Job Search – Marketing your ‘Soft Skills’ – Part II

In follow-up to Part I of “Marketing your Soft Skills,” I trust that you have now taken some time to consider your soft skills, and what you have to offer your next employer, in concert with your professional credentials.

As I mentioned previously, more importance is definitely being placed on a candidate’s soft skills. In some cases, a candidate with less experience will get the position due to his or her personality and effective communications style, demonstrated during the course of the interview(s).

The downside of this situation is, of course, remuneration, as it would be adjusted due to the difference in the educational and professional requirements previously outlined for the position. However, the fact is that the candidate is now gainfully employed and will learn and move forward when the opportune time arrives, or is proactively sought after.

While this is a disappointment to job hunters, it is an understandable circumstance as the ‘best fit’ for the team, from a personality profile perspective, can be perceived as even more important than practical experience. I have certainly witnessed the hiring of staff based on personality, where others have had more experience to offer, and I am confident that my readers can also relate to this scenario.

Now, let’s get to the core of this article and review potential transferable skills, which could look like:

• Good time & project management skills

• Ability to influence others
• Team player attitude
• Excellent listening skills
• Easily builds strong relationships
• Strong organizational skills

For example, let’s say a salesperson working at Home Depot desperately wants to get into the hospitality industry but has no prior experience to offer. The skills of a successful salesperson would, of course, easily transfer over to the hospitality industry for obvious reasons, and therefore, I say go for it! I realize this is a very basic and elementary example, but I am sure you get my point. I believe that it really comes down to how you present in an interview, as I have stated in my previous articles.

Your unique personal skills may look like

• Goes above and beyond

• Positive attitude
• Strong work ethic
• Quick study
• Creative
• Self-directed

Of course, we all have something different to bring to the table, as it were. How we communicate our given skills is what matters, and what makes the difference when under pressure in situations such as job interviews, exams, performance reviews, et cetera.

In my last interview a few years ago, I was asked a question I had never been asked before, which I would like to share with you now. This was a totally spontaneous and brilliant question!

Question: If you only had one word to describe yourself, what would it be, in 30 seconds or less? What would your response be given the same timeline? Be spontaneous!

Contributing Author: Trish Johnson, author of several widely read research and business development blogs, including:
http://corpsecrets.ca and
http://busdev.ca/