Five Soft Skills That Will Help You Land a Job

The ability to solve a problem is often more important to an employer than someone who never makes any mistakes. After all, we’re only human. So, while it might be tempting to answer the popular “tell us about a time you resolved conflict” question by saying you’ve never encountered any, it won’t win you any brownie points. 

University life is filled with problems that need to be overcome, so pick a real example and show you’re able to deal with problematic issues in a mature and thoughtful manner.

The majority of jobs will require you to work with other people, so it’s essential you can show you’re a team player at interview. Employers will often ask you for an example of a time you had to work as part of a team, and what role you played within it. They don’t necessarily want to hear you were the leader of the pack, instead they’re interested to hear how you contributed to the project. 

While it might be tempting to say you’re a brilliant and confident team leader, it’s going to be obvious you might not be telling the truth if you’re the shy retiring type. Instead, focus on your best attributes. Maybe your excellent time management skills helped to keep the project on track?

Work can be tough at times, and your new potential employer wants to see you’re the sort of person who won’t crumble under pressure. Having to cope with university deadlines and exams can put even the coolest of cucumbers under stress, so you’re already well equipped to demonstrate how you have the ability to keep calm and collected.

The workplace can be a changeable thing, and sometimes you might have to roll up your sleeves and help with a task or project you’re not entirely familiar with. You might even have to work a few extra hours here or there when there’s a tight deadline coming up. Your new employer will want to see whether you’re flexible, with a can-do attitude. So, if they ask you how you might feel about going the extra mile, respond in a positive way.

Before your reach interview stage, be sure to have a few examples up your sleeve. All through university, whether it be through team exercises or personal projects, you’ll have inadvertently been building up an arsenal of soft skills. Some universities are also teaching soft skills alongside their degree courses, so if you’re lucky enough to get the opportunity, grab it with both hands.

Emily Valentine writes graduate careers advice for Inspiring Interns. Opportunities on their books include graduate marketing jobs, and graduate jobs Manchester.

(Lead image: Will Folsom (Flickr))