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Soft skills and its application in work place

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Vasanthakumari Sundararajan at Wollega University
Vasanthakumari Sundararajan
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World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 03(02), 066–072
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews
e-ISSN: 2581-9615, Cross Ref DOI: 10.30574/wjarr
Journal homepage: https://www.wjarr.com
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Copyright © 2019 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.
(REVIEW ARTICLE)
Soft skills and its application in work place
S. Vasanthakumari
Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.
Publication history: Received on 30 August 2019; revised on 23 September 2019; accepted on 26 September 2019
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2019.3.2.0057
Abstract
Soft skills refer to a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that make someone a good
employee and compatible to work with. There are two types of skills viz hard and soft skill. Soft skills are important
for professional development, maintaining IPR and effective Communication. Soft skills include Inter personal and
Personal attributes that enhance an individual’s interactions, job performance and career prospects. There are many
key soft skills that need to be applied in work place .Hence Soft skills training should begin for a person when they are
students, to perform efficiently in their academic environment as well as in their future workplace.
Keywords: Soft skill; Hard skill; IPR; Communication; Soft skill training
1. Introduction
It's often said that hard skills will get you an interview but you need soft skills to get -- and keep -- the job. What makes
one stand out from others???
Good Soft Skills….Will help you STAND OUT in a crowd of mediocrity.
Soft skills are a synonym for ‘Peoples Skills’, ‘Interpersonal Skills’ and also ‘Transferable Skills” .Soft skills are Personal
attributes that enhance an individual’s interactions, job performance and career prospects. In other words they are
the subtle behaviours and communication styles that help make a work environment or interaction with another
person easier to manage. [1-7].
2. Literature review on significance of soft skills in work place
Studies by Stanford Research Institute and the Carnegie Mellon Foundation among Fortune 500 CEOs established that
75% of long term job success resulted from soft skills mastery and only 25% from technical skills. [7].
Researchers at Boston University, University of Michigan's Ross School of Business found that workers with soft skills
training are 12% more productive than those without them. [7].
Harvard University reported that 85% of success at the work place is attributed to Soft skills and only 15% to
technical skills. [6].
A public interest study conducted by McDonald’s in UK predicted over half a million people will be held back from job
sectors by 2020 due to lack of soft skills.[7].
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3. Types of soft skills in work place
Hard skills are the technical skills individual use each day to perform the job. Some examples would be computer skills
or procedural knowledge applied in job. [3, 4, 6].
Unlike hard skills, which can be proven and measured, Soft skills are intangible and difficult to quantify and they help
facilitate human connections. Hard skills, tend to be specific to a certain type of task, soft skills are broadly applicable.
[3, 4, 6].
4. Soft skills: defined
Soft skills refer to a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that make someone a good
employee and compatible to work with According to Collins English Dictionary term "soft skills" defined as "desirable
qualities for certain forms of employment that do not depend on acquired knowledge: they include common sense, the
ability to deal with people, and a positive flexible attitude." [5, 6].
5. Why do soft skills matter?
Soft skills are a combination of people skills, social skills, communication skills, character or personality traits,
attitudes, career attributes, social and emotional intelligence, intelligence quotients, that enable people to navigate
their environment, work well with others, perform well, and achieve their goals with complementing hard skills. [7, 8].
Soft skills differentiate between adequate candidates and ideal candidates. [7, 8].
In most competitive job markets, recruitment criteria do not stop at technical ability and specialist knowledge.
Recruiters will be looking for people who can become leaders, and leadership, itself, depends on several key soft skills.
[6, 7, 8].
Soft skills acts as key in building relationships, gaining visibility, and creating more opportunities for advancement. [7,
8].
6. Importance of soft skill [2, 5, 6]
To handle interpersonal relations
To take appropriate decisions
To communicate effectively
To have good impression and impact to gain professional development
7. Soft Skills: Examples [6, 7, 8]
7.1. Interpersonal attributes
Empathy, Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Good manners, Ability to teach, Works well with diversity, Self-
confidence
7.2. Personal attributes
Optimism, Responsibility, Sense of humor, Integrity, Time management, Motivation, Common Sense
8. Key soft skills required [4, 6, 7, 8]
8.1. Communication skill
Communication skills form the corner stone of Soft Skill. It is a process through which a message is exchanged from
the sender to the receiver and vice versa.
S. Vasanthakumari / World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 03(02), 066–072
68
Figure 1 Good Communication
8.1.1. Verbal communication
It is essential to communicate appropriately with colleagues, seniors and subordinates to avoid any sort of
misunderstanding and misinterpretation at the workplace.
Language
It is a tool which is used to communicate a message from one to one another of the same group. It is also called as
verbal communication.
Important facts about language
The grammar has to be properly used to during all the conversations.
Always think before you talk
Use simple and short sentences to convey your messages.
Avoid using complex and long sentences.
Don’t use verbal and nonverbal fillers during the conversation.
Grammar
It is a set of guidelines which tells us clearly how, when and where to use the words of any given language.
The rate of speech
To communicate clearly, a rate of speech plays a vital role. An average rate of speed should be maintained to deliver
the message clearly. The average speed of a perfect speaker is around 130 to 160 words per minute.
8.1.2. Non-verbal communication
Body language, also called as a nonverbal communication. It presents to the audience what we feel & think about the
particular matter.
Body language
It is a natural representation which is inbuilt within each and every living organism in this world. It is also known as
the first language of the world.
S. Vasanthakumari / World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 03(02), 066–072
69
Figure 2 Non Verbal Communication
8.1.3. Written Communication Skill
Writing evaluates a person’s proficiency indications, spelling, grammar etc.
8.1.4. Presentation skills
Include planning, preparation & delivery of the message. Making a formal speech is one form of presentation.
Presentation skills can be broadly categorized into physical, oral, & electronic.
8.2. Team work
It is the collaborative effort of a team to achieve a common goal or to complete a task in the most effective and efficient
way. People of either gender, different age groups, qualification, status & skills work as a team with a common
objective of accomplishing the task.
8.3. Professional ethics
It is defined as the personal and corporate rules that govern behaviour within the context of a particular profession.
8.4. Interpersonal skills
It is the ability to communicate or interact well with other people. Man is a social animal & his success in life largely
depends on his relationship & interaction with others.
8.5. Interpersonal skills and Personal chemistry
Interpersonal Defined: of or pertaining to the relations between persons, Personal Chemistry: In the context of
relationships, it is a simple "emotion" that people get when they share a special connection. It is important in
Interpersonal relationship to decide who will be with each other.
8.6. Time management and how to work under pressure
“Time management” is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities.
Good time management enables you to work smarter – not harder – so that you get more done in less time, even when
time is tight and pressures are high. Failing to manage time damages the effectiveness and causes stress.
8.7. Leadership
Leadership is the ability to influence others, with or without authority. All successful endeavors are the result of
human effort; thus, the ability to influence others is a derivation of Interpersonal Communications, Conflict
Management, Problem Solving / Decision Making.
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Figure 3 Leadership Skills
8.8. Critical thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.
8.9. Problem solving
Problem solving is the act of defining a problem, determining the cause of the problem, identifying, prioritizing and
selecting alternatives for a solution, and implementing a solution.
8.10. Creativity
It is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving
problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.
8.11. Conflict resolution
It is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict
and retribution.
8.12. Negotiation
It is a method by which people settle differences. It is a process by which compromise or agreement is reached while
avoiding argument and dispute.
8.13. Decision making
It is the cognitive process resulting in the selection of a belief or a course of action among several alternative
possibilities.
8.14. Self-motivation
It is the ability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations.
8.15. Self confidence
It is self-assurance in one's personal judgment, ability, power etc.
8.16. Self awareness
It is the capacity for introspection and the ability to recognize oneself as an individual separate from the environment
and other individuals.
S. Vasanthakumari / World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 03(02), 066–072
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9. Soft skills used in work place [2, 5, 6, 7]
Communication skills, Body language
Team skills
Ways to manage time
Stress Management strategies – Changing one’s Focus (diversional activities)
Leadership strategies
Critical thinking - Now a day’s no need to think there is a box but simply realize there is no box
Showing kindness and courtesy
Being Flexible and Adaptable
Maintaining Eye contact, Using common sense
Intelligence quotient (IQ)
EI-Emotional intelligence
Positive work ethics and attitude
Maintaining good personal appearance
Understanding what the world is about (what’s going on in the news?)
Willingness to take instruction and responsibility
Able to relate to co-workers in a close environment
Not expecting to be promoted within the first six month
Membership and Volunteering
10. Good basic life lesson to be learnt to be successful at work place [6, 7, 8]
You are responsible for yourself
Don’t be afraid of something. Learn about it!
Skill and Technical competency is the core of your career!
What you don’t know may hurt you, or hold you back
Develop important soft skills
Build on your strengths; target weaknesses
What you don’t know may hurt you, or hold you back
Don’t be afraid of something. Learn about it!
Build on your strengths ; target weaknesses
Develop important soft skills
Skill and Technical competency is the core of your career!
The Choice is yours
With a Bad attitude you can never have a positive day
With a Positive Attitude you can never have a bad day
11. Preparation of a resume and self-introduction: [7, 8, 9]
Push the soft skills during self introduction, in resume and during job interview
High light the Soft skill while describing yourself, narrating work history/ experience
In curriculum vitae, mention one or two of the skills, and give specific examples of instances when you
demonstrated these traits at work.
When you attend an interview, remember that this is your first chance to show your interpersonal skills to
your prospective employers.
Be professional, make eye contact, shake hands, listen closely to the questions and answer them fully.
S. Vasanthakumari / World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 03(02), 066–072
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12. How to improve your soft skills [1, 9]
Take online courses
Get feedback from others
Practice with a friend
Get a coach
13. Conclusion
Hard skills help to acquire employment and Soft skills helps to ensure the employability. Hence it is essential to
integrate hard skills with soft skills to fast track the career. Soft skill is an umbrella term for skills under three key
functional elements: people skills, social skills, and personal career attributes. Experts say soft skills training should
begin for a person when they are students, to perform efficiently in their academic environment as well as in their
future workplace. [1, 2, 6]
Pick one skill…work on it….Practice!
Compliance with ethical standards
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge Wollega University and my Pediatric Nursing Department Heads Mr. Werku Etafa M.Sc(N)
and Mr. Bizuneh Wakuma M.Sc(N), Dean Mr. Eba Abdissa M.Sc(N), Head of Department (Nursing) Tadele Amente
Belisa M.Sc(N), Research Technology Transfer Post Graduate Coordinator Mr. Motumma MPH(RH).
Disclosure of conflict of interest
Author declare that there are no conflicts of interest in any form.
References
[1] Silber H, Kenneth and Foshay RW. (2009). Handbook of Improving Performance in the Workplace,
Instructional Design and Training Delivery, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 63.
[2] Anju A. (2009). A Holistic Approach to Soft Skills Training. IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 3(1), 7-11.
[3] Dennis R Laker and Jimmy LP. (2011). The differences between hard and soft skills and their relative impact
on training transfer. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 22(1), 111–122.
[4] Jane A and Helen H. (2008). Graduate Employability, ‘Soft Skills’ Versus ‘Hard Skills’ Business Knowledge: A
European Study, Journal of Higher Education in Europe, 33(4), 412- 422.
[5] Jungsun K, Mehmet E, JeoungWoo B and Hwayoung J. (2011). Training soft skills via e-learning, International
Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 23(6), 739-763.
[6] www.workforce.com
[7] https://www.thebalancecareers.com/list-of-soft-skills-2063770
[8] https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-are-soft-skills-2060852
[9] https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/interview-advice/competencies/soft-skills
How to cite this article
S. Vasanthakumari. (2019). Soft skills and its application in work place. World Journal of Advanced Research and
Reviews, 3(2), 66-72.
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Training soft skills via e-learning
  • Jan 2011
  • Int J Contemp Hospit Manag
  • 739-763
  • K Jungsun
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