Soft Skills

VJES prepares its students not only on technical skills but also prepare them with Professional and Soft Skills

VJES focus on 10 key Soft skills which are sought by employers.

1. Communication

Communication is one of the most important soft skills. Able communicators can adjust their tone and style according to their audience, comprehend and act efficiently on instructions, and explain complex issues to colleagues and clients alike.

A key, often forgotten, communication skill is listening. Whether you are dealing with a customer complaint or working with your colleagues, good listening skills will help you learn and respond correctly to the circumstance you have been presented with.
Equally as important are your verbal and non-verbal skills. Verbal skills are key to fostering relationships that are collaborative and respectful, and, ultimately, productive. This also applies to your written communication. A lot of business communication is now played out by email, so it's important to know good email etiquette and give instructions clearly and concisely.

2. Self-Motivation

Having a positive attitude and the initiative to work well without around-the-clock supervision is a vital soft skill for any employee.
Not only does it demonstrate reliability and commitment, but it also shows that you can fit efficiently into an organisational structure without the need for constant supervision. To demonstrate your motivation, think about these keys skills:

• Positivity
• Ambition
• Commitment
• Initiative

3. Leadership

You can show even if you�re not directly managing others. Those with strong leadership skills will have the ability to inspire others and lead teams to success. This is why it is a particularly sought-after skill. People with good leadership skills will have a range of skills that are useful in the workplace, including:

• A positive attitude and outlook
• The ability to make quick and effective decisions
• Exemplary problem-solving or conflict management skills
• The ability to communicate effectively
• An aptitude for both self-motivating and motivating others

Even if you are applying for an entry-level role, don't be afraid to demonstrate your potential by showing how you have positively influenced others to take a project to success.

4. Responsibility

Is a seldom talked-about but highly valued soft skill. Colleagues who fail to take responsibility for their work will be less productive and less successful overall.
To demonstrate a high level of responsibility, make sure you can master these skills:

• Trustworthiness
• Discipline
• Motivation
• Conscientiousness
• Accountability

Taking responsibility means taking ownership of not only your goals but the wider company goals. This will mean taking the initiative to make improvements, accepting responsibility for any failures and really caring about working your way to success.

5. Teamwork

Like leadership, good teamwork involves a combination of other soft skills. Working in a team towards a common goal requires the intuition and interpersonal acumen to know when to be a leader and when to be a listener.
Good team players are perceptive, as well as receptive to the needs and responsibilities of others.

6. Problem Solving

One does not just require analytical, creative and critical skills, but a particular mindset; those who can approach a problem with a cool and level head will often reach a solution more efficiently than those who cannot. This is a soft skill which can often rely on strong teamwork, too. Problems need not always be solved alone. The ability to know who can help you reach a solution, and how they can do it, can be of great advantage.

7. Decisiveness

Decisiveness is characterised by the ability to make quick and effective decisions. It does not mean recklessness or impulsiveness.
Decisiveness combines several different abilities:

• The ability to put things into perspective
• Weigh up the options
• Assess all relevant information
• Anticipate any consequences, good and bad

A decisive employee will take effective and considered action quickly, especially when under pressure. They take responsibility for the consequences of their decision and can adapt when mistakes are made. This ensures that opportunities aren't missed by lengthy analysis or debate.

8. Ability to Work Under Pressure and Time Management

Many jobs come with demanding deadlines and, sometimes, high stakes. Recruiters prize candidates who show a decisive attitude, an unfaltering ability to think clearly, and a capacity to compartmentalise and set stress aside. Time management is closely related to the ability to work under pressure, as well as within tight deadlines. Employees who manage their time well can efficiently prioritise tasks and organise their diaries while adopting an attitude which allows them to take on new tasks and deadlines.

9. Flexibility

Flexibility is an important soft skill, since it demonstrates an ability and willingness to embrace new tasks and new challenges calmly and without fuss. Flexible employees are willing to help out where needed, take on extra responsibilities and can adapt quickly when plans change. Employers are looking for candidates who can show a willing and upbeat attitude, and who are unfazed by change.

10. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

This is another of those soft skills which employers look for in potential leaders. To be an adept negotiator is to know how to be persuasive and exert influence, while sensitively seeking a solution which will benefit all parties. Similarly, conflict resolution depends on strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish a rapport with colleagues and clients alike.