ROAD TO SUCCESS: ESSENTIAL SOFT SKILL

30 Jun 2021

To survive in the gruelling world, people need to have a career and gain income. The better the career, the bigger the possibilities for one to lead to a prosperous life. To develop their career path, people need to know the important things that affect career development such as soft skills that are essential to be owned. Soft Skill itself is defined as personal and interpersonal behaviors that develop and maximize human performance. Soft skills do not include technical skills, such as financial, computer or assembly skills because soft skill is an intangible nontechnical ability (intingibile).

The greatest feature of soft skills is that the application of these skills is not limited to one’s profession and continually developed through practical application during one’s approach toward everyday life and the workplace. Different from hard skills, which are about a person’s skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity. It is found that soft skills account for as much as 70%-85% of an individual’s success, whereas hard skills or technical knowledge contribute only for the remaining 15%-30%. According to Tabbasum & Chowdhury (2019), there are many kinds of soft skills but there are some dimensions of soft skills that are essential for career success such as :

  • Communication skill

Communication is the process of transferring ideas and information from one to another. This includes oral and written communication, presenting and listening capability. With a good communication skill, individuals could create a wide network, bond and influence others to help them build their career.

  • Leadership 

Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal. This include the capability to develop, guide, direct and move others to achieve the common goal. That is why this skill will later be facilitated in team work. An individual with a good leadership skill can motivate and manage their people and thus, guide them to the path that leads to their goal.

  • Management skill 

Management skill is the capability to understand, develop and disseminate people and the skills they possess. This skill includes individuals planning, organizing, leadership, and controlling capability. With good management skills, individuals are often reliable because they can work independently. They can also delegate work efficiently, make a to-do list based on priority and organize daily work tasks. That’s why management skill is one of the fundamental soft skills that every career builder must have.

  • Problem solving skill

Problem solving skill is the ability to solve problems by defining the problems, determining the causes of problems, selecting various solution options and implementing these solutions. With good problem solving skills, an individual could help the company get out of a difficult situation and continue to thrive. 

  • Decision making skill 

Decision making skill is an individual’s capability to make their own decision. In decision making, one must be able to take the best choice out of the other choices by taking into account all existing aspects. This skill is important because every choice that has been made will affect one’s career development. With a wise and good decision, individuals can make a positive contribution to the company and be promoted to a higher position.

By actively participating in organizational activities, competitions and group projects, you can gain experiences and knowledge that are crucial in developing your soft skills. With a good set of skills, people could aim higher goals and achieve it. That’s why keep on polishing the skills that you have to prepare for your future!

 

References

Parsons, T. L. (2008). Definition: Soft skills. Retrieved from http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/soft-skills

Tabassum, T. & Chowdhury, S. (2019). SOFT SKILLS IN CAREER SUCCESS: CONSTRUCTIVIST INQUIRY, Journal of ELT and Education, 2(1), 27-35. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/42663474/SOFT_SKILLS_IN_CAREER_SUCCESS_A_CONSTRUCTIVIST_INQUIRY

Truong, H, T, T., & Laura, R, S. (2015). Essential Soft Skills for Successful Business Graduates in Vietnam. Sociology Study, 5(10), 759‐763. doi: 10.17265/2159‐5526/2015.10.001

Cristina Ellen Angelina