PETALING JAYA: Bosses looking for the right people prefer to hire those with soft skills.
Here’s a list of top skills that will help you stand out in their eyes:
1. Communication: Employers look for candidates who are effective in verbal and written communication skills, especially in English, with the ability to listen actively and convey ideas clearly.
2. Teamwork and collaboration: The ability to work well in diverse teams and collaborate with colleagues from different backgrounds, as many jobs require employees to work together on projects.
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3. Problem-solving and critical thinking: Bosses appreciate those who can think critically, analyse information, and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems.
4. Adaptability: With technology rapidly changing the business environment, the ability to learn quickly is an essential trait, besides being open to new ideas and technologies.
5. Leadership: This is a good trait to display even for entry- level positions. Leadership qualities include taking initiative, assuming responsibility, and motivating others.
6. Emotional intelligence: The ability to understand and manage your own emotions and effectively navigate interpersonal relationships.
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7. Customer service orientation: This is essential for roles that involve interaction with clients. Good service skills are crucial to ensure a positive customer experience.
8. Cross-cultural awareness: Malaysia has a diverse workforce; hence, it is important for employees to be culturally sensitive and able to work with people from different backgrounds.
9. Networking and relationship building: This is to build professional networks, besides maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and industry contacts.
10. Resilience and stress management: Employees should have the ability to handle stress and bounce back from setbacks.
The list is provided by Korn Ferry Malaysia country managing director Anthony Raja Devadoss, who also emphasised the importance of digital skills.
