A Hard Look at Soft Skills

Essay text:

These skills are all about how a person works with others, maintains a positive attitude under pressure, solves a personal or work crisis and communicates both ethically and effectively (Lorenz, 2005). “When you are working in teams, it’s the soft skills that will make you effective,” says Claire Zevalkink, a former vice president of Quixtar (Schoonmaker, 2007, p. 7). A person is trying to figure out if they have these soft skills might ask themselves some hard hitting questions (Lorenz, 2005): • Are you motivated and dedicated to getting the job done, no matter what? • Will you generate good energy and good will? • Can you make your case and express your needs in a way that builds bridges with colleagues, customers and vendors? • Do you know how to prioritize tasks and work on a number of different projects at once? • Are you resourceful and able to creatively solve problems that will inevitably arise? • Can you handle the stress that accompanies deadlines and crises? • Are you able to adapt to new situations and challenges? • Are you coach able and open to learning and growing as a person and as a professional? • Will you have the courage to ask questions that need to be asked and to freely contribute your ideas? When an employer is looking a candidate for a position, one consideration may be what the candidate can bring to the table...