Intangible Skills That Can Help You Succeed At Work
Your dream job is out there. You just need to find it. And, to do that, you need to focus on your skills – intangible skills that are essential to any career and regardless of any industry. Often referred to as soft skills or intangible skills, these are the traits that set you apart from other candidates. So what are these skills? And how can you develop them? In this blog post, we will discuss the job search process and what are the intangible skills that can get you hired now!
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We'll also provide tips on how to improve these skills and make yourself a more desirable candidate for any position. Let's get started!
What are intangible skills?
When it comes to getting hired and succeeding in the workplace, a degree isn’t necessarily enough. Nor is years of experience on the job. There are other skills that are just as important as the traditional work-related skills you’ll need. There’s no denying the importance of having strong intangible skills.
Intangible skills are those abilities that cannot be measured or observed. However, they are essential for success in any career. These skills include things like problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, communication skills, emotional intelligence and teamwork. While these skills may not be easy to quantify, they are nonetheless essential for success in your career.
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Here are six intangible skills below that are essential for success—all of which you can teach yourself to practice in your day-to-day interactions:
Leadership
The ability to lead is one of the most important intangible skills you can have. Leaders are able to inspire and motivate others to achieve common goals. If you want to be a leader, start by taking on small leadership roles within your current company. You can also join professional organizations or volunteer groups where you can hone your leadership skills.
Communication Skills
Strong communication skills are essential for any career, both verbal and written communication skills. After all, how can you get your point across if you cannot communicate effectively? With effective writing skills, writing clear messages makes it easier for others to understand your ideas and thoughts. To improve your communication skills, start by paying attention to your body language and tone of voice. Then, practice active listening—that is, really hearing what the other person is saying instead of just waiting for your turn to speak and of course remembering to ask follow-up questions. With regards to your written skills it is possible to take a short course on effective professional communication.
Being Trainable
Being coachable or trainable is another one of those skills that employers value. When you’re applying to jobs, you want to put your best foot forward, presenting to a prospective employer that you’re completely able to do the job. That said, you don’t want to appear as if you’re possibly a know-it-all or untrainable. If you give off a been-there-done-that impression, it could be a big turn off.
That’s why you should know how to present your past experience and skills in a way that shows the employer that you’re qualified for the job, but also eager to learn the policies and practices in order to be a successful employee, too. his means having the ability to take direction and feedback, and then apply it to your work. If you’re not sure if you’re coachable, think about how you react when your boss or supervisor gives you feedback on your performance.
Emotional Intelligence
Also known as EQ, emotional intelligence is the ability to be aware and understand your own emotions and the emotions of others around you. Individuals with high emotional intelligence are able to regulate their emotions, respond effectively to emotions in others, and create positive relationships. If you want to improve your EQ, start by practising mindfulness and self-awareness. You can also try journaling or attending workshops on emotional intelligence.
Problem-Solving Skills
The ability to solve problems is essential for any career—after all, every job entails some degree of problem-solving. In any job, it is important that you are able to independently assess a problem and come up with an effective solution, the best way forward and even better introduce a process improvement. To improve your problem-solving skills, start by brainstorming creative solutions to problems you face in your daily life or work. Then, practice thinking outside the box and challenging yourself to come up with creative solutions.
Critical Thinking Skills
lastly, critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and make sound judgments. Individuals who are good at critical thinking are able to assess a situation, identify the key issues, and develop a course of action. If you want to improve your critical thinking skills, start by practising brainstorming and problem-solving.
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How can you develop these intangible skills?
The most in-demand skills that employers crave are the intangible but important qualities that enable you to work and interact with the people around you effectively. These are just a few of the intangible skills that are essential for success in any career. So if you're looking to get hired, start by focusing on developing these skills! With hard work and dedication, you can land your dream job in no time. A career notebook is a handy tool to use to write down and keep track of your growth.
There are a few ways to accomplish this:
- Take on new challenges at work
This is a great way to show employers that you're capable of more than just the day-to-day tasks of your job. By taking on new challenges, you're demonstrating your ability to think outside the box and come up with solutions to problems.
- Get involved in professional development
Whether it's taking a class or joining a professional organization, getting involved in professional development is a great way to hone your skills and show employers that you're committed to your career.
- Practice active listening
This means really paying attention to what the other person is saying and asking follow-up questions. Active listening is a great way to build relationships and show that you're interested in what others have to say.
- Practice professional writing skills
With effective professional writing skills, your message can be understood by your peers in a better way. You can take a class or join a professional organization where you can get feedback on your writing. This is a great way to hone your skills and show employers that you're committed to your career.
By focusing on developing these intangible skills, you'll be sure to impress potential employers and land your dream job in no time! So if you're looking to get hired, start by focusing on developing these skills!
What other intangible skills do you think are essential for success in any career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you're ready to finally move forward in the next phase of your career, to make the kind of money you know you deserve, to be excited about your work, to have a career and not a job, then get your free Career Clarity Worksheet by clicking here.