What is the most important soft skill to have when entering your career?

Hi Janelle,

One of the skills that I've found to be most relevant in my career is adaptability. From a high level of switching the industry I work in down to a smaller level of switching teams at work, what has helped me be successful is being able to adapt to new situations.

I work in tech as well as on a small team so things can be very dynamic and fast-moving. Adapting can mean learning a new tool or even just a meeting presentation changing at the last minute.

I've long been someone who doesn't like change but I developed a positive attitude toward facing whatever comes my way at work. In the example of learning a new tool, I pushed myself to learn more than "just enough", which set me apart from my co-workers. Your willingness to dive in and give it your all leads to experience which leads to confidence to tackle new situations more and more in the future.

For most tech related jobs having the ability to troubleshoot and figure things out are two of the most important to me when I consider applicant for employment. The others that would give you a leg up are interpersonal and communications skills.

Janelle,

Generally speaking, it is "people skills" - the ability to communicate effectively in all types of situations. It includes customer service, company meetings, day to day interactions, body language, tone of voice, etc. So much is done electronically these days that sometimes people don't know how to act in face to face interactions.

The entry-level retail/fast-food jobs that many people want to leave off their resumes because they are not "professional" positions really in fact convey that you are able to work in that environment, successfully.

It truly is not difficult to treat others the same way you would want your GRANDMOTHER to be treated. Start practicing now!

Best of luck!

Kim