THE SOFT SKILLS

E M P LOY E R S A R E LO O K I N G F O R

TODAY’S AGENDA

•Defining Soft Skills. Why are they important?

•Taking inventory

• Ideas to further develop and practice your soft skills

WHAT ARE “SOFT SKILLS”?

WHAT ARE “SOFT SKILLS”?

WHAT ARE “SOFT SKILLS”?

Ethics Dependability Time Management

Self-Motivation Flexibility

WHAT SKILLS ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR?• Professionalism/Work Ethic• Teamwork• Oral/Written Communication• Leadership

• Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2016 Employer Survey

TAKING INVENTORYE M O T I O N A L LY I N T E L L I G E N T L E A D E R S H I P ( E I L )

HOW CAN YOU ASSESS YOUR SOFT SKILLS?• Consciousness of Self

– Awareness of YOUR abilities, emotions, and perceptions

• Consciousness of Others– Awareness of abilities, emotions, and perceptions of OTHERS

• Consciousness of Context– Awareness of setting and situation

EIL INVENTORY FOR STUDENTS•Leadership is available to all of us•Leadership can be learned•Leadership is art and science•Leadership requires inner work

INVENTORY INSTRUCTIONSANSWER QUESTIONS ON P. 2 – 3

WHEN FINISHED, TRANSFER RATINGS TO SCORING PAGES 4 - 5

P L A C E A N E X T T O 3 S K I L L S T H AT A R E A S T R E N G T H

P L A C E A N E X T T O 3 S K I L L S Y O U ’ D L I K E T O W O R K O ND E F I N I T I O N S O F S K I L L S O N P. 1 5

SO WHAT?• These 19 skills are tools for you to use

• You’ll have a different level of awareness, comfort and proficiency with each one

• We can develop each skill through practice

• Demonstrating these skills are key to landing jobs and advancing in our careers

PRACTICING SOFT SKILLS• P. 11 & 12 – Ideas for development

• Student Life– Student Senate!– Workshops – attending or presenting

• Career Services– Internships– Help with listing soft skills on resume; mock interviews

QUESTIONS?THANK YOU!

S H A N N O N W I L L I A M SS T U D E N T A C T I V I T I E S C O O R D I N AT O R

M I N N E A P O L I S C O M M + T E C H C O L L E G E

S H A N N O N . W I L L I A M S @ M I N N E A P O L I S . E D U