Soft Skills for Information Technology (IT) Jobs

Soft Skills for Information Technology (IT) JobsSoft Skills for Information Technology (IT) JobsStrongtechnical skillsare essential for any IT (information technology) position. However, IT employees also needsoft skills, sometimes known asinterpersonal skills. IT professionals need to be able to interact successfullywith 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 awide field of job positions. Some are engineers with PhDs, and others are high school graduates helping a secretary install softw are 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 solidhard skills, employers will evaluate your soft skills as you move through thehiring process. For many roles, youllneed 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, clearandcompellingwrittencommunicationis essential. Effectiveverbal communicationis equally important. As an IT employee, you often have to explain technical processes in clear, easy-to-understand terms for customers and employers. You mustalso be able to explain your ideas in such a way as to make others want to support and finance your projects. Oral Communicati onWritten 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 creativeproblem-solving. Employers look for tech professionals who are able toconceive 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 toplan a project, butalso to landsee it through to compl etion. 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 tolearn 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 strongleadership 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 vendorseffectively 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 ofnegotiation 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 i deas 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 tostrengthen 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 ResumeInclude some of these skills in yourresume, especially in the description of yourwork historyand yourresume summary, if you have one.Highlight Skills in Your Cover LetterMention 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 InterviewKeep the top skills listed above in mind during your interview and be prepared to give examples of how youve exemplified each