Are you looking for a job? Recently there’s been a lot of new evidence about what’s holding job applicants back in today’s competitive market.
It’s a lack of soft skills.
Everyone needs excellent soft skills now and at every level of an organisation. The education system isn’t set up to answer this demand, and as a consequence, most people lack the requisite levels.
Through our charity, Barrier Breakers Foundation, we train disadvantaged young people in the whole range of soft skills. Low levels of soft skills have been shown to disproportionately affect this group, so these programmes make a huge difference in their lives.
However, research shows that poor soft skills affect all young people’s prospects, including graduates. Job applicants lack the necessary soft skills, including communication, leadership and teamworking.
Organisations are responding to this problem. McKinsey’s 2021 global skills survey found that companies addressing soft skills had nearly doubled in a year. But, of course, organisations would prefer to hire people who already have these skills. Anyone who shows up for an interview and can display high levels of soft skills will stand out from the crowd.
Soft skills are absolutely critical.
Julie Sweet, Accenture CEO
If you’re looking for a new job, polish up your soft skills, and you’ll shine.
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