The Value of Soft Skills in a Job Interview

According to a study conducted by Harvard, Stanford and the Carnegie Foundation, 85% of one’s job success is based on their “soft skills,” their ability to put others at ease. When you fine-tune these skills, they can make a powerful impact on how others perceive you. Soft skills indicate how a person interacts and relates to their peers, partners, friends and family members. They are also a good indicator of how they will interact and communicate with their peers and clients. Soft skills are transferable and possessing strong soft skills means you are able to adapt to a variety of situations with flexibility, precision, empathy and understanding.

Technical skills, such as coding, programming and statistical analysis, are highly valued by employers as they are critical to securing a particular type of job. But social skills will keep you at your job because of your ability to build strong alliances with clients, peers, and your boss. Technical skills can be learned through specialized training, proving the competency of a particular trade or software. Soft skills are developed through experience and understanding and are vital when interviewing for a job. Here’s how can you highlight your soft skills:

Be the First to Introduce Yourself

Don’t wait for someone else to say their name first. Even at a job interview, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself with your first and last name to the receptionist at the front desk and then again to the recruiter when you meet virtually or face to face. Taking the lead in a friendly, confident manner shows respect and enthusiasm.

Greet with Your Feet

Anytime you meet someone, or someone walks up to speak to you, stand up before they arrive in your personal or professional space, which is approximately arm’s length. It shows respect for yourself and the other person, which creates an immediate connection. First impressions are based on small details and when a potential employee does not stand up to make an introduction, there is an instantaneous disconnect.

Use Your Teeth

It has been said that you can spot a smile from 300 feet away, the length of a football field. A genuine smile conveys trust and in order to make a real connection, the person must see your mouth move, your front teeth and your eyes crinkle. Sighted babies and babies without sight all smile the same way with a wide, gummy grin. As we age, we learn to purse our lips and bite our bottom lip and our smile becomes more controlled and less genuine. One study found that smiling can also make you a more creative and efficient worker. Soft skills convey warmth. 

Lean Into the Interview

Leaning away in your chair, rather than sitting upright and attentive sends the message you are not completely convinced the job is a good fit for you. It can also say you missed the lesson on how to sit at the table properly. Some people feel that leaning back in the chair makes them appear more relaxed and in control when, in fact, the opposite is true. It signals laziness or disinterest and can be an indicator of ownership before securing the prized position. A recruiter will observe this gesture and take a mental note.  

Don’t Touch What is Not Yours

Common sense dictates you respect another person’s personal property, but when someone feels nervous, they often fidget and touch items on the table or desk. So keep your space small and your hands above the table so they are visible. Feel free to take notes, but ask before reaching for a pen on the desk. Better yet, bring your own pen and notepad. Taking notes on a phone or computer is distracting and minimizes good eye contact.

Be Prepared for the Awkward Greeting

To shake, bump or tap is the commonly asked question these days. Everyone has a different comfort level and you can’t go wrong by following the interviewer’s lead. If they reach out for a handshake, you may not be ready to make contact as of yet. It’s a personal choice but be prepared to respond professionally, friendly and upbeat: “I am continuing to respect the contactless greeting for now if you don’t mind”. The vaccine has made it easier for many to resume a traditional handshake but it is certainly an individual choice. And judgement on both parts should be observed and respected. Just avoid the toe tap when possible and never be the first to start the toe tap dance!

Don’t Forget to Write

Within one business day of the interview, email a thank you note and follow up with a hard copy. It gives the interviewer two more reasons to remember you. An email can be saved and a personal note is another prompt that you are interested in the job. As you continue to polish your soft skills, refer to my tips on writing the perfect thank you note.

For more information check out The Protocol School of Texas. You may also like The Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Work Environment. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.