The pandemic has resulted in many employers being increasingly flexible when it comes to remote opportunities, which means the job market in 2022 is set to be more competitive than ever when it comes to job searching. It’s all well and good having relevant industry-specific skills when
applying for your dream job, but it’s also important to have a range of soft skills too. In this article we uncover the top 6 soft skills tech employers are likely to be looking for in 2022, and explain how you can demonstrate them in an interview.
The nature of the modern workplace means we all need to be ready for change in our day-to-day lives, even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic. Being able to embrace these changes and new ways of working is a huge priority when a company is looking for a new employee. An adaptable employee will be willing to take on new challenges, roles and responsibilities with a positive attitude.
Show that you’re adaptable in your interview by thinking of times when you’ve had to be flexible and take on new challenges at short notice.
Having good communication skills is arguably the most important soft skill to have. All tech jobs will require some sort of communication, be it physical or virtual. Being an effective communicator allows you to develop good working relationships with colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders. To be a good communicator, you must be able to adapt your tone and style based on who you’re talking to and how you’re talking to them.
You can demonstrate your communication skills in your interview by actively engaging with what your interviewer is saying and make sure your responses are clear and concise.
As much as being a team player is important to progress in your career, independent thinking is also key. Your employer will want to know that they can trust you to work independently and effectively, especially now
remote working is becoming more of a norm. Part of this independence involves being able to prioritise your workload successfully and manage your workload with minimal direction and supervision.
Ensure you talk about projects you worked on independently in your interview and highlight how you’ve effectively managed your workload.
You will come across problems in every job role you have in your career, it’s inevitable. But it’s how you approach these problems and work to solve them that your prospective employer will be concerned with. Approaching the issues with a calm and strategic nature will stand you in good stead for solving the problem effectively. You must also recognise that problem solving is often best delivered when working as a team by collaborating together to find a solution.
For your interview, think of an example in your career or studies where you’ve come across an unexpected problem, and explain to the interviewer how you worked to find a solution.
Particularly for managerial positions, it’s so important to be empathetic and have an advanced emotional intelligence.
In a survey by Career Builder, it was found that 71% of employers value emotional intelligence over IQ. So it’s essential that you understand the different needs, emotions and feelings other people may have.
Mental health has come to the forefront over the last few years, and a good manager can recognise and effectively help their employees through whatever problems they may have.
In your interview, talk about your passion for the industry, why you want the job and remember to be human, not a robot with pre-prepared answers to every question.
The final soft skill we think is key to landing a job in 2022 is leadership. It’s an obvious one, but every employer is hiring hoping that the candidate will grow in their career with the company. By showing great leadership qualities, you can demonstrate that given the opportunity to progress, you can take on more responsibility. And don’t worry if you haven’t got solid experience of managing a team, you can still display your skills by showing when you’ve taken on a leadership role in your career so far.
In your interview, talk about times when you’ve managed a project or people in the past. Maybe you led a group project at university, or took charge of a meeting in your previous role.
There’s no question that the 2022 job market will be competitive and fast-paced, but by showing a range of soft skills as well as technological experience, you’ll stand yourself in great stead for landing your dream role.