Finding the right candidate in today’s job market is just as much about the soft skills they possess as it is the technical skills. Soft skills are innate and can help you find that diamond in the rough among the many that have applied for the position. With soft skills, your business will gain, and your new hire will be better apt to acclimate to your organization. But, how exactly do you determine what a job candidate’s soft skills are? These tips can help you identify if you are hiring the right person for the job based on their soft skills.
It’s All In The Appearance
They say that first impressions can make or break an interview. The adage is right as this gives you the first clue into what type of soft skills a job candidate has. Candidates that are confident and care about their appearance will look the part and greet you with a firm handshake. Those lacking that self-esteem and finesse will appear disheveled and out of their element. This can give you an immediate inside look into what type of soft skills a job seeker has and whether or not you want to take a chance on hiring them.
Ask The Right Questions
During the interview, you want to find out as much as possible about your job candidate. Understanding what soft skills they have is more than a “yes” or “no” question game. Dig deeper and ask those behavioral questions that can help you see what soft skills they bring to the table. Ask problem-solving questions or questions about stressful situations. This will give you an idea of how a new hire will handle pressure, decisions, and their role within your company.
Have Them Perform With Your Team
You are already pleased with the team you have and filling that open spot needs to mesh with your current players. Having a job candidate work with your team on a project before they are hired can let you see how they perform with others. Is there open communication? Did they bring value or ideas to the project? Some careful observing can be telling and help you understand exactly what this person can add to your team of professionals.
Watch Their Body Language
Body language is key to see how comfortable and cooperative you job candidate is. Since your new hire will be working with a range of people from customers to other employees, make sure they are approachable and enjoyable to be around. Watch their body language for cues that they are excited about the opportunity, can communicate well, and are open to meeting new people. Candidates that are closed off and fidgety can pose a real issue when trying to work with others. This may be a red flag that they won’t fit well with your organization based on soft skills they are missing.
Are They A Member?
Finding job candidates that are members of organizations, associations, or clubs can really point you in the direction of their social skills. These types of memberships can show that your job seeker has initiative and can work in a social setting. Through these memberships, your job candidate has learned about the industry as well as about how to get along with others. They need to communicate during the many events these organizations hold, and networking may be a skill set that you need on your team. This can help your business advance in customer service or employee care.
Assess And Test
One of the most definitive ways to identify exactly what soft skills a job candidate possesses is through testing. There is a myriad of tests that you can perform to rank, order and understand the soft skills that your new hire will bring to your company. Having your job seeker perform an array of assessments such as a psychometric test, can ensure you have found the right person for the job within your company.
Soft skills are becoming increasingly more important as companies look to add additional value to their business beyond technical skills. While technical skills are still important to a job position, a candidate that also has a variety of soft skills can provide a huge boost for your business. When you are looking to add new soft skills to your tech team, contact Resolute Technologies. We have access to an extensive range of talented job seekers and can help you find the right one for your company.