Top 7 high-demand soft skills to learn for professional development

What are soft skills? Soft skills, also known as people skills or interpersonal skills, are character traits that you develop to become more effective in your career and personal life. The top seven soft skills to learn for professional development are often in demand by employers, especially as the gig economy continues to grow.

Top 7 high-demand soft skills to learn for professional development

1. Personal Branding Skills:

Learning personal branding skills, such as communication and leadership, will set you apart from other candidates when it comes time to apply for a new job. Not only are they easy to develop and maintain, but they’ll also help you gain the confidence you need to advance your career.

2. Emotional Intelligence Skills:

Being mindful of the impact our words and actions have on those around us is a vital part of being an engaged, productive member of society. Studies show that increased self-awareness leads to increased emotional intelligence and happiness, as well as improved relationships with others. Mindfulness means paying attention on purpose in a nonjudgmental way.

3. Decision-Making Skills:

Do you know the benefit of decision-making? Many people think it's about choosing between two choices. Decisions make up your future, and if you don't make a good one, your career could be at stake. If you're not sure whether you should pursue more schooling or stay in the workforce to gain experience, explore both opportunities before making an informed decision. Then when an opportunity arises, your intuition will help lead you in the right direction.

4. Public Speaking Skills:

Public speaking is often looked at as a show of confidence and may even help your success rate as an entrepreneur. Public speaking will also be very helpful in jobs involving marketing, where presenting to a room or providing guidance on a specific topic will be important. Luckily, there are many different ways to perfect your public speaking abilities! Get ready by mastering the basics with Toastmasters International or from TED Talk videos, then when you feel like you're good enough start using SlideShare and YouTube.

5. Communication Skills:

Communication is a vital life skill. Without it, one cannot effectively interact with the world around them. Communication allows us to present our thoughts and ideas effectively and articulate them in a way that will be understood by the person or people we are communicating with.

6. Negotiation Skills:

Being able to negotiate and excelling in excellent interpersonal communication will make you a valuable asset. 

Learn the skill of negotiation and become skilled at understanding other people's positions by putting yourself in their shoes.

7. Time Management Skills:

One important skill that many people struggle with is managing their time. The following are some tips on how to improve your time management skills: 

Make a plan – Be sure to block out time on your calendar every day before you go to work. This can help make sure your day is managed and will give you a way of knowing what's coming up. Prioritize – Prioritize tasks according to importance and break large projects into smaller, more manageable pieces.