Soft Skills for Information Technology (IT) Jobs

Soft Skills for Information Technology (IT) Jobs Soft Skills for Information Technology (IT) Jobs Strong  technical skills  are essential for any IT (information technology) position. However, IT employees also need  soft skills, sometimes known as  interpersonal skills. IT professionals need to be able to interact successfully  with others, as well as manage projects and teams. Often, those working in the tech industry are assumed to be socially awkward. While this works in movies and television shows, employers have found that many IT professionals possess as many interpersonal skills as anyone else. Technology experts suffering from more severe social handicaps (such as functional forms of autism) are able to practice and learn interpersonal and other soft skills to help them integrate well within a team. What Are IT Soft Skills? Information technology (IT) is a  wide field of job positions. Some are engineers with PhDs, and others are high school graduates helping a secretary install software on their computer. Regardless, those working in IT often forget that it is not enough to know all the technical skills and software proficiencies. Job descriptions often require IT professionals to interact with others, manage resources, and even lead companies at an executive level. Even if youve got solid  hard skills, employers will evaluate your soft skills as you move through the  hiring process. For many roles, youll  need hybrid skills  - a combination of technical and non-technical skills. Types of IT Soft Skills Communication With the number of emails, proposals, and design documents an IT professional writes, clear  and  compelling  written  communication  is essential. Effective  verbal communication  is equally important. As an IT employee, you often have to explain technical processes in clear, easy-to-understand terms for customers and employers. You must  also be able to explain your ideas in such a way as to make others want to support and finance your projects. Oral CommunicationWritten CommunicationConcisionCollaboration Creativity IT professionals are constantly looking toward the future; anticipating and developing solutions for potential tech problems and needs. This sort of forward thinking requires a lot of imagination and creative  problem-solving. Employers look for tech professionals who are able to  conceive unique solutions. ImaginationForward ThinkingProblem SolvingStrategyOpen-mindednessAnalytical Skills Determination IT projects can stall because of a variety of issues: financial problems, issues with vendors, problems with software, hardware or processes, a lack of teamwork, or one of many other reasons. It is important for an IT professional to stay focused on the ultimate goal and continue to work toward that result. Beginning a project with a clear and realistic timeline and budget can help you achieve your ultimate goal. Your employer will be impressed with your ability not only to  plan a project, but  also to see it through to completion. ResilienceProject ManagementStress ManagementProblem SensitivityBrainstormingTroubleshootingRestructuringProcess Improvement Flexibility IT professionals often face setbacks or unexpected changes, ranging from a technical problem with their project to a last-minute issue with a vendor. You need to  learn to be flexible, accepting these changes and immediately looking for creative solutions. Employers will appreciate this flexibility. Similarly, you must be open to suggestions and feedback, whether from an employer or a client. Listen attentively to any feedback you receive and be open to making necessary changes to improve satisfaction. Fast LearnerAdaptabilityResiliencePrioritizingQuick ThinkingAttention to Detail Leadership Even if you are not in a management position, you will often be asked to manage a project or team, if only for a brief period. Being a project manager requires strong  leadership skills, the ability to delegate tasks, and a constant focus on the end goal. As an IT professional, you may also be involved in client and vendor management. It is essential that you know how to communicate with clients and vendors  effectively to ensure your companys needs are being met efficiently. Project ManagementTeam BuildingCollaborationDecision MakingMentoringEncouragingIntegrity Negotiation No matter what your position in IT, you will need some form of  negotiation skills, from making hiring decisions to collaborating with vendors or contractors to selling your idea to an organization. Being able to come to an agreement that satisfies both parties is a great soft skill that will make you stand out, particularly if you want to be promoted to a management position. Reaching ConsensusProblem SensitivityAwareness for Diversity in Religion and EthnicityFocusConflict Management Presentation A presentation can be anything from a one-on-one conversation to a department meeting or lecture. Whatever the form, you need to be able to articulate your ideas clearly to others. Even if your ideas are great, no one will be able to appreciate them if you cannot convey them effectively. Working on your approachability, verbal communication, and your familiarity with presentation tools will help you to  strengthen your presentation skills. EngagingPublic SpeakingArticulationHumorSales More IT Soft Skills Logical ThinkingAssessmentEvaluatingConsultingOrganizationMemoryInnovationCommitmentVisionCoordinationGoal OrientedJudgmentInitiativeMultitaskingOngoing ImprovementPicking Up on PatternsAbility to Work IndependentlyFollow DirectionsTrainingEmotional IntelligenceResearch SolutionsOptimizationIntegrationAccuracyInvestigationBuilding and Managing Expectations How to Make Your Skills Stand Out Add Skills to Your Resume:  Include some of these skills in your  resume, especially in the description of your  work history  and your  resume summary, if you have one.Highlight Skills in Your Cover Letter:  Mention one or two of the skills listed above and give specific examples of instances when you demonstrated these traits in prior work.Mention Skills in Your Job Interview:  Keep the top skills listed above in mind during your interview and be prepared to give examples of how youve exemplified each