When starting your career journey, understanding your career interests and matching those interests to a career path is important. But equally important is understanding the importance of and demonstrating soft skills. Soft skills are key to effective communication and workplace productivity, and involve elements such as problem solving, critical thinking, social and emotional skills, and adaptability. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, soft skills are important for work readiness, with teamwork, problem-solving skills and adaptability identified as the key to success in the 21st century workplace.
Numerous research studies have been conducted on the importance of and impact of soft skills in the workplace. A study conducted by Harvard University found that 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft skills. In an article from Newman University, the top five skills that employers look for are discussed and include, critical thinking, and problem solving, teamwork and collaboration, strong work ethic, and oral and written communication skills. Up next, I will explore these soft skills in more detail.