When applying for a job, there are many options available to you to optimize your CV and improve your chances of being selected. The most important thing remains alignment with what the company is looking for in terms of skills. Business Cool reveals what 93% of recruiters are looking for in soft skills.
Beyond technical skills, recruiters today are primarily looking for an employee with strong interpersonal and human qualities. This is the role of soft skills which bring together all the non-technical skills which define the person and which make them unique. Unlike technical skills, behavioral skills cannot be replaced by robots.
To make an impression on the recruiter, you can consult the company’s website to see where their priorities lie in terms of experience, values and attitude to adopt. Another important point not to neglect is soft skills. An overwhelming majority of recruiters say that “soft skills play an essential role in the final hiring decision”underlined Ian Siegel, co-founder and CEO of ZipRecruiterin the report The Job Market Outlook for Grads.
What are soft skills?
The literal translation of soft skill is usually “ soft skills ” Or ” soft skill“. This is a very broad notion that covers a large number of concepts. We are talking here about skills, qualities and character traits. To see things more clearly, psychologist Cécile Jarleton distinguishes three dimensions in soft skills:
- personality traits;
- emotional states;
- the skills that can be acquired and strengthened.
Soft skills include a wide range of abilities. Kristin Kelley, Marketing Director at CareerBuilder, explains CNBC Make It : “I would say that in general, communication tops the list of most sought-after soft skills, given that people work in very different situations, especially with hybrid starting to take hold. »
Generally speaking, soft skills are the set of human, relational and behavioral qualities, which are not technical and which allow us to evolve in life, both personal and professional.
Soft skills can be compared to transversal or transferable skills, given that they do not concern a single profession or sector of activitybut can be requested in any situation. For example, the “ listening skills » is transversal given that it can be used in both a sales and consulting position.
ZipRecruiter has compiled some of the most sought-after soft skills on its platform and revealed them to the general public.
The soft skills most sought after by recruiters in 2022
- Communication : Having oral, written and non-verbal fluency is an essential condition for standing out in the professional environment. The proof is that it ranks at the top of the soft-kills most sought after by employers with 6.1 million jobs requiring this skill
- Customer service/after-sales : The coronavirus pandemic has changed customer service and served as a catalyst for the digitalization of trade around the world. It then becomes crucial to focus on this aspect to attract and retain customers, which represents the basis of the sustainability of a business. Number of jobs mentioning this skill: 5.5 million.
- Scheduling (sense of organization) : This soft skill will not only allow you to work more calmly and efficiently – optimize your days without forgetting a few breaks to recharge your batteries and feel a certain satisfaction -, but also to be appreciated by your superiors as well as by your collaborators and colleagues . Number of jobs listing this skill: 5 million.
- Optimal time management : This skill consists of making the most of your time and managing to be productive even in a very limited period of time. Number of jobs listing this soft skill: 3.6 million.
- Project management : It is the ability to carry out a project from A to Z and to know how to deal with the various unforeseen events that a person may face. Number of jobs listing the skill: 2.8 million.
- Analytical mind : The ability to solve problems becomes essential, especially in a complex and unforeseen world like ours. This begins with an analytical mind and an ability to find solutions using key resources made available to candidates. Number of jobs requiring this skill : 2.7 million
- Ability to work independently : With teleworking being imposed on us, it is becoming important for recruiters to look for candidates who are able to demonstrate autonomy and manage remotely. In other words, an autonomous candidate is able to take initiatives and manage their time while setting coherent priorities. Number of jobs mentioning this soft skill : 2 million
- Flexibility : Flexibility consists of a person’s ability to adapt to a problem. Faced with an unstable environment, this skill is essential. More than 1.3 million many job offers mention this soft skill.
