Job experience and education are only part of the equation when finding the perfect new employee. Most hiring managers can attest to situations where an applicant looked perfect on paper, but the hire didn’t stick due to a disconnect in the soft skills needed to perform the job. According to the American Society of Training and Development, 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft skills, while 15% of success is attributed to technical skills and knowledge.
With the overwhelming importance of soft skills in the workplace, we want to know which soft skill is the most important attribute you look for when hiring. Let us know by voting in our poll!
dependability is right up there as well.
All of those soft skills are essential for a good team. In the number of years that I have worked in the public and in government, as a co-worker and in management, the two soft skills that I have seen work very successfully are a combination of: A Positive Attitude and Motivation. When these two elements meld you can see or sense self confidence and individuality. It is like seeing children in a classroom and the teacher says, “okay I need a volunteer to help me make something special”. The children don’t know what that special something is but you will hear some of them say. “pick me, pick me, I know I can do it! Let me try and I can show you I can.”
As a manager interviewing for different positions, I always looked for these soft skills and it served me well as they became very productive and with the on going coaching you have to do with each employee, they learned to influence and demonstrate why this project was so important and the team needed to work together for success. This created a great team and more important a good working relationship on a daily basis.