Here is your first DB assignment. I wanted to allow us to discuss relevant and essential topics that directly address your success as a business professional. There are no right or wrong answers. The point is to give you a forum to express your feelings and observations and react to and with your classmates. Also, these topics will help you develop a point of view on topics and issues that you should consider before you enter the workforce and once you are engaged.

You can earn up to $10$ points for the DB assignments. You must enter a DB post and meaningfully react to at least three classmates to earn total points. This means a thoughtful and intelligent response$/$argument$/$ reaction. Responses like "I agree with you." or "That was a good post." will not be acceptable. You should read other entries and react as if you were having a conversation. We will be looking for critical thinking and intelligent and thoughtful discourse.

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Though hard skills show off your experience and understanding of a particular, measurable ability, soft skills often indicate your ability to work with others and grow within a company. Soft skills help you build relationships and solve problems to use your hard skills to their full extent. Listing soft skills on your resume, demonstrating them in an interview, and developing them in the workplace can support your career and open you to new opportunities.

In this article, we review ten of the key reasons why soft skills are essential and how they can strengthen your job application.

Related: Hard Skills vs$.$ Soft SkillsLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.

Who uses soft skills?

Some professions, like customer service, are synonymous with soft skills, but everyone uses soft skills regardless of their job. Any time you interact with a coworker, client, or customer, you can use soft skills to make your work easier, better, or more efficient. Managing time, adapting to new situations, and working well under pressure are all soft skills that transfer to any workplace environment at any level of experience.

Why are soft skills critical?

Employers recognize the importance of soft skills in the workplace, so people must put soft skills at the forefront of job applications. Soft skills demonstrate that you understand the characteristics that will help you succeed within an organization and your position. Here are some top reasons soft skills are essential when finding a job and growing your career. Soft skills:

Indicate longevity

When hiring for a position, most employers look for signs that an applicant will stay at their company long$-$term. If an employee shows the capacity to grow at a company, that employer will not have to expend more resources hiring a replacement. Soft skills like conflict resolution, commitment, and motivation can make you a long$-$term employer asset. Your attitude towards work is one of the most critical indicators of longevity at a job, and employers may use longevity to decide between two similar applicants.

Measure teamwork

If you're applying for a position as part of a team, the hiring manager will judge your application partly based on how well you can fit into a group dynamic. Employers use soft skills to measure your teamwork and communication abilities. Regardless of your technical skills, you need to be a team player to use them effectively. List soft skills like flexibility and active listening on your resume to appeal to an employer's goal of finding a great team member.

Maintain relationships

Soft skills not only support your workplace relationships but also determine your success working with clients and business partners. Employers seek out employees they can trust to represent the company in a professional and friendly way. Soft skills differentiate between candidates who are qualified for a job and candidates who will exceed expectations by putting effort into their professional relationships. People with a good disposition for customer service are good for business in any industry at any level of experience.

Related: $10$ Communication Skills to Add to Your ResumeLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.

Grow a network

Soft skills are critical for creating and growing your network and making professional contacts in the workplace. People with solid and soft skills have a curious attitude that allows them to pursue professional leads and develop industry knowledge quickly. Employers rely on people with a reliable professional network to help them make business connections, provide professional development, and even make hiring decisions. If you can recommend helpful services due to your network, your employer will likely value your opinions and ideas more highly.

Facilitate growth