Workplace hard and soft skills: What you need to be successful, part 2

In my last article, I explained how having basic computer skills are essential in today's workplace. 

If you are just starting off or getting back into the workforce after having spent significant time off, then you will need to know how to navigate your way using email, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, and a few other software.

Having computer working knowledge or “hard skills” may get you by on your job, but in order to thrive and move up the career ladder, you will need to have “soft skills,” too. 

At the top of the soft skills list is being a good communicator: writing and verbally being able to break down complex ideas and to express them to a coworker, potential client or a large audience. 

Writing clearly and concisely in emails, reports, sales copy, etc. are highly valued. 

If you are still in college, you can increase your reading, writing and analytical skills by taking reading-heavy courses such as history, philosophy, and theology. 

Keeping a journal, writing a blog, and making a book report are all good ways to keep your writing (and thinking skills) sharp. 

Being a good writer shouldn’t be scoffed at as employers find value in employees who possess this very skill.

In fact, 37 Signals CEO Jason Fried is renowned for hiring only engineers and developers who can write well. 

He says that those who can write well, can think clearly, and express themselves and communicate ideas well.  

Being a good communicator includes being able to “present well” to a small audience of a few people in a conference room or on Microsoft Teams to addressing forty to fifty department workers in a lunchroom. 

Having confidence, good eye contact, projecting your voice, moving around the room, and being able to engage and keep the audience’s attention, while communicating your ideas are important.

One way I was able to become a better-than-average public speaker was my years spent in front of the classroom during my teaching stints in China and South Korea earlier in my career.

Getting up and speaking to large groups everyday for years really made the fear go away and the confidence to address and to engage the audience set in.

These soft skills, if you can nail them down, will contribute to your career growth no matter your age.

Leaders will recognize these attributes and have confidence in promoting you.

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