Technical Skills Needed in STEM to Seal the Deal

Soft skills are just as important as technical skills when it comes to getting a job.

While different employers prioritise different competencies depending on their organisation’s vision, values and culture, there are several common soft skills, or transferable skills, that they look for in graduate candidates.

Here are eight typical soft skills that are highly valued by employers, and how recruiters assess applicants to find out if they possess these skills.

1

Communication skills

What is it?

Communication skills include written and verbal abilities, as well as interpersonal skills.

In your working life, you will have to deal with different people of varying levels. Sometimes, you will even have to deal with people of diverse nationalities based in other countries, across various time zones.

As such, it is important for you to adapt your style of communication when necessary.

How you will be assessed

In group tasks, you may find that other candidates have been given dissimilar information, and that you need to negotiate and decide among yourselves which aspects are most important.

Recruiters are impressed by hopefuls who not only appreciate and respect each other while still getting the task done, but also make sure everyone gets their say. Candidates will also be assessed on how they handle disagreements.

2

Leadership potential

What is it?

Assessors for many graduate schemes will be interested in whether you have an aptitude for leadership. It is important to be able to identify vital facts and communicate these clearly, concisely and enthusiastically to a team.

Being organised and aware of time constraints while remaining courteous and respectful in stressful situations are also important leadership qualities.

How you will be assessed

Group exercises may be a key tool for assessing your leadership potential, but this does not mean that you should try to take charge of your group from start to finish. A pushy candidate forcefully taking the lead will be viewed negatively.

However, it is important to speak out when you have something productive to say, or challenge a view that you think is incorrect.

3

Able to work in a team

What is it?

Working in a team makes up a huge part of working life, so recruiters look for applicants who realise that they can achieve more as part of a team, rather than as individuals, and focus on working towards common goals.

How you will be assessed

Employers value graduates who actively participate, are open, honest and respectful, and are willing to support others.

For instance, favourable behaviours, such as listening to what others have to say, building other candidates’ confidence, and encouraging quieter teammates will be noted.

4

Problem-solving skills

What is it?

At its core, it is finding innovative solutions to challenges the company is facing.

How you will be assessed

At assessment centres, you may be given a task involving a lot of information, so it is wise to note down what you think are the most important points in a fashion that works for you, perhaps in a chart or flow diagram. Remember, your notes may be collected and analysed afterwards by the assessors.

This can count in your favour if you were on the right track, but unable to get your points across to other team members. In an interview, you may also be asked to think of an example of a problem you solved, describe how you tackled it, what the outcome was and what you took from the experience.

5

Planning skills

What is it?

At work, you may have to plan your own day-to-day tasks and those of others, as well as organise long-term projects.

How good are you at breaking down tasks, monitoring progress and making contingency plans? Do you typically take the lead in planning and organising how to progress with group work or social events?

How you will be assessed

You may be asked in an interview about how you planned a project or event – for example, a university activity, sporting event, academic assignment or personal project – and look at what you did right, and what you learnt from it.

The leadership and problem-solving behaviour you show in group tasks, such as considering who will be responsible for what, are also relevant here.

6

Adaptability and flexibility

What is it?

Some positions may expect you to be flexible geographically. However, even if a job requires less travel, employers will still keep an eye out for a flexible mindset keen to deal with new methods and processes; enthusiasm for doing new things; and a willingness to take on tasks or roles that may not have their structure mapped out.

How you will be assessed

Doing your homework when you apply will help. In group exercises, assessors may throw in challenges to see how you adapt. For example, they may wait until the task is well under way before saying that the customer has changed his or her mind about what he or she wants.

7

Motivation and enthusiasm An ability to build relationships

What is it?

Enthusiasm is important in your work with others. To engage and lead a team while working well with customers, it is a big help to be keen about the task at hand; you need to believe in something yourself to be able to sell it to others, after all.

How you will be assessed

Recruiters will be keen to identify genuine enthusiasm. Help yourself out by doing your homework on the organisations you are applying to. Ask yourself these questions: What do they do? Where are they located? Are the roles on offer really what you want?

In group exercises, showing enthusiasm can help bring the team together and lead it forward. In interviews, make sure you mention projects, roles or interests you are particularly passionate about, even if they are not directly related to the position.

8

What is it?

Professionals must be able to understand and build relationships with their customers, suppliers, teams, managers and other key stakeholders.

It is often not possible to choose who you work with, so you need to be able to assess others’ behaviours and adapt to them.

How you will be assessed

Again, recruiters will observe how you interact with other hopefuls in group exercises, and may ask you relevant questions in interviews.

For instance, they may ask you to give an example of a time you dealt with a difficult person.