Showcase Soft Skills During an Interview

During a job search, many candidates make the mistake of focusing on the technical requirements of the position. While these abilities are important, it’s just as important to consider the “soft skills” necessary to the job.

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This skill set often involves personality traits or learned behaviors that can be applied to interpersonal relationships and the efficiency of your work.

But without certifications or other evidence of these skills, they can be difficult to convey in an interview. As a general rule, you should show these skills through anecdotes and implied behavior, rather than simply listing your skills. These are three of the most sought-after soft skills, and how you can showcase them in your interview.

Communication

Your ability to communicate clearly and effectively can make or break your qualifications. From sending business emails to speaking with clients or colleagues, it’s vital that you’re able to articulate your ideas in a professional manner. Fortunately, this soft skill can actually be showcased before you even reach the interview. Make sure that your resume and cover letter are clearly written, without typos or grammatical errors.

During the interview itself, convey your communication skills through your body language (i.e., make eye contact and listen attentively) and your ability to express your thoughts and experiences eloquently. Avoid filler words such as “like” and “um.” Remember: You won’t lose any points if you pause briefly after each question to formulate your answer.

Problem Solving

Let’s face it: No matter where you work or what you do, you will face problems in your day-to-day work environment. Whether you encounter problems with coworkers or some confusion with your work itself, your new employer will want to know how you’ll handle such complications.

Illustrating this skill in an interview can be as simple as telling a story. You should give anecdotes in every interview, but you’ll tell this one a little differently. Instead of describing your great successes, start with what went wrong with a certain assignment or project. Walk the interviewer through how you handled this complication, and how the project was back on track after the problem was solved. This will not only give the hiring manager a concrete example of your skills, it will also demonstrate your thought process as you solve complex problems.

Positive Attitude

A positive attitude not only makes it easier to work with you, but it can also make for a more productive employee. If you’re more willing to take on new or challenging tasks, and you do so with enthusiasm, you’re more likely to impress your managers and co-workers alike

To demonstrate your positive attitude in an interview, it’s all about how you talk about your past experiences. Never say anything negative about former positions (even if your experiences there were more bad than good). Focus on the positives: co-workers you got along with, tasks you enjoyed, or new skills you were able to develop.

By displaying your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and your positive attitude, you can make yourself a more attractive candidate to your potential employer. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you find your next behavioral health position, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at [email protected].

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