Soft Work Skills

Communication skills are ways we give and receive information by speaking or listening to others. There are many different ways we can communicate with others, but two of the main ways we do it are by using verbal communication and nonverbal communication. Verbal communication is using spoken words to give someone information. Verbal communication includes sounds, language, and tone of voice. Nonverbal communication is when you do not speak, but you are still communicating through facial expressions such as smiling or frowning, and even through gestures, such as nodding your head to let someone know you are listening to them. If you notice that you interrupt others while they’re speaking, you are not giving your full attention, or you get frustrated when talking to others, you may struggle with communication.

How can I improve my communication skills?

• Use self-cues when speaking to others to remind yourself to wait your turn to speak. For example: “Don’t speak until the other person is finished speaking."
• Mentally practice a conversation in your head before speaking to others. Think of questions you might want to ask them, and think of what you might want to respond to them to help your conversations go more smoothly.
• To let others know you’re actively listening to them: Make eye contact and use nonverbal communication such as head nodding and hand gestures

Problem solving skills are skills that help us handle hard or unexpected situations. When there is a problem, these skills help you think of ways you can fix a difficult situation. If you struggle with making decisions and dealing with problems, you might struggle with problem-solving.

How can I improve my problem-solving skills?

• Ask for an on-site mentor that can help you learn the rules of your workplace and can help you improve your problem-solving skills
• A mentor can be someone who has lots of experience with the job and can help you prepare for possible problems that might happen at work
• The mentor can work with you to come up with helpful problem-solving strategies

This is an important skill because it’s what sets you apart from others and makes you a good worker. Professionalism has to do with things such as being on time to work, your behaviors when working with others, and the way you dress for work. If you struggle to be on time for work, struggle to work with others, or struggle with dressing the right way for work, you might have a hard time with professionalism.

How can I improve my professional skills?

• Being on time: Set an alarm/reminder for an hour or two before your shift begins to remind yourself when you are supposed to get to work to give yourself plenty of time to avoid being late.
• Working with others: Closely monitor your typical habits to help gain self-awareness and avoid unnecessary or unwanted behaviors.
• Dressing properly: Set out your work clothes the night before so you know exactly what you are supposed to wear to work for the day

Teamwork is an important skill needed to help you and the people you work with be successful at your job. Teamwork is when you work well with others to reach a goal and get a job done. If you get frustrated easily when working with others, you don’t know how to get a task done with someone else, or you don’t like working with others, you might struggle with teamwork.

How can I improve my teamwork skills?

• Communicate frequently with the people you work with
• Practice active listening and be understanding with others
• Be patient
• Be kind

Time management skills mean that you are able to recognize more important tasks and get them done first to avoid missing deadlines and getting behind. Managing your time well is important so you don’t show up late to work, you get tasks done when you’re asked to get them done, and so you do not get overwhelmed while working. If you notice that you are always late for work and cannot do things on time, you might need help improving your time management skills.

How can I improve my time management skills?

• Make checklists of tasks in order of most important to least important
• Write reminders on sticky notes or put reminders in your phone
• Create a daily planner/schedule to help you remember the things you need to do
• Ask for extra time to complete tasks to accommodate your disability

Attitude is the way you show your actions and reactions during certain situations. Having a good attitude at work is important to show your boss and others that you care about your work. If you feel like you’re in a bad mood while at work and you do not feel happy with your job or with others, you might need help improving your attitude.

How can I improve my attitude?

• Have a positive attitude at work
• Smile often
• Control your thoughts and emotions
• Become friends with your coworkers
• Be kind to yourself and others

Dependability is an important skill that lets others know you take your job seriously and that you care about it. Being a dependable person means that you get things done when you say you will, and that other people, such as your boss, can trust you to complete your job tasks. You might struggle with dependability if you get in trouble often for not getting things done, or if you say you will do something and do not do it.

How can I improve dependability?

• Remove unnecessary distractions
• Arrange your workspace in an organized/arranged manner: Keep the things that you use the most in the same place in plain sight and put away the things you don’t use as often somewhere it can be easily accessed
• Double check your work for mistakes
• Ask for help when you need it
• Follow a list of steps to complete a task
• Create a routine: Identify the time of day where your attention is best so you can get things done

Stamina means that you can be physically active and/or think for a long period of time. If you notice that you do not feel motivated or that you become tired easily when working, you may struggle with stamina.

How can I improve my stamina?

• Get plenty of sleep the night before work
• Take plenty of rest breaks: Have a designated rest area/private space
• Break down larger work tasks into smaller tasks
• Practice deep breathing techniques to reduce stress and help improve stamina: For example, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth as many times as you need to