1. Soft & Transferable Skills

2. Soft Skills
These are character traits and interpersonal skills that characterize a person’s relationships with other people
Have more to do with who we are than what we know
Include personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces
Decide how well we interact with others

3. Soft Skills Statistics
93% of U.S. employers say soft skills are “weighed more heavily” when looking at job candidates than a candidate’s academic credentials
80% of workers age 18 to 34 believe they are "job ready and possess all the skills, experience and education needed to advance in their desired career path or obtain their next job."
Only 16% of year-olds surveyed see soft skills as necessary for career advancement.
In other words, 84% of potential employees don’t value the skills that 93% of employers want!
Wakefield Research

4. What Employers say about Soft Skills
"Job-seekers need to start marketing themselves based on the skills, competencies and traits employers need and value most.”
“I would say that they [college graduates] are falling short in knowing how to work as part of a team, conflict resolution and just overall communications”
47% of employers think young workers have a poor work ethic
A National Association of Colleges and Employers report identified the ability to make decisions, solve problems, and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people among those qualities most prized by employers.
From: Employers find applicants soft on 'soft skills‘ &
College Graduates Suffer From a Lack of "Soft Skills"

5. Soft Skills Generally broken down into two categories:
Interpersonal attributes
Working with others
Personal attributes
Working on our own

6. Examples of Interpersonal Attributes
Working with others
Empathy
Leadership
Communication
Teamwork
Good manners
Ability to teach others
Works well with diversity
Self-confidence

7. Examples of Personal Attributes
Working on your own
Optimism
Responsibility
Integrity
Time management
Motivation
Common sense
Flexibility
Problem solving
Willing to learn

8. Soft Skills Traditionally one of the most difficult things to teach
The most common reason for:
Not hiring
Not promoting
Focus on your soft skills and practice using them:
At school
At your part-time job
With your family and friends
For performance evaluations

9. It is often said that technical skills will get you an interview, but you need soft skills to get and keep the job!

10. Soft Skills
Complete your soft skills inventory and be ready to discuss.