Blog Archive

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Software and Soft Skills

                 In the workplace, soft skills are serve to complement to the hard skills that you learn in your courses at New Horizons. Learning through CompTIA A+  how to install, configure, and troubleshoot Windows 8 computers may be the requirement for the position, but a hiring manager won't hire solely based on those skills. Not only may your interpersonal skills be the reason you land the job at your dream company, but they may be the reason for promotion and advancement once you do have your foot in the door.
               Soft skills revolve around personality, character, and attitude. Being strong in those categories, will allow you to become a better contender in your job search, build good work relationships once you do land the job, and in turn, increase your work performance. Soft skills are always high in demand by Hiring Managers. So what are soft skills and do you possess these hidden talents?

  1. Communication skills: its more than just a language. It is how you listen, your ability to explain content, and how well you articulate yourself in writing. IT projects that do get passed within a company are not always better than the next, but are communicated properly. 
    • Make eye contact; monitor your body language
    • Practice speaking
    • Proofread e-mails, letters, and notes
  2. Be User-Friendly: An IT professional who can empathize with the end user and the environment they deal with is impressive. Showing a Hiring Manger that you can use your technical expertise and bridge the communication gap is key. 
    • Always attempt to create an easy to use and understand working setting
    • Think of your favorite instructor. How did he/she help you understand the material the first time around
    • Be willing to share and explain what you know. 
  3. Motivation and Enthusiasm: In the fast-paced industry of Information Technology it is essential to have motivation and enthusiasm to keep up. Showing that you have the determination to achieve the end result and do it optimistically will make people want to work more closely with you and strike home with a Hiring Manger 
    • Give an example of when you kept your spirits up during a set back
    • Know what makes you tick and what you enjoy the most
    • Surround yourself with individuals you aspire to be like in that aspect  "You are the average of the five people that you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn

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