Soft Skills

Now that you have a job or are close to getting one, let's talk about soft skills.  Do you have them?  Perhaps you don't even know what they are!  We'll begin with a definition.  According to Investopedia, soft skills are "the character traits and interpersonal skills that characterize a person's relationships with other people.  In the work place, soft skills are considered a complement to hard skills, which refer to a person's knowledge and occupational skills."  Soft skills are vital for not only getting and keeping your new job, but also for excelling in it.  In fact, the California Career Café says that "85% of your career success depends on your people skills"!   There is a wealth of information available about soft skills.  Let's get started!


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The Pure Michigan Talent Connect website offers a wealth of information about Soft Skills.  It includes articles and videos.  Click on the image to the left to explore.

Now check out these videos to learn tips for improving your soft skills. MALC also offers courses on soft skills.  Contact us to find out more!

What are Soft Skills?  An Introduction

Tiffany Daniels talks about the importance of several soft skills:  collaboration, professionalism, communication and problem solving.  Click on picture above to learn more. 

An Overview of Soft Skills

This 19-minute video is packed full of suggestions for improving your soft skills from the time you are in school through several years into your perfect job!  If you can't absorb it all in one sitting, watch bits of it at a time.  It will be worth it!  Then check out the list and videos that California Career Café offers.  You've got lots of information to absorb, so you better get started!

Need Help in a Specific Area?  Check out these videos and articles.

BODY LANGUAGE
If body language is over 50% of our communication to others AND OURSELVES, we need to focus on how to carry ourselves in a more confident manner.  
This video will help.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Getting to the job on time and managing your work load there and at home is very important. These tips might help you.  MindTools is another source offering wonderful time management tips.  Check it out too!
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Good relationships depend on good communication.  Click on the picture above to read an article by Inc.com with great tips on how to improve your communication skills.  When you are finished, see what awesome tips MindTools offers.
PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Employers need team members who can solve the problems that are set before them.  Click on the image above to access tips from problem-solving expert, Tim Hicks.  When you finish, check out the awesome pointers that MindTools offers.  
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Don't underestimate the importance of clear writing.  You can stunt your own career by poorly expressing yourself in written form.  Click on the icon above to watch a video and read an article that will help you with this area.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Click on the image above to visit MindTools' leadership page and learn more about releasing the leader within you!  Another resource you may want to check out is California Career Café's information on being a leader. 
Congratulations!  
You have reached the end of our online Job Readiness Resource.  We invite you to contact us if there is any way we can be of assistance to you.  Your journey continues at MALC!  We look forward to hearing from you.