It wasn't quite long before I discovered that "Soft Skills" is actually a term on its own, even though I've been practicing and growing these skills, I never knew how important it was not until my younger sister came back from an interview one day feeling defeated and asking what the hell soft skills meant, so we looked it up, in simple terms, Soft skills are non-technical skills which we learn and build through experience, we don't necessarily have to take a course on them, and it is important to note that they are very vital and efficient skills, as they help us adapt in our working environment and also how we relate to our fellow workers for optimum output.

So in case you get asked the same question someday, don't go bragging about your typing speed, like my sister did because she was applying for the role of a receptionist, so she thought those were the kind of skills referred to.

It is without any doubt that the world we live in today is evolving very fast, gone are those days when all you had to do was go to school and, study about a field of discipline, in about 4 to 5 years, you already have a definite job/career path to follow for the rest of your life, being a graduate was the top shot, but now things have changed, and we have lots of unemployed graduates scattered round the country, not sure of their next line of action towards their career because the truth is there are no jobs available for them, and the ones that manage to find one are not capable of functioning in the work environment, as there would always be a constant need for adaptability and flexibility on their part.

It is now glaring that being a proficient engineer, doctor, lawyer, teacher, or whatever you do is not enough anymore, while having these technical skills is essential, it must also be complemented with soft skills, which are the qualities you possess that enable you to thrive in whatever work environment you find yourself.

Do you know that these skills are what make us stand out as humans amid AI threats and taking over our jobs, these skills cannot be replicated by machines no matter how hard they try, the human role-playing their part is distinct and employers are aware of this value we possess as humans, reason why you would often find them ask this question during an interview. Having known that I'm sure you can't wait to find out what these skills are that have become indispensable in the modern job market.

1. Communication Skills

This as far has to be the very first and vital soft skill, as we can't do without communication in our daily personal and work lives, we communicate whether digitally or physically to pass across information easily, but if you lack effective communication skills, you could be misinterpreted and therefore affecting your productivity especially when working with a team, so we need to build effective communication skill irrespective of what your profession is.

1. Emotional Intelligence

This gives us more advantage over machines, as humans, we are emotional beings, but it is also important for us to know how to recognize and manage not just our emotions but others as well, I recently watched a movie where a woman was employed as a shopping consultant because she could easily tell what a client needed judging from their outlook and emotional display, because of how good she was In reading and helping clients manage their motions, she made more sales than the company had ever recorded, our emotions has the power to take us high or bring is down depending on how much control we have, so it is important we build ourselves into managing our emotions, as one with high emotional intelligence can create a positive and more productive work environment.

1. Adaptability and Flexibility

The question I get asked lately is why I choose to pursue a new career path in computer science even though I work as a fashion designer, people easily forget that the current world is fast changing and one of its sure directions is that it is technology-driven, and it is important we move along with pace or we get left behind, gone are those where a fashion illustrator, for instance, spends hours sketching a design with pencil and paper, now there is software available to assist us with that, it's still our creative idea, but using them helps make the bringing to life process faster and less labor, that's where adaptation and flexibility come in, we must be open to changes, and be ready to adapt as it goes, or you become inefficient because you've been left behind.

These are just a few of the basic soft skills we need to thrive in the ever-changing world, remember that these skills are developed over time through practice and self-awareness, and I think every employer would like to see an intending employee exhibit some of these skills, especially the effective communication skill during a job interview, as having this qualities can set us apart and position us for long-term success in our chosen career path or any at all.

This post is inspired by the #Juneinleo monthly promptday 17, which you can also be a part of, don't get stuck with writing topics, check it out.

_{Images used are gotten from canva}

Thanks for reading.❤❤