Soft Skills: Blurring the lines between education and employment

Imagine putting your heart and soul to finish off your tertiary studies, only to find that your skill sets do not match the ones needed in your chosen field.

Disappointed? Think positive.

Never too late to pivot that ship of yours.

To secure a position in most organisations, a certificate will most likely give you the upper hand.

Sadly, one is not always enough, unless, your dream is to settle.

Don’t you ever settle.

Therefore, at the workplace, in order to thrive and develop growth, your performance determines your way.

Unless, you are that type of person who always bootlicks and apple-polishes your way up. Shame on you! When are you ever going to stop that game of yours? Stop jeopardising your integrity for personal gains.

You are so much better than that. Employment readiness has got your back.

Employment readiness is an option. A major option.

Employers believe that people don’t succeed at the workplace because they don’t practice good work habits such as steady attendance, being on time, getting along with management and co-workers, and possessing initiative and flexibility rather than because they can’t do the tasks required in the job.

These are the skills that today’s employers are seeking.

Such a goal requires students who can persevere and remain focused on their goals without getting distracted by arising challenges.

Students need to overcome excruciating obstacles that come their way from enrolment until graduation, especially in terms of studying the skills necessary for future needs.

Therefore, students need to adequately prepare themselves for university and adapt to the breadth of academic, emotional, and cultural spectrum towards career success.

The leadership skills among students can be acquired in schools or universities, where future graduates are being prepared for their working lives through problem-solving skills.

To solve problems pertaining to education, practices for developing soft skills are increasingly gaining momentum.

Youth unemployment, human capital development, and workforce success depend centrally on soft skills.

Escalating evidence shows that these qualities rival academic and technical skills in their ability to predict future employment, benefits and earnings, among other outcomes (Kautz, Heckman, Diris, ter Weel, & Borghans, 2014).

These skill sets have been variously named as “life skills” (Smith 1981), “soft skills” (e.g., Lorenz 2007) and “employability skills” (Conference Board of Canada 2000).

Whatever term is used, all appear to be referring to a core set of non-technical skills broadly related to interpersonal relations and self-management.

All of these are known as emotional intelligence.

Talking about learning new terms and vocabulary in a day! Soft skills are those characteristics that help you function as an individual (motivation, self-confidence, and flexibility) as well as within a group (teamwork, negotiation, and respect).

To succeed in the workplace, these skills are key.

After all, if you can’t show up on time, speak up for yourself, or get along with your peers, chances are you’re not going to have a very smooth go of it.

You wouldn’t want to follow others blindly, would you? I pray you don’t.

According to the Malaysian Employers Federation (2019), the topmost concern faced by potential employers in recruiting fresh graduates are a poor command of the English Language (55.8 per cent) and having poor character, attitude, and personality (37.4 per cent).

In comparison, among the sought-after features employers look for are quality, motivated, independent individuals with excellent communication skills.

Sadly, however, higher education institutions are often accused of not offering their students syllabi that teach important skills such as emotional intellect, problem solving, decision-making, hands-on skill set, reflective and critical thinking, sound character, interpersonal and teaming skills, efficient communication, self-esteem, self–discipline, managerial skills, integrity and high level personal ethics and abilities that transform ideas to preferred outcome, and ability to relate to clients and colleagues (Fanimo, 2015).

Oh, they do! But perhaps, unknowingly, it is not at the forefront of everyone’s priority list.

So, why focus on soft skills now? Current employees are unable to think critically, debate diplomatically, view issues from several angles, and communicate effectively (Cengage, 2020).

I believe that, as technology and automation bloom, job candidates will need ‘uniquely human’ skills.

The journey of discovery and knowledge is beyond imagination; just go for it.

In order to excel, soft skills are vital.

Therefore, how do you stand out amidst those potential candidates? Your added advantage to top the icing on the cake; soft skills!

SYAZUIN SAZALI is a certified English language and soft skills coach. She aims to continuously advocate for progressive growth in education. Linkedin & Instagram: @syazuinsazali, Email: [email protected]