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Soft Skills – What Are They and How Can You Develop Them in Student Jobs?
You've probably heard about the importance of soft skills in the workplace numerous times. These "soft skills" are crucial not only at work but also during your university studies and within your circle of friends. They can help you perform better at job interviews and improve your workplace relationships; the sky's the limit!
Since perfecting soft skills requires attention and time, we'll provide a few brief examples to explain what we mean by soft skills and how you can polish them during your student job days!
The World of Soft Skills – What Exactly Are They?
Soft skills refer to personal and social attributes that help you navigate and perform effectively in the workplace. Unlike hard skills, which are learned abilities like speaking English at an intermediate level or proficiency in Microsoft Office, soft skills are not explicitly teachable but can be developed. Research has categorized soft skills in various ways; here are a few that might be essential during your student job:
- Flexibility
- Communication skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Openness to feedback
- Creativity
Clearly, soft skills are less tangible than hard skills and aren't learned in the traditional sense like a language. However, here are some tips on how you can successfully enhance these soft skills during your summer student job!
Creativity – Develop One of the Most Unique Soft Skills!
Creativity is one of the toughest soft skills to develop. However, like other skills, it's not impossible to improve, and your student job can help! If you find yourself with less to do during your job, instead of idling, start brainstorming. What could make your job easier? How could customer satisfaction be improved? What recurring problems arise during your job? By seeking solutions to existing and potential issues, you can significantly enhance your creativity. Moreover, if you share your initial ideas with your supervisor, they're likely to appreciate it. This way, improving your soft skills could even aid your career advancement.
Unleash the Communicator Within!
Communication is one of the most crucial soft skills. It's vital for workplace interactions that you can express yourself clearly and convey any issues you might have. If you're not naturally verbose, step out of your comfort zone and take on a job that forces you to develop this skill. Cashier, host, and hostess positions are perfect for this! These jobs require you to interact with various people, thereby training your verbal skills. A well-equipped communication toolkit will also serve you well in interviews, so it's worth paying significant attention to this soft skill.
Flexibility Against the World’s Challenges
Flexibility is an indispensable soft skill when unexpected situations arise. It’s easy to cling to your routine activities and habits, but in the professional world, the ability to adapt to changes is highly valued. When asked to take on an unfamiliar task at work, accept it! Being open to changes not only helps you handle daily challenges more effectively but also enhances your adaptability, a soft skill that will prove invaluable throughout your career.
With the Development of Soft Skills, You Might Even Earn a Promotion
The world is changing by the minute; it's time to arm yourself to overcome these challenges effectively! If you liked this post, leave a comment on our Facebook page and tell us which soft skill you would like more student job tips on! Now, take a look at our job offers and start developing your soft skills through student jobs. Ready, set, search!
