WHAT SOFT SKILLS ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE

The answer depends on the position obviously, but apart from any Job Specific skills and basic literacy and numeracy there are other intangible soft skills that do make some candidates better prospective employees than others.

Many employers specify hard skills only in their job specification but when it comes to interview they will be taking them as a given, and looking to confirm the presence of soft skills that make an employment interaction work well.

And while you can’t necessarily learn a good attitude, you can pay attention to how your soft skills are perceived by the recruiter, and you can improve some of your soft skills.

These are the soft skills most employers would prefer their employees to have;-

1. Common sense. The thing with common sense is it is not that common. It is necessary though, for the smooth running of a business, unless you want to supervise everyone all the time.
2. Self-starter. You want to know that people are motivated to make things happen and won’t just sit waiting for the next instruction.
3. Initiative. When they see a problem and a solution they will speak up.
4. Strong work ethic. They don’t expect an easy ride, something for nothing, and are prepared to work for their rewards
5. Honesty. They won’t cheat you
6. Integrity. They have consistency of character and act according to exemplary values, beliefs and principles.
7. Social intelligence. The skill of understanding and managing other people.
8. Emotional intelligence. The skill of understanding and managing emotions.
9. High energy and positive attitude. They will work hard and well.
10. Team player and /or leader. That they can work with other people and lead if appropriate.

The reason they look for these skills is that people who have them are more likely to be the solution to a problem rather than take up management time and make life difficult for those around them.

Most experienced managers have had their share of problems with difficult employees. So employers are open to considering less qualified candidates with excellent personal skills.

You need to be aware of the importance of these critical soft skills and how you can use them to leverage your application .Work them into your cover letter and demonstrate them in job interviews. Ensure you have examples of them in your prepared answers for behaviour based interview questions.

For example

“Tell me about a time when you have demonstrated Common sense “

“Tell me about a time when you have demonstrated you are a self-starter “

etc

Highlighting these skills and using them as examples of how you work, may even make up for any hard skill deficiencies, as long as you have the necessary JobSspecific skills

So your task is to persuade potential employers that you are a person with lots of common sense, are self-motivated, honest, hardworking, and a positive person who can demonstrate they are ready and willing to become a high performing employee.

LIFE TONIC

Don't give up! it only takes longer, you will surely embrace success!

FOR COUPLES AND THOSE ABOUT TO GET MARRIED

FOR OUR MEN:
Carry your wife to the bed when she sleeps off in the sitting room, make her feel like a baby at times. The truth is, every woman wants to be treated like a 2yrs old girl at times, that's why women behave childish or silly at times.
You may have an argument with your wife and the next thing is that you will see her putting her bags outside the house, it doesn't mean she is asking for a divorce, she is just being childish, she simply wants you to hold her, look her in the eyes and say "I am sorry for the argument".

That's women for you. Every brother needs to study in the university of women before getting married, read books about them, learn what the Bible says about them and you will hardly have a problem with them.
Though there may still be some challenges, because you're both from different background and your imperfections are bound to stand.
So, read books about marriage, an ideal home, child upbringing, importance of marriage and the likes. Don't just jump into marriage with an empty head about matrimony, you will have problems.

How many men can tolerate their wives nagging let alone shouting? It's said that, you should be quiet when your spouse is angry, when one person is fire, the other person should be water.
Brothers, when your wife steps on your feet intentionally or mistakenly, don't let your eyes turn red, just smile at her, if she did it intentionally, she is just playing with you, if she did it mistakenly, its not her fault. So why shout at her over every small mistake?

As a man learn to ignore some things, don't be petty. Some men are feminist; Do "hide and seek" with your wife, sing poems for your wife in the garden or inside the house, even if she is teasing you.
Assist her in the house chores, pound yam, fetch water, don't make her look like your maid. Bathe together, wake her up for prayers, swim with her if it's available, cook together, teach her how to cook if she doesn't know how to cook. Cooking is not the ticket to Paradise. It's not only a feminine duty.
Use blind folds to cover her eyes and tickle her, scare her at times, call her from work/ school, text her, write "I love you" in a small note and put it under her pillow or in her purse or in her bathroom or in her cosmetics box or inside her cupboard. Kiss her always, cuddle her, pamper her and play with her hair. Always tell her, she's beautiful and that you're happy to have her as your partner.

All these are part of being romantic...When a woman tells you that you are not romantic. It means you are not doing all these things, its not the romance in the bedroom she is talking about. That's why, you brothers have to study "women's language" it's a 10 year course.

FOR LADIES:

It is part of your duty to be romantic too. Your shyness shouldn't get to your marital life and that doesn't mean you should be shy to express your love to your husband.

Send sweet text messages to your husband at work, sometimes even if you are in the room discussing with your husband, still be chatting with him on social media (Facebook, Whatsapp, Viber, Imo, bbm etc) even though he is right in front of you, it's fun and romantic! Discuss how lovely he is on your facebook timeline, this will trip him a lot.
You should be chatting with your husband, not other men on social media networks.

Buy flowers for him. When eating, give him the biggest meat. At times, bake cake for him to surprise him. Ladies, use your soft voice to sing for him, be creative, a poem like (twinkle, twinkle lovely spouse, how I wonder what you are, up above my world so high, like a diamond in my heart).
Sing poems for him, no shyness is allowed. Don't just be welcoming your husband with an angry face because there is no money in the house, God is our provider. Don't welcome your husband with your body smelling maggi, don't only play with your husband when he receives his salary.

Welcome him with a warm hug always, and when he is going to work, pray to God to keep him safe and for him to be successful. Support him, advise him, wipe his tears, be grateful to him, it's not easy to be a man, when you see his faith waxing cold, encourage him, don't threaten him that you will seek for divorce, don't compare him with other men, buy him gifts, wash his clothes, sing for him, praise him in a way that he wouldn't think of an alternative, be the best cook, wash his car if u have the time, dress him up, pamper him when he is sick.

Wake him with a peck and don't complain about his snoring habit.
Let kiss be the messenger between you. Read books on intimacy, don't learn it from what you see in movies..
Most of what you see there are not real. Call your husband pet names. Though you can also call him by his name even if he is 30yrs older than you, as far as he is comfortable with it.

Remember that, God said, men are the protectors and maintainers of women. So respect him and honour him even if he is younger than you. Marriage isn't a bed of roses but a bed of sacrifice. It's said that, there is nothing better for two people who love each other than marriage.
To fall in love is a disease and its cure is to marry the person one is in love with. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion and the romance and you find out you still care for that person.

Finally, married men, divide your nights into 3: one for yourself (sleeping), one for your wife and one for your Lord.. That's the best night one can ever have.

LOVE MAKING IS ONLY FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. IF U CAN'T HOLD BACK, PLZ GET MARRIED.
I WISH YOU LOVE.

FRANKLY SPEAKING BY MUYIWA AFOLABI– THE LEADERSHIP WITHIN.

Leadership is not exclusively about positions of power and authority, leadership is much more about influence. It is your ability to connect with others and secure their buy-in regarding your vision, conviction, or advocacy in life. It is about drawing the attention of the people that matter or those involved to something important, useful, and relevant.

Many people today don’t realize they are leaders as they usually suppose leadership is in positions and appointments. Many don’t think they can influence anyone or anything. Many primarily see themselves as subjugates, onlookers, or supporters of anything they see or identify with. Many don’t really know everyone is a leader. You see, all humans are born as kings, you are not created by the almighty to just exist and pass through this world without impact or influence. You are on an assignment, you are here to achieve a purpose and deliver good to humanity.

The almighty definitely does not waste resources, hence he wouldn’t waste his time and creativity investing so much into you for nothing. You are not on this earth to exist, eat, procreate, and die off one day. If that’s all there is to you, I’m afraid other creatures can do that as well. There is therefore a superior purpose to your being human than eating, existing, surviving, and procreating. You are definitely made for more. There is something powerful, relevant, and critical to humanity, especially those around you, that your maker deposited in you and only you can most efficiently deliver to better a lot of those around you and in fact your generation.

Many have heard this remark several times and today it may not be that inspiring or motivating but your feelings and disposition to this fact do not refute the reality that you are more than just another number making up the 7 billion humans on Earth, your life is very important to humanity and your maker will demand accountability; beyond for a life of morality, you’ll also account for your assignment and gifts and purpose on the day of reckoning. Your talents, be it five, two, or just one is your makers investment in you and he would surely ask one day how you used it and profited humanity with it.

That talent, that gift, that natural ability; your passion, conviction, and persuasions on matters of life and humanity, have you buried them?

That special humanitarian need that the almighty tailor-made you for, is it still suffering? That humanitarian gap, the correct answers to the needs of mankind, the needs of men, the needs of women, the needs of children, the needs of families, the needs of marriage, societies, the need for equality, fairness, protection, preservation, creativity, reorientation, spirituality, and all the world is still in dire need of and your maker designed you to answer, are you answering?

Have you buried your natural gifts and talents under the soil of that desperate need for survival, social rivalry, materialism, perceptions, prestige, opinions of men, or greed?

Is the whole of your life today centered around making more money to outdo your rivals and competitors in materialism? Are you investing anything in your purpose and your reason for being in this world?

Without your school certificates, qualifications, and your employment identity card, how would you describe who you are, how would you introduce yourself in destiny?

Is your self-definition achievement based? Do you introduce yourself by what you are and what you’ve achieved? Without the job without the business please who are you?

If you can’t introduce yourself based on your assignment and the agenda you’re here to push on earth, you are yet to manifest leadership. Your maker is not going to demand of you your certificates and qualifications and official positions on the day of reckoning, but surely, he’ll ask about your gifts and talents and calling as these are the things He personally invested in you for your purpose and assignment on earth. What are you doing for humanity? Who is blessed and glad you are alive? Who is thanking God daily for your life? Who is grateful to God that you exist? Who and what are you positively influencing for good?

Do you sincerely care about the needs and pains and hurt of others in this world or your personal needs and comfort are your priority? Then you’re definitely not a leader. Leadership is the ability to influence humanity positively based on your calling, talents, gifts, and design. Position and titles without influence are not leadership, it's pure vanity.

For you to truly enjoy your stay in this world and enjoy real peace in the midst of all the pain, hurt, and hardship, you must locate your place and fulfill your assignment. Having such peace that people around you can’t understand especially in the midst of crisis is found in the place of your purpose. Tension, agitation, fear, insecurity, and panic characterize the life of anyone misplaced in this world. They are the signs that follow those who are not in their place in this life.

You are naturally designed to lead, your being human is the proof you’re created to have dominion. The kingly nature in every human is proven through the desire to control everything and everyone. That natural inclination to dominate and control people and situations is proof you’re a king. Other creatures don’t have it, they just want to survive. Being a natural king makes you a natural leader. This implies there’s an aspect in life, a side to humanity you’re expected to dominate and influence. That aspect is actually your kingdom, your domain as a natural king, if you’re not dominating the area of life you’re custom-made to influence positively in life, you’re failing your kingly nature hence you’re not leading in life.

This hence is probably the reason for your frustration and many worries in life, the life you live is not designed for you; it’s a life type less or different from yours hence you’re misplaced and I’m afraid you can hardly be happy no matter how rich you are as in this life it is possible to fail successfully.

Ladies and gentlemen, how do you manifest your leadership from within? How do you operate and influence from your place of purpose and design? Kindly follow these steps:

Your Creator’s Priorities. If you believe in the concept of the higher being, if you believe in God, if you believe all things that we see and the whole universe is not a product of chaos but finely designed and articulated by an intelligent super-being the majority of humans call God, you must hence find out his priorities. 

I think this is embedded in our conscience as humans. The knowledge of good and evil; not judging from the perspective of our personal feelings but the consequence on all concerned should lead us to His priorities. Love is better than hate. Generosity is superior to greed. Giving life is better than taking a life. I’m persuaded our maker’s priority is to love humanity, preserve the earth and all inhabitants, fairness, and justice, and do good to all. Within all this, you should connect with your leadership essence and your place in this world. Your deepest convictions. Anything about humanity that touches you emotionally either in passion, pain, or positive obsession is a pointer to your throne of influence and leadership on earth, go after it.

Leadership Identity – Once you connect with your deepest convictions, don’t keep it to yourself, develop a model for manifestation and influence. Conceive a strategy for manifestation. Do something about it. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for your manifestation at your place of influence. Let the world know you for something.

Say and Do. Don’t just speak, advocate, campaign, canvass and speak up for something, you must practice what you teach and preach and present and represent as well. Don’t just say things, People are better influenced through proof not just by talk. Talk is cheap. Don’t ask of others what you’ve not sacrificed. You must lead by example. Don’t ask what you’ve not given or can’t give.

Whatever you choose to do, wherever you choose to lead, anything you spend your life and time on, on earth must have the capacity to outlive you. After you pass on, the good work must continue. Any investment, job, career, or sacrifice that will go to the grave with you is perhaps not a worthy one. Let your mark on earth and humanity have eternal value. Leave glorious eternal footprints in the sand of time.

Ladies and gentlemen, you’re indeed a king, with an area to dominate, there is a leader within you, it's time you manifest.

By Muyiwa Afolabi - http://www.muyiwaafolabi.com/