Five soft skills you need to have to be successful

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When you are scrolling through Indeed or looking for jobs on LinkedIn there is a common trend on the majority of job postings regardless of the field you are looking at. Whether you are looking for a job in business or health care you will always notice that certain soft skills are listed in the requirements section of the posting. It is important that you are always developing these soft skills to ensure you will excel in your career.

Teamwork

Regardless of the fact that your position may be independent or not, there is generally always a teamwork component to any organization. Being able to collaborate with your coworkers will allow for you to generate more ideas and solutions that will benefit the company. People in an organization have different backgrounds and experiences and if you all work together there is a good chance that you will be more productive and efficient. It is beneficial if you can start to develop these skills early on through sports teams, clubs/groups, in the classroom or even in your social life so you will be able to succeed when you enter the workplace.

Work Ethic

A strong work ethic is necessary in any job and will allow you to be more successful in your career. People with a strong work ethic will be more respected by their employer and therefore have a better opportunity for advancement. Having a positive attitude, punctuality and strong attendance are all important aspects of a good work ethic. Employers want to work with people who perform at their highest potential to ensure that a company is always at their peak. These skills can easily be developed in the classroom by attending classes, ensuring you are meeting deadlines and consistently working hard towards your goals.

Communication

Communications skills are arguably one of the most important soft skills to have. The majority of organizations require you to be able to read, write and listen. Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal communication because it is essential that you understand how to pick up on certain cues as well as avoid having negative nonverbal behaviour. Body language, facial expressions and gestures can have a conversation of their own and if you cannot comprehend these cues than you will not succeed in your workplace.

Problem Solving

Problem solving skills are key to have in any field of work. It is very rare that a company is immune to having problems and it is important that you understand how to be an effective problem solver. There is generally training when you start a job about how to deal with certain situations that may occur, but it is important that you bring in your own set of problem solving skills. Not every problem that occurs will be textbook so it is integral that you understand how to look at a problem, weigh the options and develop a solution.

Time Management

Almost every job has deadlines that you are expected to meet. It is important that you know how to effectively manage your time to ensure that you are completing assignments or jobs on time. Being able to prioritize your tasks and plan each day efficiently will allow you to be more successful within your organization. Employees who do not follow instruction and are constantly missing deadlines will set themselves up for failure and prevent themselves from achieving future advancement opportunities.