Guest Post - Top 5 Soft Skills to Look for in a Candidate

Hiring managers are often too focused on computer skills, education, work history and the like. Sometimes, it is a candidate's soft skills that will allow him or her to fully acclimate to a company's culture. Torn between two candidates? One may be more experienced, while the other may possess the best soft skills. Every so often, it is better to go with the latter.

Below are the top five soft skills to look for in a candidate:

1. Sociability –   How does this candidate relate to other people? Sociable people are   team players who can mesh well with their coworkers. Interpersonal skills   are vital for a smooth-operating company.

2. Integrity – While   it is hard to assess just how   honest a person is from a job interview, you can look to a candidate's   work history and professional references to determine more about this   soft skill. Integrity is important in any position.

3. Cultural Diversity   – No, you certainly can't hire and fire based on a person's race or   culture. However, someone who is bilingual or multilingual is obviously   an attractive candidate for many companies.

4. Writing Ability   – There is a reason why English graduates are often attractive candidates   within the business world. Those who can communicate effectively with   their words can greatly contribute to the company.

5. Self-Motivated –   Look to a candidate's job history to determine if he or she has proven   themselves in this regard. Those who are self-motivated and who do not   require a manager over their shoulder are attractive candidates indeed.

There are two ways to determine a person's soft skills. The first is by scrutinizing his or her achievements on a resume. Doing this requires you to read between the lines a bit. Has someone been responsible for petty cash in his or her past position? If so, this could speak volumes about a person's ability to be trusted. The other way to determine soft skills is in a job interview. How does the candidate interact with you and others?

Sometimes, it is easier to train an employee in technical skills than it is to help him or her develop soft skills. For that reason, you should pay more attention to these details when facing future candidates.

Heather Johnson is a regular commentator on the subject of how to become a pharmacist. She welcomes your feedback and potential job inquiries at [email protected].