9 Top Soft Skills that Should Be On Your Resume

Knowing the top soft skills to put on a resume can be difficult especially when changing from one job to another.

Fresh graduates are often lost when it comes to listing their skills on their resume.

For a start, many don’t even know the difference between soft skills and hard skills.

Soft skills apply to every job. They are also known as people skills or social skills.

They are personal attributes that make it possible for you to interact with others at the workplace.

Some skills are applicable to almost every jobs while others will ruin your chances of being employed.

Soft skills are transferable skills which makes them applicable to every job.

The best soft skills to include in your resume are those that will get you hired.

Only include those skills that will increase your marketability before your prospective employers.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), soft skills are harder to learn, measure, and evaluate.

Therefore, it is advisable not to include any skill you don’t possess in your resume unless you are determined to acquire such skill before you are found out.

It is much better, to be honest about the skills you possess instead of doing otherwise.

That been said, here are the top soft skills that should be on your resume.

1. Time management

Time management is the ability to work efficiently, make optimal use of the given time for a job and save the organization money.

This soft skill will ultimately increase the company’s revenue.

You can already tell why this skill must be on your resume.

As an employee with this skill, you’ll be more productive, more efficient, and more likely to meet deadlines.

Your focus will be on the most important and time-sensitive tasks.

If you can demonstrate that you possess this soft skill in your resume, you have a chance of getting your dream job.

2. Communication

This is a very important skill to have in almost every job.

Every day, you will need to communicate with people (clients, customers, colleagues, employers, or vendors) either in person or via electronic means.

You need to possess the ability to speak with people in person, over the phone, and in writing in a clear and polite way.

This can be in the form of verbal communication, visual communication, non-verbal communication, negotiation, persuasion, presentation, public speaking, storytelling, and even read body language.

3. Organization

This is a very important and transferable job skill that you should have.

Hiring managers look for employees who can keep their work and desk organized, and focus on different projects without getting lost.

This will increase productivity and efficiency in the workplace.

4. Work ethic

If you have a strong work ethic, complete tasks on time, and focused, then include this soft skill in your resume.

Almost all employers, if not all, want candidates with a strong work ethic and can work independently by following instructions.

This soft skill is difficult to teach.

If you can demonstrate this skill in your job application, then prospective employers will be impressed.

Some of the top soft skills that are related to strong work ethics are business ethics, persistent, planning, proper business etiquette, results-oriented, strategic planning, and the ability to work well under pressure.

5. Leadership

Most employers will prefer to hire someone who can make decisions, manage situations and manage people when necessary.

If you have the ability to resolve problems and make executive decisions on your own, you have the potential to become a leader in the organization in the future.

Not every job opening requires this skill but it’s very desirable.

Other top soft skills related to leadership skills are delegation, facilitating, deal-making, management, mentoring and supervising.

6. Analytical skills

Your ability to analyze situations and make informed decisions based on your analysis will set you apart from thousands of other job seekers.

If you can understand problems, think critically, and come up with effective solutions, employers will find it difficult to turn down your candidacy for their jobs.

Some basic analytical skills are critical thinking, creativity, flexibility, and curiosity.

Other soft top skills are adaptability, logical thinking, research skills, resourceful, willingness to learn, tolerant to change and uncertainties.

7. Listening

You need to be a good listener. Employers want employees who can communicate their own ideas and listen to other ideas without interference.

Your ability to listen emphatically is a soft skill that might possibly land you your next job.

8. Positive attitude

What kind of a person are you? The glass is the half-full type or the glass is half empty type? It doesn’t matter.

This is based entirely on the situation and the perspective. What matters most is the energy you bring to the office.

No employer wants a toxic person around. It brings negative energy which is bad for business.

Employers are always looking for someone who will bring a positive attitude to the office, friendly to others, eager to work, and generally a pleasure to be around.

You must be confident, cooperative, courteous, energetic, respectful, patient. and generally, be able to balance work and life without one affecting the other.

9. Teamwork

Prospective employers look for job candidates who can work effectively with others despite their differences.

As a job seeker, you must be able to appreciate diversity, negotiate with others in a team, and be able to accept feedback from others.

Some top soft skills related to teamwork include the ability to deal with office politics, difficult situations, intercultural competence, and experience dealing with difficult personalities.

Here you have it. These are the top soft skills that should be on your resume. Nothing complicated or out of order.

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