The Death of Soft Skills: Why We Need to Stop Using That Phrase Now

Everyone on the job market today knows the phrase “soft skills.” It’s become as ubiquitous in hiring as “people person” and “detailed oriented.” But like these other phrases, “soft skills” has kind of lost its meaning over the years. That’s why we want to declare soft skills dead and replace them with something more effective. Soft skills are intangible traits, but they’re no less important and many may be hard skills. Here is the reason why these skills are no longer optional and what skills you need to bring to the table.

Why These Aren’t Soft Skills

Here’s the most important takeaway: if you rely on these skills every day, are they really “soft” skills? The truth is, things we categorize as soft skills are just as essential as the hard skills any employee brings to the table. That’s why we should stop differentiating between trained skills and the personal skills that enhance performance in the workplace.

Interpersonal Interaction

One such skill is interpersonal interaction. How does your team interact with each other, management, and the public? Not everyone is warm and fuzzy, and that’s okay. Putting the right people in the right places to take advantage of their specific interpersonal skills is just as important as ensuring that a financial department understands numbers.

Written and Spoken Communication

Probably the number one request for a “soft skill” is communication. But communication is not just a “nice to have,” it’s essential for almost every possible position within an organization. Even if you’re not communicating with customers, you still need to be accountable to the team and your managers. Not only do you need to communicate clearly in person, but our increasingly virtual workplace means written communication is also essential.

Leadership Qualities

Leadership skills are not just reserved for management. Anyone can demonstrate leadership, and it can be a very important skill to have in any position. Leadership skills also mean the potential for future growth, which is almost always the goal of any new hire. Employers want to work with candidates who can make decisions and inspire others to work smarter.

Problem Solving Skills

There are almost no jobs within any work environment where problem-solving is not necessary. Mistakes happen, and it’s not the mistake that’s the major issue; it’s how someone handles themselves in the aftermath. Without the ability to problem solve and think critically about solutions, you won’t be able to process how to make something right after something goes wrong.

Looking for a job That Best Utilizes Your Skills?

The team at CornerStone Staffing has customer service temp jobs in Tempe and Dallas.  Browse our online job portal, and apply today!

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