Developing soft skills for student success

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Significant pressures are placed on students to acquire the competencies demanded by the job market. While technical proficiency remains important – 93 per cent of UK businesses report an IT skills gap – that shouldn’t lead students to dismiss the importance of soft skills. 

Compared with hard skills, which are specific to individual professions, soft skills are transferable and necessary for most roles. They rely on interpersonal understanding and emotional intelligence. They can be developed in school, at university, in the workplace and in life but they are not always given the prominence they deserve. 

Cutting across international borders, the importance of soft skills is finally being recognised. In China, for instance, the soft skills training market is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 57 per cent. A study of students in Chicago public high schools found that building social-emotional qualities resulted in better outcomes for students than schools focusing solely on test scores. University curricula are similarly renewing a focus on soft skills to ensure graduates have the right mix of competencies to thrive in the workplace.

Which soft skills are in demand?

Also known as transferable skills or employability skills, soft skills are sought after by workplaces because their usefulness transcends technological development. Regardless of the pace of change brought about by, say, AI or shifting consumer trends, soft skills will continue to serve employees. 

Here are some essential soft skills and how students can develop them:

• Communication. Students can develop their communication skills in various ways. After all, communication is important in every aspect of our daily lives. Practising active listening, working on nonverbal cues or engaging in public speaking are just a few methods that can be employed. Focusing on language skills is another great way of demonstrating strong communication skills. A recent QS Global Employer Survey found that English language skills are important for over 95 per cent of employers in many non-native English-speaking countries.
• Teamwork. By bringing different viewpoints together and facilitating collaboration, teamwork can help build better workplace relationships and unlock new ideas. Students can develop their ability to work as part of a team by taking part in academic projects involving multiple students. This sets them up well for the collaborative work they are likely to take on in the workplace. Teamwork skills can be developed outside the classroom too – joining a university sports team or social club can also be effective.
• Leadership. Demonstrating leadership skills can motivate and inspire those around you. Seek out classes that promote decision-making, self-reflection and problem-solving. Also, take on leadership roles whenever you get the opportunity – 83 per cent of companies say it's important to develop leaders at all levels. Students can show their aptitude in this area throughout their time at university.
• Adaptability. Change is inevitable. In the workplace, this could involve the emergence of new tools or shifts in market conditions. Either way, employees must be adaptable. Displaying curiosity and demonstrating an ability to overcome barriers at university show prospective employers that workers can manage change in all its forms.
• The value of soft skills to employers. Technical skills are important, of course, but the volatile nature of work today, buffeted by digital transformation and marketplace shifts, means that soft skills are an essential way for students to futureproof their value to employers. Fortunately, as with technical proficiency, soft skills can be learnt and developed – and university is a great place to do so.

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