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Social or interpersonal skills are integral to achieving success in your professional endeavors. Knowing how to positively communicate with others around you helps in teamwork and solving workplace problems. There are two types of social skills: verbal and non-verbal. In this article, we explore each of the skills which are necessary to have for any employee. But first, a brief overview of why they are considered important in a professional setting.
Why is it essential to build social skills?
For progress on your chosen career path, you need both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are those obtained by your education, experiences, and professional training. Social skills fall in the category of soft skills and are equally important to expand your horizons.
For almost every role you need to develop social skills. Working on a team, helps you operate in harmony as a unit. When dealing with clients, attentive listening to their queries and worries is key. As a manager, employee motivation is also dependent on superb social skills.
The usefulness of these skills makes them a major factor during hiring decisions. Employers prefer to shortlist candidates who possess these abilities to ensure workplace efficiency.
Five Most Important Social Skills for Professionals to Possess
Empathy
For a proper interaction with people, it is vital to understand the emotions felt by them. According to the CustomCV.co.uk experts, to master these skills, you will need to go through two stages. The first part comprises of comprehending how they must be feeling. Your client might be frustrated because things are not going as they planned. A co-worker can be stressed out about an approaching deadline.
The second stage is about relating to their troubles. Put yourself in their shoes and perceive why they are unsatisfied or anxious. Without expressing genuine concern, you will not be able to create meaningful bonds with clients or colleagues.
Cooperation
Without a cooperative attitude, it is impossible to be a part of a team. You can successfully work alongside others to acquire a goal when in possession of this skill. Even if teamwork is not required, cooperation is always essential to work in an effective manner with your co-workers. It ensures seamless productivity to help your company reach the target objectives. This is why hiring managers are always on the lookout for candidates with the capacity to work with others.
Communicating through written and verbal means
A successful verbal communicators can express themselves clearly so that others are able to understand them without trouble. Solid skills in this area are needed whenever you require talking to people on the call or in person.
Workplaces also need various types of written communication. These include connecting with clients, co-workers, or the administration through texts, emails, or letters. Giving a presentation or report will also test these abilities of yours. Any errors in format, spelling, or grammar are unacceptable if you want to maintain a spotless professional reputation.
Regardless of your position in a company, communication skills will always come in handy. You will be unable to share details about your projects or progress in any manner whatsoever. Both verbal and written communication helps build your trust, value, and esteem in the workplace hierarchy.
Listening
Listening to others is equally important as impressing or convincing others with your speech. Determine when it is your time to vocalize your thoughts and when you must listen to others. Listening carefully first to your employer’s instructions, a co-worker’s points during a meeting, or a client’s request is integral.
Listening is actually linked to empathy. Without paying attention to what others have to say you cannot understand or sympathize with them. In turn, you can solve their issues or respond appropriately to any inquiries.
Nonverbal communication
Eye contact, body language, and facial expressions – all plays an important role in non-verbal communication. Learning to use them positively conveys your aura as an empathetic individual who is ready to help.
And it is not that difficult to master either. Make sure you engage with others with a smile. Talk politely and try to remain patient even if the other person seems unreasonable. Others will be eager to connect with you if you carry a pleasant expression instead of a scowl.
Conclusion
During a job search, it is important to demonstrate these five skills which we have shared here. Use them as your keywords in your cover letter to help them stand out. And also mention them throughout the course of your interview.
