In this podcast, you’ll learn what soft skills are and how they are different from hard skills. We’ll give you some examples of soft skills so that you can widen your vocabulary and be prepared to answer questions related to soft skills if you find yourself in a job interview situation.
Audio message from Ezequiel from Argentina
English Expressions that could be rude or impolite: https://inglespodcast.com/498
How to be Indirect and make polite requests in English: https://inglespodcast.com/345
Intonation in English: https://inglespodcast.com/268
False friends (Spanish and English): https://inglespodcast.com/64
Thanks once again to Carmen from Málaga for giving us the idea for today’s podcast.
What’s the difference between soft skills and hard skills?
Hard skills
Hard skills are technical, job-specific abilities that can be taught, measured, and tested. You usually learn them through school, training, or experience.
Examples:
Programming in JavaScript
Accounting
Operating machinery
Data analysis
Typing speed
Podcasting experience
Musical training
Language proficiency
How are hard skills measured?
With exams, certificates, tests, or performance (e.g. how well you code, how fast you type, etc.)
Soft Skills
Soft skills are personal qualities and social abilities that help you work well with others and succeed in the workplace. They’re harder to measure but just as important.
Examples:
Communication
Teamwork
Time management
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Emotional intelligence
How are soft skills observed?
Through behaviour, feedback, and workplace interactions (e.g. how well you handle stress or cooperate with a team)
Soft skills include the following:
Communication skills
– Express ideas clearly, active listening, speak with confidence, get the message across
Teamwork
– Work well in a team, collaborate effectively, be a team player, share responsibilities (A great skill when properly put into practice. Sadly, in reality at work it often means being able to do what your boss thinks you should do with the rest of a team under his/her control!)
Problem-solving
– Tackle problems creatively, find solutions under pressure, think outside the box
Adaptability
– Adapt to change, flexible approach, thrive in a fast-paced environment
Time management
– Meet deadlines, prioritise tasks, manage your workload efficiently
Critical thinking
– Analyse situations logically, question assumptions, evaluate evidence. (Curiously, talked about more yet practised less in the 21st century than the previous century!)
Conflict resolution
– Resolve disputes calmly, find common ground, handle disagreements professionally
Decision-making
– Make informed decisions, weigh up options, take responsibility for decisions
Interpersonal skills
– Build strong relationships, interact positively, maintain good rapport
Attention to detail
– Be thorough and accurate, spot small errors, double-check your work
Self-motivation
– Work independently, stay focused, take initiative
Stress management
– Stay calm under pressure, handle stressful situations, maintain balance
Accountability
– Take ownership of tasks, admit mistakes, be answerable for results (For examples of this in action, rather than mere words, DON’T look to politicians!)
Presentation skills
– Speak confidently to an audience, structure a talk clearly, engage listeners
Humility
– Don’t overstate your abilities and know your limitations. The one so often left off the list of motivational speakers’/coaches’ list of how to be “the best version of yourself” these days! Perhaps the most debatable skill: praised as essential by the Dalai Lama; mocked by the archetypal alpha male.
…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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In next week’s episode: IKEA
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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’