The Importance Of Soft Skills For Students In Achieving Future Career Success

A person’s skills come in various forms, categorized as 'hard' and 'soft' skills. Hard skills like mathematics and writing are technical abilities gained through education and experience. While these are important for job applications, employers also seek soft skills—often called 'key competencies'—which help candidates stand out in interviews and early job experiences.

Soft skills encompass effective communication, social interaction, and a positive attitude, and they are often developed through daily experiences rather than formal training. There is no single path to mastering these skills; they can take time to develop. The NSHSS aims to clarify the importance of soft skills and provide strategies for improvement, emphasizing that even experienced professionals continue to work on them. Openness, honesty, and courage are essential for developing these competencies.

Let’s get started! 

 

Professionalism 

An important soft skill to begin with is how to make a good first impression. Although it might sound old-fashioned, a first impression goes a long way when meeting new employers and possible employees. Simple things such as how you dress, sit in a chair and keep eye contact are all great things to practice as you begin to enter the job market. Even something as simple as a handshake can be a good soft skill when you first walk in for an interview. These little first impressions will add up quickly for most of the people who might interview. 

 

Responsibility 

Getting hired to do a job means taking on all types of different responsibilities. Clocking in and out, using the different software the company uses, and adapting your hard skills to the job and its process are all important components of being a responsible employee. It is good to remember that if you are hired, you will have to train and learn things you may not have expected. Being responsible means being open and willing to learn new things, as well as adapting to how the job is structured, including the schedule, how the other employees communicate with each other, and how the boss prefers work is done. 

 

Teamwork 

Most college graduates have participated in one form of teamwork or another. Even if you did not do too many group projects or were not part of a campus group, such as a sorority or sports team, you will inevitably have spent time working with a fellow student (or students) on an assignment for class. It is important to carry those skills you learned of working with others over into whatever job you get. But it is also equally important to remember that as you transition into the job market, your coworkers will not be in the same phase of life as you, compared to college. You might be working alongside men or women as old seventy, or middle-aged single mothers, or retired veterans, or even interns younger than you—in short, you never can predict who you might have to work with. So as you begin your new job, just remember to stay open and kind to whoever you are working with. 

 

Communication

Regarding soft skills, communication might be one of the most effective tools you can hone and develop. It is essential to know how to communicate, whether with your boss or your coworkers. More often than not, miscommunication can lead to a problem at work, whereas effective communication can yield more consistent and improved solutions. Some tips for good communication include diction, tone, body language, and active listening. This last tip is crucial to effective communication; you must truly interpret all the elements of the other person’s dialogue with you, not just to the mere information—or worse, tuning them out halfway through and waiting to respond with what you want to say. Communication is a core pinnacle of trust between others, and mastering this skill can help you along the way. 

 

Commitment/Follow-Through  

Sometimes it is hard for college students to transition into the workforce. Compared to college courses, which are structured with your entire lesson plan essentially laid out at the start of each semester, most jobs involve a lot of last-minute changes. While this may not always happen, it is likely to happen in most jobs you will get. When things in your job do change, you must be willing to be flexible and commit to the changes. This will demonstrate to your boss that you are adaptable and willing to go the extra mile. While they may not immediately notice your commitment, it will not go unseen. 

 

Creativity 

An emerging need for companies who hire new employees is the need for more creativity. A company’s whole goal is to make a profit while staying efficient and wasting as little time as possible. With this routine, companies are built on change and growth. And just as you must adapt to your job at the company, the company itself must adapt to the world around it. This means finding creative ways to engage new customers, stay “in the conversation” from an advertising perspective, and find solutions to the company's logistical concerns. For instance, a lot of creativity was needed when companies, especially small businesses, were shut down during the 2020 pandemic. This is why it is crucial to voice your ideas and stay up to date on what’s going on in your company. As the saying goes, “the best idea wins.” Maybe you could have that next great idea!

 

Time Management 

One great way to demonstrate responsibility is to strive for great time management. This does not just mean showing up to work on time. It means that you spend the time wisely. As previously mentioned, things at work might change consistently. No matter how quickly things change, you should always be mindful of how much time and effort you put into each task. Just quickly skimming over an important task will lead to trouble later on and pouring over the same task for half the workday. Finding a balance and flexibility in how you spend your time is crucial to doing a good, thorough job. Don't overlook the skill of time management.

 

Leadership 

Most companies place a very high value on leadership. Being a leader often means being on time, working hard, being honest and communicating effectively. It also means going above and beyond what is expected of you. A practical example of this is when you are at a new job, and you don’t exactly know an answer to a problem you have. One way to really show leadership potential is by, instead of just immediately asking for the right answer, demonstrating your critical thinking skills and finding ways to answer the problem for yourself. This requires utilizing all the tools at your disposal which the company has to offer. There are countless other ways to demonstrate leadership, including conversing well with your coworkers and designated team leaders, speaking up during staff meetings about any ideas you might have on a particular project, and talking to customers and/or clients without being asked. If you wonder what a leader might do in this situation, first, just remind yourself that a leader speaks up for themselves and is not afraid to act even if they are not sure they are right. But the last, and possibly most important aspect of leadership is very attentive listening. Just speaking for the sake of ‘looking like a leader’ is not enough. You must be willing to hear out the other people you work with. And you must be sure that what they are saying is met with understanding and cooperation. While these two things, listening but also speaking up, may seem contradictory, just try and remember that they are a balance. By mastering that balance, you will display confidence in your ability to one day become a true leader. 

 

Integrity 

Last but not least, it is important to remember that most employers are not just looking for somebody who knows how to do the job; they are also looking for somebody they can trust to do the job. By displaying confidence in both your abilities and your morality, employers will be glad to see that you can be entrusted with sensitive information and left alone to do the work still and not be the cause of social issues. Things like gossip around the office and lying about completing even small tasks. A disregard for time management is something that employers do not want because it will only create an unsafe work environment. They frankly don’t have the time or energy to handle these fairly immature issues. They want somebody who can show up on time, do the work they were hired, and support the company and the other employees through generosity and hard work. Most seasoned employers you speak with will get a sense of your integrity quickly, so be sure to display kindness and confidence in your interview. 

These skills will not always be easy to master or even work on right away. For some, depending on your personality and experience level, certain skills might take much longer than others to hone. That is okay. Most companies who hire young professionals out of college understand that life is all about growth and that everybody has to start somewhere. Do not be afraid to try new things while also leaning into the skills you are most comfortable with early on. If you are open, honest, and work hard, those skills will come to you in time. Just putting in the effort will get you farther than you think. At NSHSS, we value commitment and determination. We know it is hard to grow and improve your skills. That is why we encourage you to take a look at some more of our insights into how you can become the best employee you can be!