestly to both understand and assess your level of interest to pursue this further.
Ability with language - concerns your in fluency in the phrases in your written and spoken language. It also refers to the use of a global language like English.
Q: Am I comfortable speaking 'off-the- cuff' or do I need time to prepare?
Q: Do I get stuck for words when I am speaking ?
Personal habits - are very relevant in dealing with people.
Q: Do I pick my nose in public?
Q: Do people move away from me at close quarters?
Friendliness- Deals with how well you get on with people.
Q: Do I have difficulty in making friends?
Q: Am I easy to approach?
Finally, optimism deals with your attitude to things, though your attitude may not be the same in every situation.
Q: When I am down, do I look inward?
Q: Am I always talking about the negative side of things?
Personality traits - reflect your background, upbringing and qualities you have acquired through association with people and specific training.
Q : Am I disciplined ? Example Do i keep my word , do I follow up, and can i manage my work load?
Q: Am I time conscious ? Example Late for everyone or even some things
Social graces - refer to how you can interact with other people.
Q: Am I rude to people ? Example Not reply when spoken to
Q: Can I mix with people I do not know?
Example . Only move in known circles
Communication skill- is the key to successful relationships, in your interactions with people.
Q: Do I reply the question I was asked ? Example Ignore and continue talking about your own interests.
Q: Do people misunderstand me? Example . Conversation moves in the wrong direction.