What are your best soft skills?

It's not just about learning technical skills to climb the career ladder. It's also about understanding what makes you, you – your soft skills and unique strengths that set you apart. Let's look at how you can identify what you're really good at and how to use it.

Finding Your Career “Sweet Spot”

It's that perfect spot where your skills, interests and values all come together, helping you to succeed in whatever you do. It's not just about getting the job done – it's about doing it in a way that feels right for you.

Let's say you're a data genius. You can analyse complex numbers and trends in a flash, but what makes you stand out is your ability to explain that data to non-technical teams. That combination of technical skill and clear communication? That's your sweet spot. It's where you shine.

Step 1: What Gives You Energy?

Take a moment to think about what gets you excited at work. What are the tasks that you can get lost in for hours without even noticing the time?

Maybe it's brainstorming new ideas, helping a colleague out with a tricky problem, or organising a project. These are the things that get you going and often show what your soft skills are like. You might find it easy to lead a team discussion or manage a project from start to finish, but these are skills others may not have.

To start off, ask yourself: what tasks at work make you feel alive? What are the things you're good at and enjoy doing? That's a great indicator of your unique strengths.

Step 2: Know Your Values

We all have values that influence our decisions, even if we don't realise it. These are your core beliefs – the things you stand by, no matter what. They often influence your career choices without you even realizing it.

For instance, if you're passionate about sustainability, you'll be most driven in a role that allows you to contribute to a greener world. Or perhaps you value creativity and get your energy from designing solutions that haven't been tried before. No matter what your values are, when they align with your work, it just feels right.

Step 3: Focus on More Than Just Hard Skills

Of course, technical skills are important. You need them to get the job done. But it's often the soft skills – how you communicate, solve problems or work with others – that make you stand out. They're what makes you great at your job, not just good.

Imagine you're a top-notch software developer, but what really makes you shine is how you work with your team, break down complex ideas, or handle feedback. It's these "human skills" that employers are really looking for.

Here are some key soft skills to think about:

• Time management: Can you manage your workload and decide what's most important?
• Being proactive: Do you take the initiative, find solutions and go out of your way to get things done without waiting for direction?
• Communication: Can you explain things in a way that everyone can understand, and do you actively listen to what others have to say?
• Teamwork: Do you work well with all kinds of people? Are you a natural team player?
• Emotional intelligence: Do you know how to handle your own emotions while understanding what others are going through?

Step 4: Get Some Feedback

It's hard to be objective about your soft skills. Sometimes we don't realise our strengths because they come naturally. Ask colleagues, your manager or friends and family for feedback on your strengths. Look for patterns in recent reviews or feedback. Don't forget friends and family as they can see how you handle relationships and challenges outside of work.

Step 5: Self-Assessment Tools

If you're unsure, there are tools to help you identify your soft skills. The Thomas PPA (Personal Profile Analysis) can help you understand how you behave at work, what motivates you and your natural strengths. It's a good way to check what you think is true. You might be surprised!

Put It All Together

You've reflected, gathered feedback and taken assessments. How do you use it?

Use your strengths in your job search. If you're good at project management, look for jobs with leadership potential. If you want to work in marketing but need more technical skills, take courses.

Your strengths may change, so stay adaptable. Keep exploring opportunities that suit you.