What are typical soft skills?

Soft skills are essential abilities that play a central role in many professions and areas of life. They include communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. In today's working world, soft skills are just as important as technical knowledge. They promote effective collaboration and contribute to a positive working environment.

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are personal abilities such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving that are essential for personal and professional development. These skills help you interact more effectively with others and overcome challenges at work. Unlike technical qualifications, soft skills are often more difficult to measure, but they are just as important. They not only promote a positive work environment, but also your individual performance.

Typical examples of soft skills

• Communication : Communication is essential in any work environment. The ability to articulate thoughts clearly and concisely promotes effective collaboration and helps avoid misunderstandings. Communication skills also contribute to creating compelling presentations and reports.

• Teamwork : Teamwork means working effectively with a group of people to achieve a common goal. It requires empathy and the ability to give and accept constructive input. Good teamwork promotes innovation and increases efficiency within projects.

• Problem solving : Problem-solving skills are crucial for overcoming challenges creatively and efficiently. This includes quickly identifying problems, developing practical solutions, and putting those solutions into practice. Successful problem solvers are often those who think analytically and are resistant to stress.

Soft skills on your resume

To effectively showcase your soft skills on your resume, follow these best practices:

• Relevance: Choose soft skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Examples include teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Concreteness: Describe how you have applied these skills in previous positions. Use concrete examples and figures to substantiate your achievements.

• Placement: Integrate soft skills specifically into the section on professional experience or a separate section for skills.

• Avoid clichés: Instead of generic statements such as "team player," use specific achievements and responsibilities to illustrate your skills.

By consciously integrating these tips, you can ensure that your 'lifeskills resume' stands out in the application process. Keep in mind that the presentation of your soft skills can be crucial in setting you apart from other applicants.

Soft skills in the job interview

To successfully present your soft skills in the job interview, it is important to clearly demonstrate your communication skills. Begin the conversation with a clear and friendly example of your teamwork or problem-solving skills. Use specific scenarios to illustrate how you have overcome challenges in the past. Transition words such as "for example" or "such as" help to make your explanations flow smoothly. Be sure to get to the point and avoid long digressions. You could also refer to specific situations in which your soft skills made a difference. This will impress the HR manager in the job interview thanks to your soft skills.