As we move further into the 21st century, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive. While technical skills and qualifications are important, they are no longer enough to set job candidates apart from the rest of the pack. Instead, employers are looking for candidates with a combination of technical skills and soft skills.
For Generation Z, the importance of soft skills is huge. You can call them "people skills", "interpersonal skills," or “good vibes” and they include things like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. They are essential for success in any field, but particularly in today's fast-paced and ever-changing job market.
One of the most crucial soft skills for Gen Zs is communication. This includes not only verbal communication, but also written communication and active listening. Here’s how you can leverage strong communication to earn a major edge in the workplace:
Better Collaboration: Good communication skills allow you to effectively convey your ideas and collaborate with others on projects, making you a valuable team player.
Improved Relationships: Good communication can help you build stronger relationships with your coworkers, bosses, and clients, making it easier to work together and get things done.
Confidence Boost: When you know you’re solid in expressing yourself clearly and effectively, it skyrockets your confidence and makes you feel more in control no matter what life or work throws at you
Are you wondering how to become a better communicator? These tips are pretty simple, but can have a huge impact.
Become a better listener! Pay attention to what others are saying and show that you're interested by asking questions and offering feedback.
Practice using simple language and avoid unnecessary jargon. This will help others perceive you in am more clear and concise way.
Empathy baby! Try to put yourself in other people's shoes and understand their perspectives.
Another key soft skill for Gen Zs is teamwork. As a Gen Z, you’re probably used to remote workplaces and flexible working arrangements, and that means teamwork skills are even more important. It's crucial that you can work well with others even when you're not in the same physical location. Here's why:
Efficient Workflow: Good teamwork skills help you work together seamlessly with your colleagues, even if you're not in the same location, guaranteeing everyone is on the same page and getting things done efficiently.
Better Problem-Solving: When you work well with others, you can pool your ideas and come up with creative solutions to problems, giving you a competitive advantage in the workplace.
Increased Morale: Working together as a team helps build a positive work environment, which in turn can increase your motivation and overall happiness on the job. And lets be real, we all want to enjoy our lives at work.
Problem-solving is another essential soft skill for Gen Zs as the ability to think critically and solve problems creatively is more important than ever. In order to be a valuable asset to your team, you should be able to think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems. Being skilled in problem-solving also increases productivity, and contributes to better collaboration.
Try these techniques to up your problem-solving game:
Challenge yourself to look at problems from different angles, which can help you come up with more unique solutions. Also seek out new and different problems to solve, both inside and outside of work.
Work with others to find solutions and learn from their perspectives and experiences. You don’t have to do it on your own, and others can teach you a ton in this area.
Use a structured approach to problem-solving, such as brainstorming or the "5 Whys" method, to ensure you're considering all the relevant factors.
Finally, emotional intelligence (EI)! As a Gen Z professional having strong skills in EI can be a key to success. This includes being self-aware, being able to manage your emotions, learning to be chill in tough situations, and being able to empathize with others.
So how can you develop it? Here are some tips:
Take time to reflect on your feelings and how they affect your behavior and relationships.
Try to put yourself in other people's shoes and understand their perspectives.
Find healthy ways to manage stress and maintain a positive outlook, even in challenging situations.
Ask for feedback from others and work to improve your EI skills over time.
As you can tell, having a strong set of soft skills is super important for your professional success. Employers obviously want to find candidates with technical skills, but don’t overlook developing your soft skills more as well.
As the world embraces AI tools to optimize keywords on their resumes, cover letters and Linkedin profiles, Gen Z is going to have to find new ways to communicate what differentiates them and their unique personality. Through Heyo stories, you can share more about your skills, interests and more though content formats that AI just hasn’t caught up to (yet!) such as audio and video. Through Heyo shout-outs, your emotional intelligence can really shine through when you practice both asking for shout-outs and sending them to others.
So Gen Z! We encourage you to continue building skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. You are a generation that cares deeply about authenticity and the outside world, embrace all that energy and apply it in your professional world too!