Don’t ignore your soft skills!

There is no doubt that technical skills are the first step in landing an interview. However, the majority of hiring managers believe that soft skills play a bigger role in the hiring process. In recent times, the role of the developer is becoming more customers facing while communication with other departments has been a daily task. Developing your emotional intelligence such as communicating, problem-solving and time management is the key to getting a job offer.

Probably now you are thinking of taking an online course for developing your soft skills and simply check this task. But, it is not just another task. Soft skills could not be learned through courses. Instead, it is the ability that grows in your day-to-day life through specific circumstances and especially through the tough ones. From an early age, you joined many social settings and communicate with persons you didn’t even know. The same situation was in college when you attended group projects with different students each time. Those were challenges that help you overcome your insecurities and you grow personally.  The same challenging settings are likely to appear in the working environment, too. For that reason, you need to do more personal practice and step out of your comfort zone while developing your emotional intelligence.

A great software engineer knows how to communicate effectively, present the problem, and offer solutions. In order to adapt that skill, firstly you need to know how to listen intently. Apart from using your ears and hearing what the person is saying, it is essential to get a sense of what they are feeling and what they really trying to express. In that way you can relate better to the problem and add a more valuable opinion or solution to the problem.  Also, reading books or articles can help you express yourself better. Reading boosts your vocabulary and sharpens your communication skills as well. Being a good communicator also shows readiness to teach and help other employees when they are facing a problem.  It essential for a software engineer to be approachable with co-workers. This skill usually develops when you get yourself in different situations in your everyday life. Having hobbies outside of work and socializing, is a great practice for working well with others while sharing the same interests. Hence, you will be able to offer assistance for the greater good of the company. Having hobbies benefits your collaboration skills as well. Successful engineers know that it takes a team of people to get the job done. Being a good team player and willing to offer your services in the field you excel is fundamental for project success. So, try not to spare your free time in video games and start attending events and workshops that can offer you personal growth.

Being a software engineer in a company or organization is not only coding. Most part of the day, you will be interacting with your team, manager, or even with other departments. Underestimating soft skills may lead to a problem. On the other hand, healthy soft skills are crucial for achieving your goals and even get a promotion.  Considering the above you will be able to present reports fluently, manage your team beneficially, and deal with conflicts promptly. After all, employee performance and good collaboration are critical to the overall progress of the company and creating in an ideal working environment.