How to recruit with softer skills in mind

Are you looking to fill a position at your small business, but overwhelmed by the thought of trying to find the perfect candidate? Do you need someone with the right mix of enthusiasm, attitude, and professionalism? If you’re struggling to decide what skills to look for, don’t overlook the importance of soft skills. In this article, we’ll go over what to keep in mind when recruiting with softer skills in mind.

1. What are Soft Skills and Why Recruiting with Them in Mind is Essential

Soft skills, also known as “people skills or interpersonal skills” are anything related to how people interact with each other. They are hugely important for any business, as they often determine the success of a team, and the progress of a company and its projects. Examples of soft skills include communication, leadership, team-building, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, and adaptability.

Recruiting with soft skills in mind is essential, because the right mix of soft skills will make a team successful. A team of highly talented individuals may not always be the most successful if they don’t have the right set of soft skills to be able to work together and effectively reach their goals. Good communication, trust, and leadership help significantly when competing with rivals, and can be the difference when companies are driving for growth. It is hard to quantify the impact soft skills have when compared to hard skills, but it can’t be argued that having the right people with the right soft skills in a team is essential for success.

• Communication
• Leadership
• Team-building
• Problem-solving
• Creativity
• Resilience
• Adaptability

2. Identifying the Soft Skills You Need in Your New Hire

Soft skills are essential for any new hire. Many times, when employers are looking at resumes, they focus on technical qualifications and overlook the importance of soft skills. Soft skills can’t be taught; they are underlying traits that an employee has that make them successful. When searching for the perfect candidate to hire, it’s important to keep soft skills in mind and identify the ones your new hire needs.

Here are some soft skills to consider when bringing in a new hire:

• Leadership: Can they make decisions, take initiative, and motivate their team?
• Teamwork: Can they collaborate well with others and work towards a common goal?
• Adaptability: Are they able to adjust to changing circumstances, tackle new challenges, and learn new technologies quickly?
• Professionalism: How well do they communicate, stay organized, and show respect to their colleagues?
• Time Management: Do they set goals and meet deadlines while also considering their team’s needs?

These are just a few of the necessary soft skills to consider when bringing someone on board. Keep in mind that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to identify the specific soft skills your new hire needs to have for the position.

3. Crafting a Job Description that Attracts the Right Soft Skills

Finding the right fit for a job isn’t only about the hard skills in the technical requirements for the position. When it comes to growing businesses, soft skills are the most important assets. They make the difference between a team just chugging along and one that is working together productively and harmoniously.

Crafting a great job description that attracts employees with the right soft skills requires going a step beyond enumerating technical competencies. To draw out the passion of the most engaged professionals, consider these elements:

• Share a Vision – Make the mission of the organization clear to the candidate in the job description. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and discuss the core values.
• Show Your Culture – Job applicants will be attracted by the fun, positive culture within your organization. Describe that culture through company outings and events, introduce the team, and outline opportunities to learn.
• Highlight Growth Potential – Make sure the job description accurately represents what makes your team and organization unique. Show the learning opportunities, growth potential, and indicate that you are open to new ideas.

Having a well-crafted job description that outlines not only the technical qualifications for the position, but also its team culture and growth potential is essential for successfully attracting the right employees. Your job description should be precise, showcasing the unique aspects of your organization so job seekers can quickly understand the offer.

4. Evaluating Potential Candidates with Soft Skills in Mind

Finding the right candidate can be a daunting task, but the soft skills they possess are a great place to start. While technical skills are important, they alone don’t paint the full picture. When evaluating prospective candidates, considering the intangible qualities they bring to the table can help you choose the best individual for the job.

When evaluating potential prospects, look for:

• Collaborative abilities: Is the candidate a team player willing to jump in and help out?
• Creative problem solving: Are they able to defy convention, think outside of the box, or provide innovative solutions?
• Leadership potential: Does the potential candidate have the characteristics to be an effective leader?

It’s important to remember that soft skills go beyond the technical and can be the difference between hiring someone average vs. someone extraordinary. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when evaluating potential hires and look for candidates that have the potential to surpass what is expected of them. Now that you have a better understanding of how to recruit with softer skills in mind, you can take the steps necessary to create a positive and successful team dynamic. With some preparation, time, and effort, it is possible to find the right combination of skills and personalities that will be beneficial to your company. By emphasizing the importance of softer skills, you set yourself up for continued success.