Nowadays, deaf and hard of hearing job seekers need to bring more to the table than having the best resume. Here are some of the additional qualities that will grab the employer’s attention.
Imagine there are two deaf or hard of hearing job seekers interviewing for the same open position. Both are equally qualified, with comparable educations, several years of experience in their field, and both candidates are looking for similar salaries. However, after both interviewed, the hiring manager knows exactly who he or she is going to hire. Why is that? Two words: Soft Skills. In today’s competitive job market, soft skills are often the decision-making factor between a good contender and a hired candidate. What are these “soft skills” all about, and why are they so important? Let’s take a deeper look at these necessary qualities, and which are highly in-demand by today’s employers.
Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills
What are the differences between soft skills and hard skills? “Hard skills” are those things you learn in school, measurable abilities like an advanced skill in using Microsoft Office, or a proficiency with QuickBooks. As for “soft skills,” they are interpersonal skills that are hard to teach and even harder to measure, but you immediately know them when you see them in someone. Employees with strong soft skills are those co-workers that seem to get along with everyone on the team, are highly organized, seem great at managing their workloads and are the types of individuals that others look to for leadership on demanding projects or tasks. People with strong soft skills are often top performers at work. While it is still important to have a solid set of hard skills, many employers believe that soft skills are equally or even more important than hard skills when it comes to success at work.
What Are the Seven Most Desirable Soft Skills?
When it comes to presenting yourself as an excellent hire to a potential employer, there seem to be some traits that continually pop up on employers’ “Must Have” list:
1. Good Problem Solvers. The ability to think critically and effectively in a difficult situation is one of the top qualities that employers say they look for in a deaf or hard of hearing employee. Many companies and organizations need staff who can quickly cut through the confusion and emotion to succeed in their job tasks.
2. Fitting into the Culture. “Culture fit” is a fancy way of saying that an employer is looking for someone who fits in well with the team and whose values closely align with that of the managers and the organization.
3. Functional in a Team Setting. Employers want staff members who feel comfortable in a team environment. That means they want deaf and hard of hearing employees who can get along with anyone and easily share their opinions and ideas with the group. Not only that, they are also able to accept constructive feedback and occasional criticism of those ideas.
4. Taking Initiative. Employers consistently give the highest marks on job performance reviews to employees who are big on taking the lead when they see a need. Deaf and hard of hearing employees displaying their energy for innovation and their eagerness to help is the best way to be viewed as a trusted and skilled co-worker.
5. Reliability. A deaf or hard of hearing employee that can be counted on to show up on time, meet deadlines, and follow through with quality work product is essential. A co-worker who consistently meets work expectations is the kind of trait all employers desire.
6. Flexibility. A deaf and hard of hearing employee that is very good at adapting to new situations and challenges is highly sought by the companies and managers. With today’s fast-paced work environment, employees need to have the flexibility to quickly change and have the ability to work with new ideas.
7. Research Skills. Many supervisors love employees who can find answers to common issues on their own. A deaf or hard of hearing employee who is skilled in evaluating situations can gather multiple perspectives or solutions, and bring detailed, hard-to-find information to the team’s review.
By possessing many of the soft skills listed above, you have a much better chance of being hired and have excellent job performance evaluation year after year. You might even receive an award or two by being one of the top employees where you work!
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