Soft skills 'can be more important than qualifications'

Having so-called 'soft skills' in the workplace can be even more beneficial than an array of academic achievements, one specialist has explained.

According to Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of thecareerbreaksite.com, the country's employers are increasingly thinking about the contribution that candidates can make to their organisation and are as such looking beyond qualifications.

She noted that many employers are on the hunt for people who have done things in the past that show they operate well as a member of a team, with candidates who have taken a career break often attractive to hiring managers.

"[They have] developed a wide range of skills, both practical skills - like learning a language - and soft skills such as teamwork or problem-solving. Some employers now say that soft skills are more important than qualifications," the expert added.

Ms Morgan-Trimmer noted that taking a career break also looks good on CVs, as it is not just about the skills they have learnt, but also the fact that they have had the confidence and initiative to get out there and do something different.

"This immediately sets them apart from other job-seekers, which is important in a competitive job market," she explained.

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Posted by Nikki Barrister

Filed: 27-01-2012