The flexibility and temporality that characterize the labor market today , with serious difficulties not only to create employment, but to preserve the existing one , forces workers to retrain and provide added value to keep their job. When faced with an ERE or a workforce reduction, companies must choose who to fire and who not to, and they do so not only based on the knowledge and skills of the employee, but also based on another series of more transversal competencies, such as their communication, leadership, networking or identification with the corporate identity. That is, the so-called “soft” skills , which have as much or more weight than the “hard” skills and are decisive when there is equality of skills with other workers.
To develop “soft” skills and earn points to stay in a job, the deputy director of Aol Jobs Mariya Pylayev offers a series of tips that could be summarized, as a decalogue, in these keys.
1. Learn to accept criticism
The best way to avoid criticism is to listen to it, reflect on it and introduce the necessary changes so that it is not repeated. Everyday work must be continuous learning, so it is normal to make mistakes, and even positive if they help us evolve and learn. Sometimes we may not share a superior’s reproach, but rightly or wrongly, we have no choice but to resign ourselves and be proactive, applying the maxim that ‘the boss is always right ‘ .
The worst attitude in these cases, points out the expert in labor issues, is to become defensive. On the one hand, it will prevent us from learning from the error, while on the other it will generate an unnecessary discussion , in most cases, which even if we are right, we are doomed to lose, since the last word is not usually that of the worker.
2. Flexibility and adaptation
You must always be proactive and decisive so as not to burden superiors with more work.
The new parameters of the labor market and the speed with which changes are being introduced, from technological to legislative, force us to always be updated, attentive to new demands and needs . Learning must be constant and, in the words of Pylayev, “we must always pay attention to what is happening on the road to change gears when the moment requires it.” If this attitude predominates, he adds, we will have enough confidence and capacity to face new challenges that at first seemed impossible to us.” Wanting is power.
3. Resolution capacity
The last thing a boss expects from his workers is for them to create problems. If one arises, it is best to present it with a series of proposals to solve it . You must always be proactive and decisive so as not to burden your superiors with more work, which is what is expected and valued from a good employee.
4. Motivation and confidence
To advance and achieve work objectives it is essential to have a good dose of self-confidence. If we do not believe in what we do, in our capabilities, it will be difficult for others to do so. The first step to achieving goals is to visualize them, make ourselves aware that we are capable of reaching them and make an effort every day.
5. Don’t lose sight of ethical values
The jungle that some workplaces have become is causing the most basic moral principles to be neglected. Ultra-competitiveness is taking over collaboration, which can lead us to neglect ethical values. On many occasions, this environment makes workers forget that they work for the same company, that they have common objectives and that they are colleagues, instead of enemies. This transformation is increasingly causing human resources managers to pay attention to and value the moral principles of candidates when hiring them, according to the deputy director of Aol Jobs.
6. Know how to work under pressure
As the writer Robert Louis Stevenson stated , “life is not a question of having good cards, but of knowing how to play a bad hand well.” Many times we are forced to work against time and other obstacles that make our work difficult. Therefore, getting used to managing pressure, controlling stressful situations and staying calm, will help us get ahead in the best possible way and earn points in our professional career. Being able to meet assigned deadlines is today one of the issues most valued by employers.
7. Work as a team
Ultra-competitiveness is taking over collaboration, which can lead us to neglect ethical values
Collaboration and coordination with other colleagues are increasingly important requirements when we perform group tasks. The complexity of many jobs requires them to be carried out as a team, for which it is necessary to know how to assume responsibilities, comply with demands as best as possible and have certain leadership skills . For the head of Aol Jobs, teamwork is like an orchestra: a single musician can ruin the work of the rest of the colleagues, so you have to pay attention and give your all to make it work.”
8. Planning
Time management is essential to accomplish tasks , at least the most important ones, knowing how to discern between what is accessory and what is urgent or priority. To do this, it is necessary to have a good capacity for planning, discipline, perseverance and awareness of how far our capabilities can go so as not to burden ourselves with too many tasks that later fall by the wayside.
9. Communication skills
The power of language is often underestimated in the workplace, but the ability to relate and maintain fluid communication both transversally and from the bottom up is essential for proper performance in a job. For the deputy director of Aol Jobs, this is another of the assets that are being lost the most among workers, especially among young people, which is why they are increasingly valued more.
10. Positivism
Optimism is an attitude that makes work easier, not only for oneself, but for the rest of the colleagues . Looking at the glass half full, rather than half empty, not only makes work more enjoyable, but also less stressful and even relaxing. In addition, various studies have shown that maintaining a positive attitude increases productivity by creating a good work environment.
