Research conducted at Harvard and Stanford Universities suggests that only 15% of career success can be attributed to hard skills, while the remaining 85% is influenced by what are commonly referred to as soft skills. Job skills encompass various terms such as ‘Life Skills’, ‘Emotional Intelligence Quotients’, ‘Social Skills’, and ‘Interpersonal Skills’. These skills, which are often perceived as intangible and subjective, are crucial for effective collaboration and communication with others. While not always explicitly taught in traditional classrooms, soft skills can be developed and honed over time. In the contemporary job market, these skills are essential across all sectors for securing prominent positions. This article will explore the key soft skills necessary for achieving success in the professional realm.

The following are five necessary skills needed to secure a high-paying job

1. Communication

Effective communication involves understanding the context of the message being conveyed and creating a sense of confidence in the speaker that their words are valuable and impactful. Ensuring a harmonious alignment between verbal and nonverbal cues is crucial in conveying a coherent message. For students, communication skills extend beyond expressing their own thoughts; they also encompass active listening to foster empathy and a deeper understanding of others' perspectives. To enhance communication skills, it is essential to be mindful of one's tone, avoiding extremes in volume and maintaining a polite and respectful demeanor. The ability to listen attentively is equally important, as it not only ensures a thorough understanding of the message but also improves one's capability to respond effectively.

2. Leadership

Employees possessing strong leadership job skills prove effective in inspiring and motivating their peers, adeptly guiding them while setting high benchmarks for performance and conduct. Successful leaders harbor a vision for growth, consistently striving to enhance their capabilities and contribute to the organization's objectives. Leadership involves the ability to make challenging decisions and navigate through crises, a particularly valuable trait in the context of startups and small businesses. Leaders excel in handling difficult individuals and resolving workplace conflicts, exhibiting a positive influence on their team. True leaders possess the capacity to rekindle and invigorate the ambitions and passions of their team members, addressing their needs and concerns. Critical thinking is a crucial attribute for high-profile job roles, as leaders can anticipate and proactively address potential issues, devising preventive measures to ensure smooth operations.

3. Team work

Collaborative job skills are crucial as they enhance problem-solving capabilities. When individuals leverage each other's expertise and knowledge, they can devise practical and effective solutions. Additionally, teamwork fosters an environment ripe for innovation, where the convergence of ideas from diverse industries and cultures sparks creativity. The exchange of different perspectives often leads to the generation of new and improved ideas. Moreover, employees generally find greater satisfaction in working within a team rather than in isolation, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic when many expressed a desire to return to the office. A positive team dynamic, characterized by encouragement, inspiration, and camaraderie, can significantly reduce stress levels and boost overall productivity. To enhance teamwork skills, it is essential to recognize that tasks are not individual pursuits but contribute to a shared goal that every team member is working towards. Creating a nurturing and supportive environment further contributes to fostering positive attitudes within the team.

4. Creativity

Possessing creative job skills is highly valuable as it allows individuals to capture diverse ideas, thoughts, and perspectives on the world. For young individuals, creativity empowers them to advocate not only for themselves but also for others. Confidence is cultivated through creativity, making individuals less susceptible to the influence of others' opinions. While not all creatively generated ideas may be immediately practical, they form the foundation for innovative solutions. Innovation is contingent on a creative component, as it provides the space to work more intelligently, thereby increasing productivity and overcoming workplace stagnation. To enhance creative thinking skills gradually, one can initiate the process by exploring new experiences. Another effective strategy is to broaden one's reading scope beyond their comfort zone. Additionally, engaging in brainstorming sessions emerges as a beneficial approach for continuous improvement of creative thinking skills over time.

5. Time management

To thrive in life, recognizing the significance of time and mastering efficient management is essential. Proficiency in time management allows for the systematic organization of tasks, ensuring their completion within specified deadlines. For instance, when seeking employment, allocating time for resume updates, job searches, company research, applications, and interview preparation is crucial. A dedicated daily schedule for job-related activities enhances the chances of securing the right position. Effective time management provides the opportunity to thoroughly review job postings and identify those aligning with personal needs. Enhancing time management skills involves creating and strictly adhering to a schedule, setting deadlines for tasks, and efficiently managing calendars. Accurate event documentation ensures punctuality in meetings and interviews, contributing to overall time management improvement.

Leading platforms recently launched the soft skills training program

ServiceNow has partnered with Udemy to integrate over 75 "power skills" courses into its Now Learning platform, aligning soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and analytical thinking with essential technical competencies. This collaboration combines Udemy's expertise as a leading online skills marketplace with ServiceNow's position as a top digital workflow company. The integration aims to enhance ServiceNow's training offerings by covering a diverse range of skills, including artificial intelligence, design thinking, project management, active listening, and conflict resolution.

Verizon has introduced a new online education portal in collaboration with edX, a prominent global online learning platform by 2U. This initiative aims to assist students in acquiring and upgrading skills for the rapidly growing job market. According to recent research, a significant portion of the workforce lacks the fundamental skills required for current employment opportunities. The program, known as Verizon Skill Forward, initially launched in 2020, will utilize Verizon's newly established partnership with edX to provide tuition-free access to technical and professional pathways in high-demand industry sectors, with Verizon covering the associated costs for learners.

In an interaction with siliconindia magazine, Bharath Rajanna, Founder & CEO, Edupinnacle highlighting about one such company Edupinnacle says, "With personalized learning experiences, mentorship by industry experts, and career placement assistance, the company empowers individuals to acquire in-demand skills, bridge the gap between education and employment, and thrive in today's competitive job market".

How have soft skills impacted career growth?

A Harvard Business Review study highlights that 85% of job success is attributed to well-developed soft skills. As technology advances, the significance of these human qualities is growing, enabling workers to collaborate effectively, lead teams, and offer creative problem-solving. Nearly half of companies acknowledge the effectiveness of skills development to connect talent with job opportunities. Soft skills like critical thinking, complex problem-solving, resilience, flexibility, creativity, originality, initiative, and emotional intelligence are identified as key skills that global employers anticipate gaining prominence by 2025. Recognizing this trend, major corporations like Google and Amazon emphasize the importance of soft skills such as learnability and problem-solving for a successful career within their organizations.

Government initiative for promoting soft skills

• The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has launched the Employability Enhancement Training Program (EETP) across Engineering and Polytechnic Institutions in the North Eastern States. The aim is to improve the competency skills of graduating students.

• The NEEM Scheme, also known as the National Employability Enhancement Scheme, is a key collaborative effort between the Government of India and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Its purpose is to identify and support motivated job-seekers by fostering the development of their practical skills for personal improvement.

• The Prime Minister's Skill Development Scheme, known as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), is the primary initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and is executed by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Conclusion

The article emphasizes that while there are numerous job skills, the most crucial ones are spotlighted. It predicts a future where companies prioritize individuals possessing strong soft skills. Those with excellent interpersonal abilities are anticipated to excel in their roles, adept at managing challenging scenarios, engaging in effective communication with colleagues, and collaborating harmoniously to attain shared objectives. The article underscores the significance of soft skills in both personal and professional development, asserting that investing in these skills is instrumental for career success. Soft skills are critical for professional success in today's job market. Employers are looking for individuals who can communicate effectively, solve problems, manage their time, and lead others. By developing and sharpening your soft skills, you'll not only improve your career prospects but also improve your overall quality of life.