Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that characterise a person's relationships with other people. These are the more intangible and non-technical abilities that are sought from Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme candidates. Soft skills are the difference between adequate candidates and ideal candidates.
In most competitive job markets, recruitment criteria are not limited to technical ability and specialist knowledge. Academic results and work experience still play a fundamental role, but employers also value other skills, which often derive from life experiences. You may be surprised by the variety of skills - not just languages - with which you will return home with after a period of study and work abroad: Erasmus+ and The Alan Turing programme proposed by UK Government are great examples of life skills experience.
Many of these fall into the category of "soft skills", or social skills, and are among the most requested by employers. A study experience abroad with Erasmus+ or the Turing Scheme programme will help you to acquire a lot of practical skills and, in particular, language skills that are so fundamental in today's world. However, studying while immersed in another culture will not only allow you to broaden your vocabulary, but will also positively affect your life.
Able communicators can adjust their tone and style according to their audience, comprehend and act efficiently on instructions, and explain complex issues to colleagues and clients alike.
Having a positive attitude and the initiative to work well without around-the-clock supervision is a vital soft skill for any worker.
Leadership is a soft skill you can show even if you’re not directly managing others. Those with strong leadership skills will have the ability to inspire others and lead teams to success. This is why it is a particularly sought-after skill.
This ability is a seldom talked-about but a highly valued soft skill. Colleagues who fail to take responsibility for their work will be less productive and less successful overall.
Like leadership, good teamwork involves a combination of other soft skills and shows the employer that you can not only work on your own but also share tasks with colleagues.
Problem solving does not just require analytical, creative, and critical skills, but a particular mindset; those who can approach a problem with a cool and level head will often reach a solution more efficiently than those who cannot. This is a soft skill which can often rely on strong teamwork too.
Decisiveness is characterised by the ability to make quick and effective decisions. It does not mean recklessness or impulsiveness!
Many jobs come with demanding deadlines and, sometimes, high stakes. Recruiters prize candidates who show a decisive attitude, an unfaltering ability to think clearly, and a capacity to compartmentalise and set stress aside.
This is an important soft skill, since it demonstrates an ability and willingness to embrace new tasks and new challenges calmly and without fuss. Flexible workers are willing to help out where needed, take on extra responsibilities and can adapt quickly when plans change.
This depends on strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish a rapport with colleagues and clients alike.
Now that you are familiar of these 10 soft skills that can make a difference during your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme internship, take some time to reflect on whether or not you have these abilities. Are there any that you can expand or improve and how can you do so? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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