Employers now prioritize candidates who demonstrate discipline, reliability, and a genuine interest in their work. According to recent research by ADP, having a solid work ethic is the most sought-after skill by companies, yet it is also one of the most challenging to find in potential hires.
Soft Skills Topping The List of What Employers Need
ADP conducted surveys with over 1,500 business owners, senior leaders, and hiring managers to gauge their hiring plans and priorities for 2024. Despite increasing discussions about the significance of technical upskilling, soft skills were identified as the top priority across the board.
While a strong work ethic may seem vague, individuals embodying it are usually punctual, organized, efficient with their time, and, crucially, willing to exert additional effort to complete tasks excellently, according to ADP's research. Employers also value soft skills such as problem-solving, time management, and communication abilities, which, according to the managers surveyed by ADP, are the most challenging to find in candidates.
Tina Wang, division vice president of HR at ADP, highlights that possessing these skills as new hires brings limitless potential and opportunities. While technical skills can be taught, behavioral skills like these make learning technical skills much more straightforward, efficient, and successful from day one.
Upskilling as Antidote to The Great Resignation
Upskilling and reskilling, or teaching employees new skills to transition into different roles or broaden their current responsibilities, have become significant business priorities following the "great resignation," during which millions of individuals left their jobs.
Other hiring experts share similar sentiments. Bert Bean, CEO of the staffing firm Insight Global, acknowledges that companies faced hiring challenges after the surge in hiring in 2020 and the subsequent 'great resignation' of 2021, believing that emphasizing the value of old-fashioned hard work is essential for resetting the employee base.
According to Wang, cultivating a deeper and more robust talent pool becomes significantly more accessible and more efficient when employees possess effective problem-solving abilities and a strong work ethic, which is why these soft skills are highly sought after.
A recent survey of more than 17,000 respondents across 17 countries conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private testing and talent solutions organization, found that 85% of adults worldwide believe that upskilling and reskilling will become the new standard for individuals throughout their careers.
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into the workforce, soft skills, also known as people skills, are becoming invaluable assets to professionals. Other research, such as a declaration by LinkedIn in February, also emphasizes the importance of communication as the most in-demand skill for 2024, encompassing both hard and soft skills.
How to Stand Out Using Soft Skills in a Job Interview?
Emphasizing your soft skills can give you a competitive advantage in an interview. According to Wang, communication and interpersonal skills can be evident within the first 5-10 minutes of an interview. Being authentic, confident in your life experiences, and showcasing these intangible qualities can help employers recognize how you align with their needs.
Bean suggests showcasing a solid work ethic by discussing the most challenging job you have experienced during conversations, such as when asked about your strengths or how you have managed a workplace challenge. Outlining your contributions in your previous role and how they contributed to advancing the company's top or bottom line can demonstrate your work ethic and enable the hiring manager to recognize that they are not simply hiring another contributor but someone who comprehends the business and its value drivers.
Even if you lack extensive direct work experience, Wang suggests referring to real-world situations where you have exhibited a strong work ethic or problem-solving skills, such as challenging group projects in school or busy shifts at after-school jobs. An interview is ultimately about convincing, and you stand a good chance of persuading someone to hire you if you can communicate the value you offer to the business, take pride in your achievements, and demonstrate alignment with the employer's values.
