Over the last few years, soft skills have been at the forefront of hiring professionals’ minds. Throughout the pandemic, these skills are becoming even more essential. With millions of people working from home and many others transitioning into a new career journey, soft skills are highly sought after. But what are the skills that employers are in the most need of during these challenging, unpredictable times? Here are the soft skills with the most demand in 2021.
Communication and collaboration
Employers are always looking for prospective employees with solid communication skills, but with remote work becoming normalized, communication skills will be in high demand in 2021. Communication skills come in different shapes and sizes – meeting with clients, working with colleagues, and speaking to various stakeholders. With so many different avenues to convey your thoughts (email, phone, video, chat tools, etc.), strong communications skills will be crucial. You must convey your communication skills in your resume and you can expect to be asked questions regarding your communication capabilities.
Adaptability
Adaptability is another soft skill in high demand this year (and beyond). When the pandemic first hit, companies scrambled to stay afloat and keep work operations running. Many people began working from home while others returned to the office with new rules and safety protocols. The workers who stood out from the rest were flexible and adaptable to what was going on around us. Employers are looking for candidates that can roll with the punches and improvise as needed. Whether that’s a sudden adoption of new tools or a unique working environment, adaptability will be key moving forward.
Self-motivation
It’s easier for employers to motivate their teams when everyone is working onsite. However, with millions of people working from home for the foreseeable future, hiring managers are looking for candidates with drive and self-motivation. Employers will be looking for candidates that can illustrate their enthusiasm, know their purpose, and work hard. These hiring professionals are looking for go-getters that have the determination to get work done and step in to help others when needed. Instead of waiting around being asked to work on something, employers want to see you move on to another task or project.
Time Management
Finally, employers are looking for candidates was excellent time management skills. You won’t have your manager breathing down your neck or walking into your office to check in with you. You will be expected to manage your day and efficiently use your time to complete your work assignments. Hiring managers will be looking for job seekers that can manage their working schedules and complete tasks on time. If you are working from home, there are distractions around every corner. It’s up to you to establish a schedule that works for both you and your team.
Are you looking for tips to demonstrate these soft skills?
Now that you know the soft skill with the most demand, it’s time to illustrate them to the hiring manager. You can do this in both your resume and during your interview. If you are looking for some advice on how to show a prospective employer that you possess these four skills, review our job search resources today!
